Bishop Reicher Leads the March

On January 27, a powerful alliance of Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School students and dedicated members of Pro-life organizations across Waco converged to lead the Texas Rally for Life in Austin. This annual event draws thousands of Pro-life advocates from across the state to partake in a peaceful march to the Capitol, where they aim to elevate awareness and rally support for the sanctity of unborn children and their families. The opportunity to lead this march was not just an immense honor for the students of Bishop Louis Reicher; it marked a significant milestone in the journey of the BLR Pro-life Club, which was reestablished only two years ago. Sr. Maximilian Marie OP of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, theology teacher, and club sponsor, has witnessed a surge in enthusiasm and student involvement, saying, "It's truly exciting that we've grown from just two or three students the first year... maybe seven last year, and now we have 32 going. I'm genuinely proud of their openness and [willingness] to take a stand."

Mercy Villa, President of the Pro-Life Club, echoes this sentiment, stating, "I'm excited to be in Austin with all those other people and be a witness for that. This really is what I believe in, even though some people are against that." According to Mercy, being Pro-life means valuing the lives of those around you. Her passion for the cause led her to attend the rally with fellow Bishop Reicher students in January 2023. Now, a year later, after meticulous planning and increased community involvement, the number of students and faculty attending the march has nearly doubled.

The day commenced with an early morning departure, accompanied by a blessing from Fr. Ryan Hidgon, Pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco. Following mass at the UT University Catholic Center with Bishop Michael Sis (San Angelo) and a quick lunch, the students arrived at the Capitol and took their place at the front of the march. Bearing the rally banner, along with American and Texas flags, the students of Bishop Reicher led thousands in a march around downtown Austin. At the march's conclusion, they took their places behind the speakers on the Capitol steps. The students received personal greetings from Bishop Sis and Bishop Vasquez, who led the invocation. The roster of speakers, including an abortion survivor, a medical professional, and the mother of a Trisomy baby, left an indelible impact. They also had the privilege of meeting Dr. Joe Pojman, Executive Director of the Texas Alliance for Life, at whose invitation they led the march.

The unforgettable experience left a profound impression on the students. Damon Ortiz, a sophomore who carried one of the flags behind the banner, was particularly moved by the testimony of Dr. Heywood Robinson, a former abortionist. Ortiz reflects, "God changed him and led him to realize what he was doing...it kind of shows how much God loves us, so no matter what you do, you can always find your way back to him." Ivanna Menchu, a freshman, felt energized witnessing the support of so many Pro-life advocates, stating, "I think I really liked it, it felt empowering because you're doing something for the cause. I'm Pro-life because every life deserves a chance." Nancy Saucedo, a junior, emphasizes the importance of witnessing for life as a demonstration of the authenticity of their Catholic faith, commenting, "We actually believe in what we're preaching, that every life matters." Andrea Sanker, a senior and a pioneer in the Pro-life movement at Bishop Louis Reicher, expressed gratitude for the significant turnout, saying, "I'm grateful to witness the number of people who wanted to come today and stand up, especially at a big event like this with thousands of people coming to it."

The remarkable growth of the Pro-life Club at Bishop Reicher stems from a genuine desire to spread the message of hope and mercy to mothers and babies. Over the past two years, students have actively participated in events such as 40 Days for Life, state and local Pro-life fundraising Galas, and community outreach projects, including stuffing blessing bags and cards for local women in crisis pregnancies. Community support, especially from local Pro-life advocate Aine Fitzgerald, who has been a “guardian angel” for the club, has been instrumental in helping the members become more confident in their message and mission.

From parent volunteers to faculty chaperones, and with the blessings of Catholic chaplains, the Bishop Reicher community wholeheartedly supports the students on the front lines. Dr. Michael Pennell, Head of School, expresses unwavering support for the Pro-life club, stating, "Even with the overthrow of Roe v. Wade, standing up for life is more critical than ever." He continues, "To see our students stand up for life, gather together, and want to go to Austin is just an awesome witness that I'm so proud of." Dr. Whitney Dudik, High-School Principal, agrees, noting that while abortion is a divisive topic, the Pro-life Club fosters unity by equipping members to engage in serious, meaningful conversations. She says, "I think the Pro-life club brings vitality to the school because they believe so much in how life begins at conception…, and their values are expressed to their peers and parents. Sometimes their peers ask them tough questions, and because they have respect for each other, they're able to answer those tough questions regarding abortion."

It is crucial for high schoolers to witness their peers mentoring and growing the Pro-life message: that every life, no matter how small, unplanned, or undesired, is a gift from God. Sr. Maximilian Marie emphasizes, "Their voices have so much weight, their witness has so much weight." Dr. Pennell underscores the importance of having a Pro-life club on campus, stating, "It brings awareness of the struggle that we face with abortion being available at so many places throughout the country and the world. With that awareness comes a conviction that ‘I can do something about it in my witness, in my love of children, in my support for life, in attending events and educating others, and I can start as a high-school student and continue on that through my adult life.’”

While leading the crowd this year, the Bishop Louis Reicher Pro-life Club acknowledges that as long as women, children, and families remain vulnerable, there will be room to grow and work to do. Sister Maximilian Marie adds, "We're just following the Holy Spirit." She and the club members look forward to continuing the mission, recognizing that the accomplishments of the past year are just the initial steps on the Pro-life journey.