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DAVENPORT — Every person can do something to support the sanctity of life – by praying, said Steve Goebel, emcee for the annual The Beat Goes On event Aug. 9 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. The pro-life event originally started in 2010 as the Black and White gala, first at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf. Goebel said the gala continued at various parishes until it landed at the St. Ambrose University campus in Davenport. Then COVID-19 hit. In 2021 its format was changed to an outdoor talk and music event in Bettendorf. In 2024 it moved to Sacred Heart Cathedral, first outdoors, then, last year, indoors due to weather factors. The plan is to remain indoors.

BURLINGTON — Trekking 600 miles from Nebraska to St. Louis as a first-time Biking for Babies missionary was a test of physical and spiritual strength for Brandon Harrison, a fifth-grade teacher at Burlington-Notre Dame. “We dealt with nine flat tires within one of our 100 mile days,” he recalled of the week-long ride in mid-July. “Seeing everyone support each other, and carry this cross with joy, really impacted me because it is the moments when things are not going well that we are called to truly live out our faith.”

Dear Friends in Christ, Each October during Respect Life Month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops provides a new set of materials in an effort to help Catholics and others understand, value and cultivate respect for human life. Meanwhile, earlier programs, like the Walking with Moms in Need campaign (www.walkingwithmoms.com), continue. Shortly before he suffers his passion, Jesus proclaims to his disciples: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn. 13:34). In other words, Jesus says that love for one another is the identifying characteristic of his disciples.

OTTUMWA — Choosing life can be a difficult decision for women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Heartland Pregnancy Center hopes to ease the decision by providing services and resources during pregnancy and afterwards, accompanying mothers as their children grow. “We want to walk through this with them,” said Becky Dalyrmple, the center’s longtime director. “None of these choices are easy.”

By Barb Arland-Fye The Catholic Messenger Jeni Van Buer is a longtime early childhood educator, wife and mother, and a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Coralville who knows what moms and their young children need. A proposed bill to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months would fulfill an important need, she believes.

As the 45th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision approaches, Catholics are encouraged to take part in “9 Days for Life,” a digital pilgrimage of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person’s life.