DELRAY BEACH | During the annual Steps for Life Mass Sept. 27, 2025, at Emmanuel Church in Delray Beach, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito reflected on the devastating scourge of violent crime as a sign that the world is far from achieving respect for human life at all stages. At the foundation of that disrespect is the issue of abortion.
“Once we acknowledge that it is OK to take the life of an unborn child, then the life of every person at every stage of life, no matter what their circumstances may be, is in jeopardy,” he said.
Steps for Life is a yearly fundraiser for Catholic Charities’ Birthline/Lifeline pregnancy care centers, with participants praying the rosary after Mass while walking around the parish’s pond. Many individuals and families joined in the activities, including students from St. Vincent Ferrer School in Delray Beach, who led the rosary prayers.
The liturgy was also an occasion to mark Priesthood Sunday in appreciation of the priests who serve Catholic communities in the Diocese of Palm Beach and around the world. Bishop Barbarito applauded Father Gaudioso Zamora, Emmanuel’s pastor, and Father Theodore Ihedoro, parochial vicar, who concelebrated the Mass, “for being such wonderful and faithful priests.”
As Catholics, we are primarily people of prayer, the bishop said in his homily. “That’s why we’re here celebrating the Eucharist. That’s why, after Mass, we’re going to pray the rosary,” he said. “At this time, when prayer has been downplayed in the face of so many other violent situations, we realize, as men and women of faith, that prayer is always, always our primary source, always that which helps us to face what’s before us.”
Fervent prayer offers insights into the worth and dignity of human beings, Bishop Barbarito said. “Whenever we pray, no matter what our intentions may be, no matter who we’re praying for, there’s a communion, a real communion that’s between us and between God and between the person that we’re praying for,” no matter the severe difficulties they may be experiencing.
“We are a family, and it’s in that family that God always pours forth his graces,” he said. “Prayer gives us courage to engage with others, especially our political leaders, seeking an end to abortion and all other acts of violence within our society. We commit ourselves to action always to doing what we can in terms of encouraging our leaders to turn laws around which are obviously disrespectful for life, especially the law of abortion. And we take the action that is necessary, but always, always in the context of prayer.”
At the conclusion of the Mass, Katherine Bowers, Birthline/Lifeline program director, thanked Bishop Barbarito for his strong support of the pro-life cause. She also expressed gratitude to Emmanuel Parish for welcoming the Steps for Life event every year. She said Birthline/Lifeline offers life-affirming and compassionate support to thousands of women, children and families every year, with nearly 5,000 visits last year at centers in Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce, and through the Women’s Pregnancy Solutions mobile units.
“When those who come to us have heavy hearts because they’ve accepted the lies the culture has fed them and have hope because of the words, material assistance and prayers that we offer them at Birthline/Lifeline, we are heartened when we see these moments of realization in their eyes and their hearts and minds have not only been touched but changed,” she said.
“My staff, volunteers and I do this work because we’ve been called. In this work, we also need you. Each of us has a role to play. Our Lord desires for all of us to be his hands and feet in changing the culture,” Bowers said. “We are called in different ways. So, we must listen closely every day to see how we can use our gifts and talents in this mission.”
To learn more about Birthline/Lifeline’s services, visit www.birthlinelifeline.org. Contact the Respect Life ministry of Catholic Charities by emailing Deanna Herbst-Hoosac at dherbst@ccdpb.org or calling 561-360-3330. For information about Catholic Charities, visit www.ccdpb.org and follow the agency on social media.
