Ascension c at h ol i c c h ur c h
MEET BISMARCK/MANDAN
Right to Life President Virginia Dolajak Standing Up For the Voiceless
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n Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision legalizing a women’s “right to abortion.” It was a decision that went against one of the most dearly held beliefs of the Catholic Church, and in the years since, many have worked hard to restore a culture that values all human life, from “conception until natural death.” And although she was only a teenager in the 1970s, longtime parishioner Virginia Dolajak was among those promoting respect for life then, and she continues to be an advocate for the unborn today. “I’ve always been pro-life,” Virginia says. “Roe v. Wade came the year I graduated from high school and coming from a Catholic family, it was never Longtime parishioner Virginia a question.” Dolajak is active in our community She recalls her parish priest announcing at Ascension, as well as serving as from the pulpit, around the time of Roe v. Wade, the President of Bismarck/Mandan Right to Life. explaining that a speaker would be coming to talk to the high school-age students about abortion. Virginia and her siblings attended. “I didn’t even really know what it was — I didn’t know how cruel it was,” she says. explaining her shock at learning what abortion was. “When I saw what it was, I thought, ‘How could they do that to a baby?’ No one had to convince me.” It wasn’t long after that Virginia moved to Bismarck, met her husband, and continued on page 5
Inside January 2021
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The Patron of Catholic Schools in America St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
3 Forget the Resolutions... Seize the Opportunities! 4/5
New Year Brings Both Hope and Opportunity for Growth as Disciples of Christ
6 Window 7: Blessed Virgin Mary 7
SMCHS Carnival: A Different Fundraiser This Year
