SPRINGFIELD — It’s been more than 50 years since a geneticist approached Alice and Alan Zedonis about an abortion, yet the couple remember the conversation like it was yesterday.
The medical professional told the Easthampton couple while discussing the health of their unborn baby that if they wanted to test the baby for Down syndrome through amniocentesis, they would need to promise to have an abortion if it were discovered.
“I immediately said ‘no.’ … It was surprising,” Alice Zedonis recounted.
Today, the Zedonises, who describe themselves as pro-life and attend Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Easthampton, have four children and several grandchildren.
This week, with umbrellas in hand, the couple stood outside the Western Massachusetts Health Center of Springfield, run by the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, encouraging passersby to pray to end abortion.
“A lot of people think it’s a religious issue, but it’s really a humanity issue,” Alan Zedonis said. “If the strong don’t stand for the weak, who will?”
The Zedonises were one of more than 20 people who were bundled up with blankets and hooded jackets lining the street as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield’s 40 Days for Life fall campaign. As the rain transitioned from a drizzle to a heavy downpour, several juggled umbrellas with their rosaries extended in prayer in one hand and signs encouraging people to reconsider having an abortion in another.
The ecumenical effort is part of an international campaign that aims to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of places that perform abortions. This is the first time the campaign has been held since Roe v. Wade was overturned, though the effort has taken place annually since 2007.
Since Sept. 28, people from parishes throughout the Pioneer Valley have signed up to stand outside the Western Massachusetts Health Center of Springfield from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The campaign runs until Sunday, Nov. 6.
The Rev. Dan Pacholec, director of pro-life activities in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield and pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Westfield, noted that the crowd of people who had assembled make it a point to keep things peaceful. In fact, no one stands on private property or near entrances in an attempt to block entry.
“I think it’s the hope every day that as people come by, they see people committed to prayer and to supporting life in the womb, and that hearts change. … There’s no arm-twisting,” Pacholec said. “The experience of standing up publicly in prayer for a cause that’s so important for our faith, and for the protection of children in the womb, is just wonderful to see.”
According to the diocese, the international campaign has helped save more than 22,000 babies from abortion. Locally, organizers report that they know of at least 26 babies who have been saved.
“No woman I have ever met has ever come back after keeping their baby and said, ‘Darn, I wish you weren’t here,’ ya know? They always come back and say, ‘I’m so glad you’re here,’” said Tim Biggins, leader of the Springfield campaign.
Biggins, who attends Holy Name in Springfield, has been leading the local campaign since it began 15 years ago.
“It’s saving lives and helping women,” Biggins said.
In a statement to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Planned Parenthood said: “Facts are facts: abortion is health care and patients deserve to make their own health care decisions with medical professionals, free from intimidation or judgment. PPLM’s focus is on delivering excellent health care that allows our patients to live healthy lives, care for their families and determine their futures.”
Carolee McGrath, who works for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, said at one point last week, she stood alone praying at the health center. In a matter of minutes, she said, she was quickly joined by several others.
“The idea is to have someone covering each shift of the day,” she said.
McGrath, who attends Saint Cecilia Church in Wilbraham, has been involved in the anti-abortion movement since her youngest of five children was an infant. To her, following an ultrasound is following science.
“I need to be here,” she said. “No one is going to speak for these babies. I need to step up and be here and pray for them. Prayer is a powerful way to get the message out. People may think I’m a weirdo and may even give me a one-finger wave, but if I can change even one person’s mind, it’s worth the risk.”
Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.
