b'NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE, continuedEssentialThey come in droves and areeven financially supporting some of the sites.always willing to help.They areThe Respect Life poster contest again took place for all youth silent in word but powerful in ac- in grades 5-8 in the Diocese.Rosary rallies appeared in front of tion.They are essential.Whoabortion clinics.A virtual bible study for those who have had an are they?Our healthcare work- abortion began.The advocating, defending and protecting life ers,ouremergencypersonal?from the womb to the tomb continued.It had to.It is essential.No, they are the Knights of Co- January brought the anniversary of Roe v Wade.Bishop lumbus in the Diocese of Savan- Parkes celebrated a special Mass for the National Day of Prayer nah.79 parishes and missions,for the Legal Protection of the Unborn at the Cathedral Basilica 37,038squaremiles,77,200+of St. John the Baptist and our Knights were in attendance. Catholics in the Diocese of Sa- While 275 people made a pilgrimage to Washington DC for the vannah, and the Knights of Co- national March for Life in 2020 with the financial support of the lumbus are throughout it all. Knights, zero were able to attend in 2021 due to the pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic mightand security concerns.That did not stop the Diocese of Sa-Bishop Parks Ultrasoundhavesloweddownbusinessesvannah from having their own March.Over 500 people from Blessing in March 2021 andeventsbutitdidnotstopthroughout the diocese came to Macon and marched for life those in the Diocese from advocating, defending and protect- and for the overturning of Roe v Wade.The Knights marched ing life from the womb to the tomb.Although our Church doorswith them.were closed for a little over two months, the abortion clinicsTheDioceseofSavannahMarriage,FamilyandRespect were not.Our people continued to pray for those who wereLife Office is very grateful to the Knights of Columbus in South contemplating an abortion, for those who had an abortion, andGeorgia.It is only by working together that we are able to build they contacted our legislators advocating for laws to protecta culture of life that respects all life from the womb to the tomb. the unborn.The Knights also prayed and continued to raiseThank you Knights of Columbus in South Georgia. You are es-funds for ultrasound machine initiatives for pro-life agencies insential!Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before the diocese. you were born I dedicated you. Jeremiah 1:5The prayers and advocating continued all summer and intoJayne MJ StefanicOctober and Respect Life Month.Respect Life Month is a des- Director of Marriage, Family and Respect Lifeignated month by the United States Conference of CatholicDiocese of SavannahBishops.It is a nationwide effort to help Catholics understand, value, and become engaged with building a culture of life that respects all life from the womb to the tomb.The first Sunday of October is recognized as Respect Life Sunday. Respect Life Sunday is also the day recognized for Life Chain. Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of individ-uals praying for the sanctity of all life.With the blessing of our new Bishop, Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, the diocesan Respect Life Office held its first public event since the pandem-ic.Fourteen Life Chain sites were held throughout the Diocese. Social distancing and masks did not stop record numbers of people in attendance at most of the sites.The Knights were right in the midst of it all showing up to pray, hold signs andLife Chain in SavannahFamilySt. Joseph Council 4599, Marietta, Georgia in conjunction with SVdP packed over 200 boxes for distribution to Thanks-giving recipients.In addition to the traditional turkey, the boxes included rice, canned vegetables, canned fruit and a dessert. As a bonus, the children received goodie bags. Volunteers in-cluded Brother Knights, SVdP members, and youths.Due to Covid-19, recipients drove thru the delivery station. Thank you Knights of Columbus for the Thanksgiving box. We thought we were not going to be able to have a Turkey this year and then I saw your email about the Turkey box this past Sunday Morn-ing. I loaded the family in the car and we were on our mission for our Thanksgiving Dinner. Submitted by Marvin Wolgast, DGK, St. Joseph Council 4599, Marietta, Georgia.97'