First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott

On January 20, 2019, the 40th Rally for Life and the first Alamo March for Life in San Antonio were held at the Alamo. They were sponsored by San Antonio Family Association, aka SAFA which is led by three members of the Knights of Columbus, Michael Knuffke, Danny Petri and Patrick Von Dohlen, PGK.

On a day blessed by clear skies and a warm sun, several prolife speakers addressed the importance of the prolife movement and to continue to press for legislation that protects the unborn.

The keynote speaker, First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott came to her home town to celebrate life. She stated that she was proud of San Antonians’ steadfast commitment in protecting and defending life. In her passionate address on the unborn she said that, “Protecting frightened mothers and their unborn children will always be a priority for Greg and for me.” She continued, “We have always vigorously defended life.”

The First Lady spoke about the adoption of their only child, a daughter. “Our lives were forever changed the moment Greg and I held our daughter in our arms. And each day we thank God for the precious gift of Audrey’s life.” Women who are strong enough who give up their children for adoption need so much support because they are making such an incredible sacrifice. It is vitally important that we lift them up and surround them with love and support. “We strongly promote adoption as a loving alternative in a child’s life.”

Texas is again leading the way in protecting innocent life. In Texas partial birth abortion and dismemberment abortions are now banned. The sale or donation of baby body parts are prohibited. No Texan will be forced to pay for insurance that covers abortions. And we require burial or cremation when a baby is lost to abortion. We will make sure that the sanctity and the dignity of human life is protected in the Lone Star state. Like you, Greg and I are 100% committed to protecting unborn children and promoting a culture of life in Texas. “We will continue to protect, defend and celebrate life in Texas.”

In Texas alone we have over 4,673,500 Catholics and 3,519 459 Southern Baptist Convention and Evangelicals. Between these alone, Texas has over 8 million people who could take part in the rallies held throughout Texas. According to the archdiocese of San Antonio website there are 796,964 Catholics in the diocese. The key is how to mobilize and how to entice people to attend at least one rally or march per year. While the lay person can do a fair amount of promoting the prolife events, the parish priest and pastors of their church can do much more to influence their flocks. IF every priest or pastor were to just announce the Prolife March for Life in DC, the Texas Rally for Life in Austin and the rallies of each city from the pulpit imagine the turnout.

SA Chapter President, Tom Krueger and Sir Knights of the 4^th Degree presented the ACE Special Forces wings to First Lady Cecilia Abbott and Ret. Bishop Michael Pfeifer, Diocese of San Angelo. Bishop Mike life his friend, Ret. Bishop John W. Yanta of Amarillo made it a priority to eradicate all abortion facilities from his diocese and by his hard work in conjunction with prolifers and the grace of the Holy Spirit were successful. The San Antonio Family Association helped raise the first half of the money for one of the first Ultrasound Machines in San Antonio in cooperation with Parish Councils of St. Mark the Evangelist 7613, St. Helena’s 7965 and St. Pius X 4298. Sir Knight Krueger also shared the incredible news that the KCs had just donated the 1000^th Ultrasound Machine nationwide.

Patrick Von Dohlen, PGK and Mike Knuffke, both Board Members of SAFA and members of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish Council 7613. Danny Petri is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish 7016.