Photo Caption: Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, said at the Respect Life Dinner that “we have the truth…and we have to have the courage to defend the lives being threatened.”

By: By Tom Dermody

“Courage.”

The president of the National Right to Life Committee brought that one-word wish to 152 of her “heroes” who attended the Respect Life Dinner in Peoria on Oct. 7.

“You are the heart and soul of our country, putting in time and effort for people you will never meet,” Carol Tobias told those gathered at the Cater Inn Banquet Center for the 31st annual event supporting the Family Resources Center.

While those in the pro-life movement admirably try to live faith-inspired virtues of love and kindness, and may be reticent to offend others, Tobias said that to be effective in the cause also takes backbone.

“We have the truth, we have the facts and we have to have the courage to defend the lives being threatened,” said Tobias, who was the national organization’s political director for 14 years and has been its president for more than a year.

The North Dakota-native modeled her own courage with blunt words often addressed to current U.S. leadership. She called President Barack Obama “the most pro-abortion president we’ve ever had,” citing threats to young and old posed by his health care regulations and predicting “we will see wide-scale euthanasia in this country if Obamacare is left in place.”

Tobias also criticized Vice President Joe Biden for not calling out China for its population control using forced abortions when he visited the country last summer.

“We have a wonderful political system that allows us to participate, that allows for a peaceful transfer of power,” said Tobias. “We need to make sure we are taking advantage of it,” she added, also encouraging additional prayer in the weeks before the election.

“EDUCATION IS THE KEY”
The evening raised more than $3,000 for the Family Resources Center, a free-loan library that is an outreach of the Diocese of Peoria’s Respect Life Board.

Father William Miller, IC, board president, reminded the crowd — many of whom had participated in Life Chain public prayer and witness gatherings earlier in the day — that promoting the sacredness of human life is “a spiritual battle.”

“That’s where our confidence comes from,” said Father Miller, saying “we know the story” of God’s transforming power and love.

Father Miller asked for prayers for Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, who “has put himself out there” with strong public stands, including against the Health and Human Services mandate that would require even religious employers to cover the costs of abortion-causing drugs, sterilizations, and contraceptives.

“When you speak the truth boldly, the forces of evil will push back,” reminded Father Miller.

Both Father Miller and Pete Smith gave thanks for progress on the new Family Resources Center facility now under construction at 409 N.E. Monroe in Peoria.

In giving an update on the many works of the center aimed at building “happy and holy families,” Smith — speaking on behalf of his wife, Jan Smith, founder and director — estimated the new facility may be complete by April and expressed gratitude for the generous gift that is making it possible.

“The good news,” he told the group in seeking continued support, “is that the balance of money needed is available. The bad news is it’s still in your pockets.”

“Education is still the key,” said Smith. “You cannot legislate a change of heart.” He thanked all who “protect God’s gifts of life and family,” and gave special recognition to master of ceremonies Charles Owens of Henry who has help to plan the dinner for 31 years.

UPDATES ON OTHER EFFORTS
Dinner attendees, including many political candidates, also heard from other speakers. Among them were:

— John-Paul Deddens, executive director of Students for Life of Illinois, who updated on the 40 Days for Life campaign in the Champaign area and promoted a fundraising dinner for his organization in Peoria on Nov. 10.

— Karen Guth, coordinator of 40 Days for Life in the Peoria area, who said two mothers had decided to forego abortions in the early days because of the prayerful witness at Peoria’s abortion facility. “It’s the prayers and the presence that affect the heart,” she told the group.

— Dan Smith, who reported on the Peoria Life Chain earlier that afternoon, and

— Michaela Lavin, president, and Noah Otten, vice president, of Peoria Notre Dame “Teens for Life,” who told of the activities of the 100-student group.

Father Thomas Mizeur, pastor of St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s parishes in Henry and Immaculate Conception, Lacon, gave the invocation, while Deacon Fred Kruse of Chillicothe offered benediction. Music was provided by Robert Eckert.

Calling election years “silly season,” Tobias opened her talk by turning around the “war on women” phrase used against pro-life proponents by some in the Democratic Party during this year’s campaign..

“If you are for any limits on abortion, you are said to be waging a war on women,” marveled Tobias. She wondered how the practices of sex-selection abortions, dangerous “Webcam abortions” performed with “chemical cocktails” prescribed by a doctor via the Internet, and the opposition to a host of “common sense safety standards” for abortion facilities can be seen as “pro-woman.”