As Cathy Marr retires as a volunteer with Moose Jaw Right to Life after 45 years, she believes people — especially youths — are more aware of the need to protect life.
“I think there are a lot of younger people who have really grasped this and are just so sincere in doing something about (ending abortion). I am really impressed with the younger people,” said Marr, 87, who decided to retire since she thought the time was right.
The future of the pro-life movement looks promising, she continued. She believes the public’s hearts and minds can be changed so there is more respective for the unborn.
About 20 supporters and board members of Moose Jaw Right to Life honoured Marr by holding a celebratory supper on April 11.
The organization will miss Marr greatly, said Ron Hardy, board vice-president. Marr has been a mainstay and pillar for many years. Her faithfulness in attending every pro-life event stands out.
“Because of her experience, she was always able to offer good advice because of all those years of being involved,” said Hardy, a 10-year member. “Cathy is a prayer warrior. That is important for our organization. A lot of our business is done on faith.”
Marr is an inspiration and is rarely discouraged, added board president Jean Landry. It’s easy to become dissuaded as a volunteer organization, especially since fewer people volunteer today. However, Marr brought optimism and hope to her work.
“She is a very prayerful person,” added Landry, a six-year member.
Being called a prayer warrior is an apt description, Marr said. She noted faith in God — who is in charge of the universe — keeps her from being discouraged. She commended the group’s president and board members, noting the organization is gathering momentum.
Marr believes in the cause of protecting unborn life, she explained. She believes in the ethic of life beginning at conception and ending at natural death. While her Christian faith is a factor in this outlook, she also thinks she would still hold the same views even if she wasn’t a Christian.
“I would still believe that abortion is killing a future citizen of the world, (one) with great potential and a right to believe in being born … ,” she said. “I oftentimes think, when people can’t reason that way, it boggles my mind.”
It would appear that some people are having second thoughts about abortion and believe it is wrong, if reports in newspapers or magazines are to be believed, Marr pointed out. Many people can’t believe that an unborn child growing in its mother’s uterus is another human being.
“They think it is a blob of tissue, and it isn’t,” she added.
Marr was “greatly, greatly disappointed” to hear that 81 per cent of Saskatchewan residents supposedly believe abortion is acceptable, according to a recent story in daily newspaper. However, she thinks pro-life people should never give up and should pray that hearts and minds would one day believe in the beautiful gift of life.
To hear the birds singing, to see green grass growing and to enjoy the arrival of spring are activities only people alive can experience, Marr said. She is thankful her mother gave birth to her so she could enjoy life.
Marr intends to take it easy now that she has retired, she said with a chuckle. She loves to garden, but at age 87, she isn’t able to do as much as before.
“I have to be sensible,” she smiled.
