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  "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you . . ." God!  Jeremiah 1:5
   

  The Pro-Life Memorial at St. Michael the Archangel is primarily dedicated to the unborn who have been aborted.  It's also for those who may have lost a child through miscarriage or a child who was stillborn.  The memorial is also dedicated to anyone who has lost a loved one.
   

  
  The Memorial was begun in 2004 when Fr. Larry Niese, our Pastor, asked the Knights of Columbus, Council 11768 to build a monument for the unborn.  Through the generosity of time, talent and treasure, the Knights of Columbus and the parishioners of St. Michael's began to build the memorial.
  
  A prominent location on the parish property was selected where it can be seen by anyone entering the Church.  The statue of Our Lady of Grace was donated by the Chelena family.  The statue had been with the Chelena family for private devotion for over 60 years.
  
  There is a tombstone at the base of Our Lady of Grace statue.  The tombstone has a heart with an unborn baby.  The heart symbolizes the mother's womb with a 12 week old baby, the age most babies are aborted.  At the bottom of the stone is a cross.  Jesus suffered and died so that we could be healed of all our sins.  The baby's feet, at the bottom left represent the feet of a 12 week old unborn baby.  On September 26, 2006, the statue, benches and headstone were set.  A rosary was placed under Our Lady as she was placed on the pedestal as a reminder to pray for peace and healing.
  
  There are two benches placed on each side of the memorial.  One bench has a Scripture passage from Romans 8:28, "All things work together for the Glory of God for those who love the Lord."  God can even transorm the bad things we have done into good if we give in to Him in repentance.  The other bench has a quote from Blessed Mother Teresa.  "Never let anything so distress you that you forget the joy of the Resurrection"!  What a hopeful and healing message.
  
  On September 30, 2006, a special dedication was carried out culminating in the unveiling and blessing of the monument by Father Larry Niese.
  
  It is our prayer that anyone who is contemplating abortion will see the memorial and choose life.  It is also our hope that anyone who has aborted or lost a child through miscarriage or stillbirth or any loved one will all find the memorial as a sanctuary of healing.