On Saturday March 21, our first annual Respect Life Leaders and Volunteers Workshop took place at Simon and Jude in West Chester.
65 pro-life leaders and volunteers attended. The purpose was to hear Best Practices from experienced Parish Leaders and to develop an Action Plan for your parish in the next year.They heard outstanding presentations from Eileen Christian and Jo Christof from St Peter’s in West Brandywine, Stephanie Tobin from Assumption BVM in West Grove, Ted Meehan and Dot Stipa from St. Anastasia in Newtown Square, Kathryn Slaats from St Patrick’s in Malvern and Margaret Strate from Saints Simon and Jude in West Chester.
In addition, Chris Massaro from Biking for Babies and Bevin Landrum from Heroic Media enlightened us on what their organizations do and how they can assist the Pro-Life Movement. Other organizations in attendance were Chester County Connect Care, Birthright of West Chester, 40 Days for Life, Pro Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, and The Rosary of the Unborn Ministry.
We all enjoyed a Box Lunch supplied by Aquilante Catering. The lunch was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of St Patrick Parish in Kennett Square and Mike McMonagle from Pa Pro-Life Education Fund.
We have asked each parish to submit their action plan for next year so we can review how it went.
Finally, I would like to thank Saints Simon and Jude parish for co-sponsoring the workshop along with Chester County Pro Life Coalition. I hope to see you all next year. God Bless you and your families.
Dave Owsik
