PALM BEACH GARDENS | A presentation by Florida Voters Against Extremism on efforts to increase abortions nationwide is set for Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola’s Family Life Center, 9999 N. Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens. The event is part of a full schedule of pro-life events planned the next month in the Diocese of Palm Beach.
Sara Johnson, statewide director of Florida Voters Against Extremism, formerly known as Vote No on 4, will return to the cathedral hall after state voters successfully defeated the pro-abortion Amendment 4 on the November 2024 ballot. Her current goal is to sound the alarm about further ballot initiatives that may be proposed.
“I will be discussing the other extreme pro-abortion amendments that have been on ballots across the country in the three years since Roe v. Wade. What led to them and the extreme policies that their passage produced?” she said. “I’ll also cover Florida’s Heartbeat Protection Act and how to talk about it with friends and neighbors. I’m hoping to get into lots of research and polling, and answer questions that the audience has.”
Johnson has served in political campaigns for more than 15 years and specializes in grassroots advocacy on social issues. She will talk about national trends and threats to Florida’s abortion laws.
Other pro-life programs on the agenda are the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils at four locations in the diocese from Wednesday, Sept. 24, to Saturday, Nov. 1. Twice a year, a campaign of prayer and fasting is organized to maintain a peaceful, public vigil outside abortion centers and dissuade mothers from aborting their children.
Anyone willing to be a pro-life presence is urged to contact the following leaders: Mary Ellen Chajkowski, 561-410-4337, near 45th Street in West Palm Beach; Aleana Meadows, 561-507-8991, North Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach; Jim Thoma, 772-240-6186, Southeast Hillmoor Drive, Port St. Lucie; and Mike Semanie, 360-632-8870, South 12thStreet, Fort Pierce.
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito is scheduled to pray the rosary with 40 Days prayer warriors Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. outside the abortion center on Northpoint Parkway in West Palm Beach.
Students for Life of America speaker Amelia Akins is scheduled to speak locally on three occasions in the coming weeks. A resident of Miami, she helped found the Students for Life group in 2022 at Florida International University, from which she graduated with a degree in biology. Akins now serves the pro-life organization as a campus formation coordinator.
Her speaking plans include a Culture of Life breakfast Thursday, Sept. 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Bernadette, 350 N.W. California Blvd. in Port St. Lucie (RSVP by calling 561-360-3330); the 17th annual Rosary Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at St. Helen in Vero Beach; and a Culture of Life breakfast Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon in the cathedral’s Family Life Center in Palm Beach Gardens (R.S.V.P. by calling 561-360-3330).
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the annual Steps for Life Mass, rosary walk and dinner is planned at Emmanuel Church, 15700 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach. Following the 5:30 p.m. liturgy, individuals and groups are urged to pray the rosary while walking around the lake as part of the fundraiser for Birthline/Lifeline pregnancy care centers. Afterward, at about 7:30, pizza will be served, and awards and raffle winnings will be presented.
Steps for Life supports the work of Birthline/Lifeline, a ministry of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach. For information on how to help raise funds and save lives, visit www.ccdpb.org/events/events.html/event/2025/09/27/steps-for-life-/530708.
At the cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens, a 6 p.m. jubilee Mass Monday, Sept. 29, will be celebrated for an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion centers. Father Gavin Badway, cathedral rector, will be the main celebrant.
On Respect Life Sunday Oct. 5, life chains will be formed at sites in the diocese as a visual statement in support of the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. During these peaceful and prayerful events, pro-life individuals stand for one hour to pray for the United States and an end to abortion. Bishop Barbarito will join a life chain following the 5 p.m. Oct. 5 Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola on Military Trail.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, at 1:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will lead their annual Life March from St. Joan of Arc’s Marcy Center, 370 S.W. Third St. in Boca Raton, through downtown streets to Sanborn Square Park and back to the parish. Participants will offer a peaceful witness to the pro-life message while walking, singing and praying the rosary.
For information on all local pro-life events, contact Deanna Herbst-Hoosac, Respect Life program director, at dherbst@ccdpb.org or 561-360-3330. To learn about these and other events planned in the Diocese of Palm Beach, visit www.diocesepb.org/news/.
