 |
||
 |
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
PARENTS, DOCTORS TO RECEIVE DIOCESAN PRO VITA AWARDS
A Long Island woman who rejected advice that she abort a child afflicted with a fatal genetic condition will receive a Pro Vita Award at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s 18th annual Sanctity of Life Mass in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Christine Nugent will be honored, along with her husband Paul, a New York City Fire Department lieutenant, who supported her decision, and two pro-life obstetricians: Dr. Robert F. Scanlon, Jr., and Dr. John R. Wagner.
The Nugents reside in Huntington and the physicians are affiliated with Huntington Hospital.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will be the principal celebrant and will preach the homily at the Mass.
The Nugents’ third child, Grace Anne, was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 before she was born in July, 2002. The condition severely affects all organ systems and is prevalent in one of 6,000 to 8,000 live births in the United States.
Less than ten percent of children born with the disorder survive beyond the first year of life. Grace lived with her family, including sisters Anne, nine, and Katie, six, for two months.
Mrs. Catherine Bala, director of the diocesan Family Life/Respect Life Ministry Office, said the Nugents’ decision to carry the baby to term was made “despite the advice of many friends, acquaintances and medical professionals.”
On Grace’s first birthday, the Nugents launched a Web site to provide support and encouragement to families who receive an adverse fatal diagnosis.
Dr. Scanlon supported the parents in their decision and Dr. Wagner collaborated with him in developing a birth plan for the child.
Mrs. Bala said the physicians’ “commitment to the sanctity of human life has guided their professional practice.”
A Pro Vita Award will also be presented to Immaculate Conception parish in Astoria, where many parishioners are involved in pro-life activities, according to Mrs. Bala.
Under the leadership of the pastor, Msgr. Charles P. Boccio, proceeds from baby showers have aided crisis pregnancy centers, parishioners have lobbied legislators in Washington and Albany and attend monthly prayer vigils in the Diocese, candidates for Confirmation are encouraged to pursue pro-life programs, pro-life prayers have been offered for 16 years at daily Eucharistic adoration and a chapel contains a statue of Mary, Mother of the Unborn,
Mass is celebrated annually for mother who mourn the loss of children who have died through abortion, stillbirth or miscarriage. The Knights of Columbus maintain an outdoor shrine dedicated to these children.
Also to be honored are 12 elementary and high school students who were singled out for poster of poems or essays submitted to a Respect Life Contest
The first-, second- and third-place selections in each category are:
High schools: poem or essay---Christopher Galliano, Msgr. McClancy, Jackson Heights; Sharaya Gardner and Dalea Dyer, both Catherine McAuley, Brooklyn; poster: Natoya Persaud, Catherine McAuley, Matthew McLaughlin, Msgr. McClancy, and Jessica Kenefick, Bishop Kearney, Brooklyn.
Elementary schools: poem or essay---Irenae Aigbedion, St. Francis Xavier, Brooklyn; Caitlin Sarubbi, St. Agnes Seminary, Brooklyn, and Jessica Segarra, St. Nicholas, Brooklyn; poster: Connor Coffey, Holy Family, Flushing; Kevin McKelvey, St. Rose of Lima, Rockaway Beach, and David Monplaisir, St. Francis Xavier, Brooklyn.
Previous recipients of Pro Vita Awards have included the late Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, the late Governor Robert P. Casey of Pennsylvania, former Astoria Assemblyman Denis J. Butler and journalist Nat Hentoff.
|
||