Memorial Mass for Terri Schindler-Schiavo

Hi gals,
Mom wanted me to spread the word about a memorial Mass for Terri Schiavo to take place on the anniversary of her murder, March 31st at 8pm at St. Patrick's Church in Largo. I am sure you all remember the case, but here's a refresher. Please note that it is all from memory, and for more specific facts and details, please see www.terrisfight.org.

Over a decade ago, a beautiful young woman living here in our own backyard suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest that left her without oxygen for several minutes. Foul play is/was highly suspected, though no one has been charged. Though she survived, Terri was unable to move or to speak. She was awarded over $1 million in a malpractice suit--money that was supposed to be used in her therapy and geared toward her gradual recovery. However, her husband never allowed her to have any therapy (in fact, he didn't even let her have her teeth cleaned in over ten years, and her parents had to get a special court order to have the blinds open in her room!!). Terri was put on a feeding tube, though no swallowing tests were ever administered to her to see if she could eat on her own.

If memory serves, it was about six or seven years ago that Terri's case began to get nationwide attention. That occurred when her legal guardian and husband, Michael Schiavo, petitioned the local court to legally have her feeding tube removed with the intent of ending her life. Terri's parents were fighting against this, but at the time we heard of the case, they had exhausted their funds.

At this time, my parents, who founded the prolife Professionals for Excellence in Health Care group, asked the prolife lawyers of the group to take on the case. Two wonderful lawyers (one of whom is now deceased) took up the case in Terri's defense. Over the years, nine neurologists testified that Terri was not in a persistent vegetative state and could possibly swallow. My father himself examined Terri and gave similar testimony, noting that since she swallows her saliva, she could probably handle other soft foods. Other evidence that Terri was not PVS was overwhelming--like the videos of her smiling and interacting with her mother.

Judge Greer refused to acknowledge this evidence and testimony and continued to side with Michael Schiavo in all of the rulings. Finally, last Easter, everything came to a head. The final appeal had been launched; the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear the case, despite President Bush's statements that Terri should be kept alive. Her feeding tube was removed. Outside of the Hospice where Terri was imprisoned, people set up camp. A 24-hour prayer vigil was launched; Sean Hannity broadcast his television shows from those very grounds for almost two weeks; children were sent to jail for trying to bring cups of water to the starving and dehydrated woman; people came from all over the country to fight for Terri's life.

I went to pray at the Hospice every night after work, and was always amazed at the spiritual battle that was being waged. Policemen stood guard around the perimeter so that no "activists" would try to enter the building. When questioned, most of the policemen disagreed with the starving of Terri, but were forced to act as guards. Then there were some who "volunteered" to act as watchmen in this vigil of death, to keep those "dang prolife wackos" away.

I remember vividly when two men decided to oppose the prayer vigil with pro-death signs. My Mom was holding a crucifix and went and stood right next to the men. One of them began to immediately look uncomfortable, especially when we began to pray the rosary and to sing hymns. He eventually left, but his "friend" remained, yelling and screaming. Eventually, he stopped yelling, and started to stick out his tongue and spit at the crucifix. Satan was definitely making his presence known. Soon after that, a reporter came by to interview the man, but the crowd drowned him out by singing Catholic hymns.

Anyway, I could go on and on about the happenings at the Hospice during those 13 dark days. We prayed our hearts out for a miracle, but God's plan included Terri's martyrdom and not her miraculous recovery. After thirteen days of being denied food and water, after thirteen days of being in anguish and suffering the cruelest and most painful death imaginable, Terri died on March 31, 2005. I remember being at work when I received the news, and I burst into tears. I felt like my very own sister had been murdered.

But this was not to be the final tragedy. Michael Schiavo, who for many years while Terri was alive was living with another woman (whom he has three kids with), was allowed to marry her in the Church this year. This travesty is being investigated by a team of Canon lawyers, who are seeking to oppose it on the basis that a crime was committed by Schiavo against his spouse Terri. Please pray that justice is done.

Ok, sorry for the long post and all the rambling! Terri was a brave woman who endured much suffering in this life. Let us remember her especially on the anniversary of her death.