Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, lies the seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes a rose. ? From “The Rose,” performed by Bette Midler

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Everyone is talking about the weather, and certainly we have experienced the dead of winter in central Illinois. Blasts of arctic air and plentiful snow have closed schools repeatedly. We’ve had reasons to worry about travel, dead batteries, burst pipes, colds and flu, high heating bills, and those who aren’t as fortunate as we are to have warm havens of home and workplace. The outdoor landscape has turned hard, crunchy, colorless, and lifeless.

Yet this issue of The Catholic Post is filled with photos and stories from what can be called the Life of Winter.

Seeds of life were planted by hundreds of Catholics from our parishes and schools who marked the anniversary of legal abortion in our nation in a variety of ways in late January. Some did it spiritually by taking part in the “9 Days for Life” promoted by the U.S. bishops, or by saying extra prayers at home or at Mass.

Others, meanwhile, stepped out into the cold not only of winter but the chill of cultural indifference (and even opposition) to take public stands in defense of the sanctity of human life.

We thank all who organized, participated in, and sacrificed for these efforts on behalf of people they may never meet or know. We have faith and hope that the seeds of respect for life you have planted in the dead of winter will flower, with the Son’s love. May they grow quickly. — Thomas J. Dermody