Phillip Scharper, the late Catholic publisher, once said that “only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.”

On January 22, 1973 when the highest court in the land handed down the Roe vs Wade decision there were those Catholics whose Faith was all about seeing the invisible who set out to do the impossible.

From that time on the nascent pro-life movement began to grow exponentially into what is likely the greatest and longest-lasting grassroots movement in the history of the United States.

Most importantly it is not just a protest movement that tends to lose steam because it is essentially negative, but it has transformed itself into a positive outreach that does not simply wait for someone do “do something” about stopping abortions but has taken up the baton and run with it.

On March 26th once again the ballroom at the Hilton Anatole will be packed with those who labor on behalf of the unborn and their supporters. Last year there were nearly 2500. Maybe they can stretch to walls to make it 3000 in 2011.

What are these outreach programs of which I speak? Project Gabriel and the GEMS,
Rachel Retreats, Abortion After-care, lobbying in Austin and Washington, Speakers Bureau and outreach to the Hispanic community.

In addition diocesan agencies like Catholic Charities provide alternatives to abortion through its adoption program and Children and Adoption Services and Community Outreach (CASCO) provides help and creates hope for families and individuals through three main programs: Maternity and Adoption, the Mary R. Saner Child Development Center, our Together We Learn program and St. Joseph Residence. We are respecting and protecting life from conception to natural death.

The diocese cooperates with community programs like Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) a nonprofit organization of volunteers who are appointed by judges to make recommendations that help judges decide where abused and neglected children can live safely and permanently.

Our Safe Environment Office works closely with parishes and non-parish based organizations and with community and government agencies to insure the safety and security of our children and vulnerable-adults.

We’re not there yet. Roe vs. Wade is still on the books, but we are doing a lot more than just protesting and wringing our hands.

The mustard seed has become a tree.