Oct. 12, 2022

By Mary Beth Bracy
Contributing writer

PLATTSBURGH – On October 2, Champlain Valley Right to Life (CVRTL) hosted the 35th annual Life Chain in Plattsburgh. Similar events were held in both Potsdam and Saranac Lake.

In Plattsburgh, several people gathered in quiet, peaceful, and prayerful witness for the sacredness and dignity of human life. The response of those driving by was overwhelmingly supportive. Participants held signs to testify to the gift of life and many commented on the lovely weather we were blessed with for the day.

Deacon Kenneth Lushia, CVRTL vice president, shared, “It is Respect Life Sunday, (and we gather to proclaim respect for life) from conception to natural death. It is a great way to witness to our belief. A good thing to reflect on is today’s Gospel which says ‘Jesus give us more faith.’ As we go along (in our pro-life work) we can say ‘Jesus give us more faith.’ We can come to make abortion something from the past. What a beautiful day it is… We got to experience a little taste of Heaven with the fall colors, many children will never experience this.”

Other participants echoed his sentiments.

“It’s encouraging to be here with God’s people to stand with those who are so vulnerable and there is no way we can quit,” Jim Akey reflected.

Marsha Brean emphasized, “We’ll be here as long as it takes. We know that we stand with the most vulnerable and there is no way we can quit.”

“All I could think was that the Make-A-Wish people were on every corner collecting, and there was so much beautiful generosity in giving to that cause, to bring joy to ill children,” said Dorothy McDevitt. “And how great it would be to have that generosity to allow children to be born. What greater wish?”

“I want to thank Nancy Belzile (CVRTL President) for once again organizing this and making it possible for us to gather this year,” continued Deacon Lushia, adding, “It’s been 35 years. I think it was interesting that we were standing near the political signs. We still have faith in the system of our great nation, and our Supreme Court. If we lose faith in that we’re really in trouble as a nation.”

September 28 also began the fall campaign for 40 Days for Life (40DFL) in Plattsburgh, Watertown and throughout the world. CVRTL is encouraging people to sign up and join other Christians to pray in front of the registered 40DFL vigil sites from now through November 6, 2022. In Plattsburgh the vigil site is Planned Parenthood and participants are invited to sign up and pray there between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. In Watertown, prayers will gather from 12: 30 to 1:30 p.m. across the street from Planned Parenthood.

The prayerful presence of the faithful is powerful, CVRTL related. It has been shown to lower client appointments by over 70%.

People are also encouraged to fast and pray for a victory of life in our world. Deacon Lushia said, “We ask everyone to pray the Rosary each and every day, for our Blessed Virgin Mary has asked us to do so!”

Champlain Valley Right to Life is an educational not-for-profit organization in New York that helps mothers and babies. Their events include: Life Chain, Christmas Peace in the Womb Caroling, Pro-life Movies, 40 Days for Life, Good Friday Stations of the Cross, educational trips and letter writing to NY State Legislators, Clinton County Fair booth, and the local March for Life.

Visit their website at https://www.cvrtlny.com/ and click on “Get Involved” to stay up to date.

For more information, check out 40 Days for Life’s website which has numerous resources https://www.40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/plattsburgh/