To the Editor:

Every October Catholic churches nationwide celebrate Respect Life month. This year’s theme is “The Infant in My Womb Leaped for Joy.” (Luke 1:44). Incidentally October fourth is observed as the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in the Catholic Church as well. Many Christians see Francis as a symbol of one who loved the Lord of all of creation.

This past October fourth Batesville welcomed Norma McCorvey who once was the symbol of pro choice. She is known as the “Jane Roe” of the Roe versus Wade decision to legalize abortion on that fateful day January 22, 1973. Miss McCorvey has since become a Christian and has been received into the Catholic Church. As pastor of Catholics in Panola County I wanted to also leap for joy as I witnessed Christians of several denominations come together in our Catholic center not only to welcome Miss McCorvey but more significantly to unite in celebrating the precious and sacred gift of life.

I wish to congratulate the ecumenical spirit of that celebration. Thank God we Christians could come together in a spirit of prayer and thankfulness for the gift of life and to share food donated by the various churches. In the almost five years I have pastored in Panola County this was a highpoint of my ecumenical relations. I pray that one day  all Christians will be able to celebrate the oneness our Lord prayed for: “That they may be one in us, and that the world may know that you sent me.” (John 17:21)

May God bless our efforts,
Father Samuel J. Messina