Harrisburg bishop leads prayerful procession to abortion clinic

Published: 2005-06-16

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Colleen Reilly has been a pro-life presence at the Hillcrest Women's Medical Center in Harrisburg for 15 years. Week after week, neither rain, sleet, snow, nor the unkind words and gestures of passers-by have daunted her from traveling from her home in Lebanon, Pa., to the abortion clinic. Over the years, Reilly has encouraged women to choose life for their babies, referred women to pro-life pregnancy centers, befriended new mothers and their children, and even watched as volunteers from the clinic joined the pro-life movement. Those days are forever embedded in her mind. For her, another monumental occasion came June 11, when Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Harrisburg was principal celebrant and homilist at a pro-life Mass and then led a procession to the clinic. There he joined with several hundred pro-lifers in praying the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet. The bishop helped initiate the monthly gatherings 15 years ago when he was pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Harrisburg.

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