On April 19, the Sisters of Life will present the John Cardinal O’Connor award to Dolores Meehan and Eva Muntean, the co-chairs and co-founders of San Francisco’s Walk for Life West Coast. The Sisters write of the recipients:
“As women of faith in the forefront of a transformative movement, their commitment and vision have inspired new voices in the public square to proclaim that every human life is a sacred gift; and that the dignity and vocation of woman can only be realized without violence – when brothers and sisters step forth in the solidarity of love and communion.”
The two were leaders in the group which founded the Walk for Life West Coast in 2005. Despite ongoing opposition from San Francisco’s political establishment, and unethical negligence on the part of San Francisco’s media establishment, the Walk has grown every year. It is the second largest annual pro-life event in the United States, and in 2012 counted over 50,000 in attendance. Ms. Meehan and Ms. Muntean join previous honorees who include Timothy Cardinal Dolan (2012); Maria Marchetti, Gene D’Agostino, and Tom Kolenberg , pro-life parishioners of the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford, CT (2011); Mary Ann Glendon J.D., LL. M., United States Ambassador to the Holy See, and the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University (2010); Supreme Knight of Columbus Mr. & Mrs. Carl Anderson, Knight of Columbus, (2009); and Professor Robert George (2007).
Another co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast, Lisa Hamrick, who serves as the Walk’s liason with the Sisters, said: “We had long known of the Sisters and their work, yet we wanted to have this more personal connection to them in and through the Walk for Life. So, at the Third Annual Walk for Life in 2007, the WFL committee members used their airline miles to fly six of the Sisters of Life out from New York. The Little Sisters of the Poor and the Carmelite Nuns graciously offered to lodge the Sisters for us, and we are very grateful to them… Just as the Walk for Life has continued to grow and expand through the years, so has the presence of the Sisters of Life. In 2009, Mother Agnes Donovan, the Superior General of the Sisters was one of our speakers. At the last Walk for Life on January 26, 2013 we had eleven Sisters of Life participate with us -- they took up the Gifts at the Offertory at the WFL Mass, they host a table at the WFL Info Faire, and of course marched with us. The WFL participants love to see the Sisters and they have even had some vocations to their Order as a result of their participation. And this year the Sisters established a new tradition: the night before the Walk, they hosted "A Vigil for Life." It consisted of talks, time for quiet prayer and adoration, reflective music, confessions, and Mass celebrated by Bishop Daly of the San Jose Diocese.”
Eva Muntean said “While I am humbled and honored beyond belief to receive this award, I accept it only on the behalf of all my brothers and sisters at the Walk for Life West Coast. We are anything but a two-woman operation. The Walk was founded by a group of us and it is continued by that same group and others too. This honor is for us all!”
The evening begins with a 5:15 PM Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of Our Savior at 38th Street and Park Avenue. Cocktails will follow at 6:30 PM and dinner at 7:30 PM at the Union League Club, 38 E. 37th Street, New York City. For further information or tickets, please contact Carol Stockley at 732.530.8799. RSVp’s due by April 5. All proceeds benefit the work of the Sisters of Life. The Sisters were founded by John Cardinal O’Connor in 1991, for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of human life.
Donation information may be found by going to: www.sistersoflife.org/donations or by mail to Friends of the Sisters, 100 Leedsville Drive, Lincroft, NJ 17738.
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