Events include Fr. McCormick lecture, LifeFest
Notre Dame Right to Life (RtL) launched its 52nd year of programming with several events focused on building community within the club. These included a lecture featuring Father Pete McCormick, C.S.C., as well as the club’s annual “LifeFest” celebration on South Quad and a bonfire.
Almost one hundred students gathered in Carey auditorium on August 31 to hear Fr. McCormick—Assistant Vice President of Campus Ministry and chaplain of the Notre Dame men’s basketball team—speak about the attitude of Notre Dame’s pro-life movement.
RtL President Jackie Nguyen told the Rover, “Hosting Fr. Pete for our opening lecture this year was an incredible way to kick off the semester. His focus on friendship resonates with the message of the Gospel of Life, reminding us that what we owe each other is true friendship. It is through this friendship that we can build a genuine culture of life, transforming Right to Life from a mere student organization into a community of friends committed to upholding each other’s dignity that will last, for life.”
Throughout his lecture, Fr. McCormick emphasized the need to cultivate humility, joyfulness, and generosity as a foundation for spreading the pro-life message. He included many personal anecdotes throughout the talk that stressed the importance of forging sincere relationships with others, especially those one disagrees with.
While highlighting the need to foster unity, Fr. McCormick also underscored the importance of genuinely defending the pro-life issue. Though he did not touch on any specific pro-life policy issues, Fr. McCormick reiterated his commitment to the pro-life cause afterwards, telling the Rover, “We are called to bear witness to God’s heart in the most loving and compassionate way possible. This means recognizing the sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural death. Our commitment to being pro-life is rooted in the belief that every person is a unique and unrepeatable reflection of God’s love.”
Reactions to the opening lecture were largely positive and many admired Fr. McCormick’s joyful call for unity. Sophomore Braeden Smith remarked, “It was really great, it’s not everyday you get to hear a speech from Fr. Pete. … His perspective made me kind of realize more that only through building [meaningful] relationships can we tackle the root of the issue.”
Building on the energy of their opening lecture, RtL continued their 2024 kickoff week with the club’s annual “LifeFest” celebration on South Quad the next day. The event included free food and opportunities to buy RtL merch, as well as tabling by pro-life groups such as Right to Life Michiana, Campus Ministry, and Belles for Life, a Saint Mary’s pro-life group.
Kate Haughee of Right to Life Michiana told the Rover more about the organization’s mission, saying, “Right to Life Michiana saves children, women, and men from the devastating effects of abortion and euthanasia and works to protect innocent human life from fertilization to natural death.”
Asked about her experience at LifeFest, she continued, “We are so impressed and encouraged by the passion and organization of Notre Dame’s Right to Life club. It was a blessing to spend a few hours with a group of young adults who so clearly value the gift of life and genuinely care for one another.”
Live music was provided by junior Lucy Bullock and the Mourning Doves, a student band featuring several members of the RtL club. Guitarist Dan Forkey commented on the event, saying “We’re super grateful to Jackie and Anna and the whole RtL club for having us and we had a blast playing for LifeFest.”
Lucy Bullock offered advice for other artists looking to serve the pro-life movement, saying, “Prior to the event, I had a good feeling that there would be a large family turnout. And that turned out to be correct—so many babies! With that in mind, I make an effort to keep my set as family-oriented as possible. … For those contributing to the pro-life movement through music, it’s important to remember whom you’re playing to.”
While Fr. McCormick’s lecture and LifeFest marked RtL’s official start to the school year, the club also held a social gathering on Thursday, August 29 with a luau-themed bonfire on Holy Cross Hill, featuring music, refreshments, and s’mores. The following Monday, RtL held the first of their monthly pro-life basilica Masses, joined by University Faculty for Life. The Mass was celebrated by RtL’s chaplain and priest-in-residence of Pasquerilla East Hall, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C.
Sophomore Jonah Fairbank praised the bonfire, saying, “It was awesome seeing so many of the same faces I got to know all last year through other RtL events. It was also great to introduce myself to the new first years and transfers that will be joining the growing RtL club.”
In a comment to the Rover, sophomore Timmy O’Toole encouraged freshmen to attend future RtL events, saying, “It’s a great opportunity to meet people who really care about the Pro-Life cause.” He further emphasized RtL’s ability to both advance the pro-life cause and build community at the same time, particularly through the club’s yearly trip to the March for Life. “It will be a great chance to have a real impact on the future of our country and its path towards defending life at all stages, and we will be able to develop great bonds and relationships while we’re at it.”
Later on this semester, RtL has several more events planned, including their annual “Respect Life Week” in early October.
Xavier Anderson is a sophomore from Reston VA studying finance. He recently invested 20 dollars in a pair of shiny white sneakers, only to step in the mud on South Quad two days later. Send him condolences at xanderso@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: ND Right to Life Media
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