Colin Evers, director of music and liturgy at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Bettendorf, plays the piano and sings during The Beat Goes On Aug. 9 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
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.
Funds from donation and raffle ticket sales benefited The Woman’s Choice Center in Bettendorf; Pregnancy Resources in Moline, Illinois; and Quad City Right to Life in Davenport.
Bishop Dennis Walsh thanked those in attendance “for all your work.” He noted that when Roe v. Wade was overturned, the focus of the pro-life movement switched from national to state and local efforts. He noted that Illinois recently passed assisted suicide laws. Up north in Canada they did the same. “This issue is creeping up. We need to continue our efforts to protect all life.”
“I encourage you to transform a culture of death and to educate in our parishes and families on the sanctity of life,” he said.
Jared Wuerzburger of the cathedral played several songs on his guitar and sang. “We gather as a family of believers,” he said. Before each song he offered a reflection.
The main speaker was Father Jason Crossen, pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and vicar general for the Diocese of Davenport.
He invited everyone to get to know God and be a follower of Jesus.
He said 1973 is when Roe v. Wade took effect. It was also the year in which he was born. “One good thing happened that year,” he laughed.
As a child and teen, he was not aware of what Roe v. Wade or abortion was.
In his high school speech class, he had to write a speech on a topic from a list given to students. As he went down the list he came to abortion. “I was 16. I gasped. I was horrified and shocked that this existed.” He decided this was the topic for him to debate.
As he did his research, he was “on fire,” unaware of the issues around it. “I poured my heart and soul into this.”
Before his speech, students filled out a form regarding the topic to be presented and where they stood. “Everyone was pro-choice. After, many went to uncertain.”
Father Crossen said it is easy to twist around the truth. People use an agenda or word games leaning toward their side of an issue. “Free will is huge. It can cause confusion in the world.”
He said women confronting abortion need to trust in God. “We need to walk with them.”
During his first assignment after ordination he was assigned to Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish in Muscatine. A young male wanted to start a teenage pro-life group. “I talked with him. He gave me food for thought.” They talked about the pain, hardships, healing and forgiveness.
That young man who wanted to start the teenage pro-life group with eight other girls is now a priest — Father Andrew Rauenbuehler. “The battle goes on, the beat goes on,” Father Crossen said.
“There are so many lies and misconceptions for us to unpack. But we need to walk with them no matter where they are at,” Father Crossen said. “We can change hearts and change minds. But we also need to change laws.”
“The vocation to love is fundamental. We need to continue to love and forgive.”
Colin Evers, director of music and liturgy at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Bettendorf played the piano and sang. He told the crowd he recently became a new dad. The crowd cheered.
“No matter the darkness,” Evers said, “God is present.”
