Life-minded people of all ages, including families, descended on Assumption Parish in Morristown on Nov. 3 to participate in the St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners’ Thomas A. Haltigan Memorial Pro-Life 5K.
The 5K received a celebrity endorsement by Jennifer O’Neill, a Hollywood actress and pro-life activist. She appeared in many movies, including Summer of ‘42, and a recent Ronald Reagan biopic as Nelle Reagan.
The event is named after the late Thomas A. Haltigan, who led the pro-life ministry at St. Cecilia Parish in Rockaway for many years as it expanded and was renamed.
The 5K is a fundraiser for the ministry, now known as Rockaway Denville Catholic Respect Life Ministry. It supports many pro-life organizations and programs and hosts events such as a Pro-Life Community Evening. St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners is part of the ministry.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led a prayer gathering and spoke before the start of the event. Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s pastor, also spoke to the crowd.
O’Neill is pictured above right with John Byrne, the Pro-Life 5K coordinator who heads St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners, at a local fundraiser for the pro-life Care Net Pregnancy Resources on Oct. 17 in Washington Township. She was the event’s keynote speaker.
— Michael Wojcik
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
