Benkovic to highlight annual Catholic Life Network fundraiser

By Mary Ann Wyand

Eternal Word Television Network host and author Johnnette Benkovic is the keynote speaker for the Catholic Pro-Life Dinner on March 3 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

Benkovic is the host and executive producer of “The Abundant Life” program, seen internationally on EWTN, and the Catholic Radio host of the “Living His Life Abundantly” and “Moments of Truth Live” programs.

The third annual fundraiser is presented by Catholic Life Network, which promotes Catholic teaching about the sanctity and dignity of human life. Dinner proceeds benefit the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry and the Gabriel Project of Indiana.

Members of the Abba Father chapter of Catholics United for the Faith work with Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, director of the pro-life office, and St. Bartholomew parishioner Eileen Hartman of Columbus, director of the Gabriel Project, to present the fundraiser.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein has asked Catholics to support the pro-life dinner.

“In doing so,” the archbishop said, “you advance the goals of these three groups as they conduct Catholic evangelization and pastoral outreach to those adversely affected by the culture of death.”

The dinner begins at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of the Radisson Hotel at 31 W. Ohio St. Tickets purchased by Feb. 15 are $40 for adults, $30 for students and $350 to reserve a table for 10 people.

In addition to Benkovic’s keynote address, the event will recognize the pro-life ministries of a diocesan priest and six lay volunteers in central and southern Indiana.

Father Shaun Whittington, chaplain and religion teacher at Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison, will be honored with a Pro Vita Award for founding the Shield of Roses pro-life ministry last year while serving as associate pastor of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.

Christ the King parishioner Liz Sowinski of Indianapolis and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishioner Kathy Sadler of Carmel, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese, also will receive Pro Vita Awards for distinguished pro-life work as Gabriel Project volunteers.

Also receiving Pro Vita Awards are St. Pius X parishioners Tom and Jackie Quarto of Indianapolis, who will be honored for their exemplary service to the archdiocesan Birthline ministry, and St. John the Apostle parishioner Pat Car of Bloomington and St. Thomas More parishioner Bernadette Roy of Mooresville, who will be recognized for facilitating the archdiocesan post-abortion reconciliation ministry through Rachel’s Companions and Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats.

Sister Diane said pro-life ministries operate on very limited budgets and need financial support to continue serving people in need.

“The Office for Pro-Life Ministry and the Gabriel Project depend on donations to make possible various pro-life projects, initiatives and charitable works in the archdiocese,” she said. “All our efforts on behalf of life require funding to be effective.”

Archdiocesan ministries include educational programs, post-abortion healing and an annual pro-life pilgrimage for youth as well as material assistance and crisis pregnancy intervention through Birthline services.

The Gabriel Project has 35 parish-based groups in Indiana that network to help women and families experiencing crisis pregnancies by providing the practical support they need to carry their babies to term.

Last year, 133 women were documented by Truth and Compassion Ministry in Indiana as having walked away from an abortion clinic, Hartman said, and 134 babies were saved because one mother was pregnant with twins.

“We thank God for the opportunity to defend the rights of women, who deserve love and not abortion,” she said. “The sidewalk counselors offer those women help from the Gabriel Project and assure them that they are not alone. We are waiting to love and help them as our sisters in Christ.”

The Gabriel Project relies on volunteer support and donations, Hartman said. “The other amazing thing about this project is that it provides a way for an entire parish to become active in pro-life work at a very up-close and personal level.”

(To purchase tickets for the Catholic Pro-Life Dinner, call the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry at 317-236-1569 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1569, before the Feb. 24 deadline. Tickets purchased after Feb. 15 are $45 each or $400 per table.) †