Kristen and Matthews Grant, both converts to Catholicism and members of Holy Childhood in St. Paul, have attended almost every Prayer Service for Life at the Cathedral of St. Paul since they moved here in 2003.
They, again, plan to bring their daughters, Elizabeth, 5, and Cecilia, 3, to this year’s service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, which marks the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion.
“We want to teach our children that God calls us to show special compassion to those who are weak. . . . Attending this service with our daughters is one powerful way to convey that belief,” she said.
The 2003 prayer service was Kristen’s first public expression of her commitment, while she was serving as a minister in the United Methodist Church.
A sermon she preached on the topic began conversations about personal experiences with abortion within the congregation, she said. “It also was an important part of my journey to the Catholic Church because the truth of the church’s teaching on the life issues helped open my mind to the other truths of the Catholic faith.”
Last year, about 3,000 people attended the prayer service, sponsored by the Office of Marriage, Family and Life, which is followed by the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life march to the State Capitol for a rally.
