ATLANTA-Over 85 pro-life leaders from the archdiocese attended the year's first meeting on Feb. 12 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church to learn more about their ministry and share ideas.

Over 40 parishes responded to the gathering, either by sending a representative or requesting further information. Participants ranged from experienced, long-time pro-life leaders to those who are forming new committees and others who merely are considering a commitment to the ministry.

The gathering included presentations by various pro-life leaders. Noreen Horrigan, director of Catholic Charities' Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Program, gave an overview of the program and how it has evolved over the years. Michelle Heekin, coordinator of training and development, followed with a detailed explanation of the program, along with suggestions for parish pro-life leaders and ways to assist when faced with being the first parish contact in an unexpected pregnancy situation.

Next, several parish pro-life coordinators reported how each parish implements the United States Bishops' Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. Detailed updates on the educational, public policy and pastoral components of the program were presented.

After lunch Father Hugh Marren, pastor of St. Benedict's Church Duluth, gave a presentation on effective pastor-pro-life committee relations. Father Marren presented several thought-provoking ideas on how the pro-life committee fits into the overall work of a parish as well as ways to promote the pro-life message in the parish. A discussion followed, giving the participants an opportunity to have a healthy dialogue on several important issues.

Mary Boyert, who was appointed archdiocesan pro-life director in December 1999, organized the meeting. She distributed surveys to all the participants covering the status of each parish pro-life committee and asked for input on the needs of the committees in each parish.

"We have made a great beginning and are looking forward to working with parishes to help implement the pro-life ministry in their parish," Boyert said.

Participants left the meeting with many new ideas, much reading material covering all aspects of pro-life work and the promise to grow and expand the excellent ground work begun by former pro-life director Peggy Sinanian.