ALTAMONTE SPRINGS | Candles lit up Maitland Avenue, a sign of life on Oct. 13. Despite the debris left from Hurricane Milton, dozens of people from different faith backgrounds gathered to pray for the defeat of Amendment 4.

The gathering was the idea of Mark Romagosa who leads the 40 Days for Life campaign in Altamonte Springs. He approached Tina Stafstorm, executive director of Life Choices Medical Clinic, about uniting sidewalk prayer warriors and surrounding parishes. Although Romagosa could not attend that evening, his wife Angie, founder of the Christian Sharing Center in nearby Longwood, represented the longtime pro-life couple.

“Mark thought a prayer vigil was a great way to get people together,” Angie said. “There’s something about the ambiance of candlelight that brings people together. It’s holy and respectful.”

As a 40 Days for Life campaign leader, Mark always wanted to do something to unite those who pray in front of the abortion clinic next to Life Choices. With Amendment 4 on the November ballot, he and Stafstrom thought the timing was right. Together they joined forces with Pro-Life Action Ministries.

Scheduled for Friday night, the vigil moved to Sunday due to Hurricane Milton. Addressing the 100 plus crowd, Stafstrom said, “We are one body in Christ. We are here to be in joint prayer to Our Lord and as a witness in this community to our brothers and sisters, that life is a gift from conception to natural death. We are here to be a witness that your life is a gift, each one of you here, at different ages and stages in life. It’s so beautiful to see you and to be here celebrating together.”

Dr. Joseph Savona, a pediatrician of almost 48 years and lifelong Catholic, came with his wife because of his “faith in God and for the life of everyone, for life in all its stages.”

Illustrating the beauty of the ecumenical gathering, the Kime family from First Baptist Church of Longwood shared why they came to stand for life.

“I’m pro-life because God’s pro-life, because the Bible is pro-life,” said Luke, 18.

His younger brother, Ben, added, “We are made in God’s image, and we have a soul, so we are important. That’s why Christ died for us. All life, even a baby in a womb has life.”

Les Philip is on Life Choices’ board of directors and is a parishioner from St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs. He said he feels it is his responsibility to “protect life from the womb to the tomb.” He hoped the candlelight vigil raised awareness and helps defeat Amendment 4.

“Amendment 4 is not just about abortion. There’s a lot more that goes into it. It’s going to take a concerted effort by us and all the people who are here to defeat it,” he said.

Father David Scotchie, pastor of Nativity Parish in Longwood, participated with his parents and nephew. After blessing everyone at the closing of the vigil, he said, “I’m grateful for the abundant life that God gives us, and I hope others receive that Good News as well.”

Nativity Parish will hold a Vigil for Life Sunday, Oct. 20, from 5 to 6 p.m. To learn more about why you should Vote no on Amendment 4, click here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, October 17, 2024