Ma Beck has this story at her blog, about Mass being said in the Detroit area for the 18 aborted babies found tossed in a dumpster behind the Woman Care abortion clinic on Southfield Road in Lathrup Village, Michigan.
I want to share a story that happened, gosh, maybe about 1998 at my own parish. Our pastor was Fr. Christopher Smith - now Vicar of Priests for the Diocese of Orange - and his associate was Fr. Al Baca - now pastor of St. Cecilia's in Tustin.
A newborn baby boy was abandoned in some bushes near the church and sadly, by the time he was discovered, he had died from exposure. I do not believe the mother was ever identified.
If my memory serves me correctly, after about a year lying unclaimed in the county morgue, the two priests asked that the body be released to St. Joseph's Church. The county agreed. They took the child, "gave" him the name Jose, and told the parishioners to come to his funeral to honor this little soul. A christening gown was purchased and I was told women from the parish washed and dressed his body.
I am tearing up now remembering that service. I can still picture the processional - rather than a casket being wheeled in by the funeral director, Fr. Al came down the aisle, cradling this tiny white coffin in his arms, that held the child. I cannot remember where he was laid to rest, but I think one of the parishioners donated a cemetary plot. While no dignity was given to Jose in his brief, brief life, at least this honor could be given to him in death.
Pray for these Michigan babies. Pray for Jose. Pray for all the children.
1 comment:
I have driven past that clinic countless. My parish is assigned to it by Priests for Life (to pray for it specifically). I know it well.
And Wayne State is my alma mater. I'm sorry it's making news like this.
Bishop Quinn is a good man.
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