Hawarden dedicates Respect Life Memorial

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted Oct.10, 2002

HAWARDEN - Fittingly in October, during Respect Life Month, St. Mary's Parish dedicated a new Respect Life Memorial.

The idea for the project came from Curt Winterfeld, a parishioner at St. Mary's and member of the Knights of Columbus, "Our Lady of Hope" Council 4132.

The celebration was held at the Hawarden parish on Oct. 5 starting with 5 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, followed by a 6 p.m. dedication ceremony.

"This was a fun project and it fell together so nice," said Father LeRoy Seuntjens, pastor at St. Mary's, in opening comments of the dedication service. He extended thanks to the Knights and all who played a part in making the project happen.

The KC council's Grand Knight, David Larsen, pointed out that the memorial was a dream in progress for two or three years. He extended special gratitude to Winterfeld, who contributed not only the idea of the memorial but also much labor, and Father Seuntjens, who sought additional support for the project that enabled it to expand from its original plans.

Initially, they were going to have a small cement statue of Mary, however, Jean Lynott and family volunteered to purchase the "Madonna della Strata" (Mary in a shawl, holding the Christ child) from Italy. Then, Connie Maher offered to purchase a granite memorial stone with a special inscription to the unborn as a remembrance to her husband, the late Joe Maher.

"I would like to thank all of the workers from Council 4132 who came to the work sessions. Over 250 man hours of labor were contributed to get this project completed," said Larsen. "As a grand knight, I salute you for your persistence. This is something our council and parish can be proud of."

Bishop DiNardo, before blessing the statue, noted that in the tradition of the church, Mary holds the Christ-child to "offer him to us so we might follow him."

He described Mary as the poor and lowly servant who trusted solely in her Lord. The bishop continued, "Father, may your children who have provided this statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and this memorial of all human life know her protection and trace in their hearts the pattern of her holiness. Bless the people of St. Mary's Parish with faith, hope, love and humility. Bless them with strength in hardship and self respect in poverty. Bless them with patience in adversity and kind heartedness and generosity in times of plenty."

The bishop said he couldn't help but notice that some of the former marble from the Communion rail was used in the memorial. He asked the people to "remember that Communion is the place where we have intimacy with the Lord" and he noted that the rails were placed in "such a capacity that we know that Communion extends outside the church and becomes a way in which we are to live."

Communion rails from St. Mary's were used as four pillars at the corners of the cement patio. Inscribed on the pillars are the four principles the Knights of Columbus stand and strive for - charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

"The Knights of Columbus have been promoting pro-life causes such as Birthright for a long time," said Larsen. "We thought we would incorporate our principles along with the respect life memorial."

In addition to the work of the KCs on the actual memorial, the Knights also gave of their time to enhance the landscaping. Larsen pointed out that they laid stepping stones on the lawn leading up to the memorial and contributed two benches so people could pray and meditate there.

Connie Maher noted that an anonymous donor, who she referred to as "a special angel," helped her to purchase the memorial to the unborn in honor of her husband. The late Deacon Maher, who died in Oct. of 2001, had served as the KC council's chaplain. He was also editor of The Globe for more than 20 years.

"He had counseled a lot of women who were going to have abortions and some who had already had abortions," said Maher, adding that her husband strongly believed in respecting life from the moment of conception until natural death.

Greg Lynott, the son of Jean and the late Robert Lynott, said that his father always loved the Virgin Mary.

Physical work began on the memorial on June 6. Winterfeld, who came up with the idea to use the Communion rail in the memorial, pointed out that finishing touches were being applied Oct. 4.

With the memorial located outside the church, he said, "If it can help stop just one person from having an abortion, this is worth it."