Posted on 04/06/2005 12:54:53 PM PDT by hipaatwo
GULFPORT - The Rev. Frank Pavone asked a packed church on Tuesday night to honor the memory of Terri Schiavo by going forth and building a "culture of life."
Pavone, to much applause, emphasized that all life is sacred, that all lives have meaning, no matter what form they come in.
"God calls on us to go forth from this place to work together, to preach and witness together," Pavone boomed, a bank of Easter lilies behind him, "so what happened in this tragic case will never happen again."
Pavone and several other speakers elicited applause, even standing ovations, from the 700 people who overflowed onto the steps outside the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church for Schiavo's memorial service.
Schiavo died Thursday, 13 days after the court-ordered removal of her feeding tube. Her plight, and the struggle between her husband and her family, made headlines around the world and drew hundreds of strangers in the past few weeks to the Pinellas Park hospice where she eventually died.
None of the speakers mentioned Michael Schiavo, the husband who argued for years that his wife would not have wanted to be kept alive, given the brain injuries she sufferred. Terri was referred to by her maiden name, Terri Schindler, throughout the service.
Many in attendance Tuesday had never met Terri Schiavo. They came in support of her family. "I know I speak for millions when I say to you tonight four simple words," Pavone said to the Schindler family seated in the front row. "We are with you."
Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schindler, had trouble beginning his rememberence to his sister. After choking back tears, he held up a Purple Heart sent to the family by a Vietnam War veteran. The sender indicated that Schiavo was killed by enemies of the United States, and thus, deserved the award, Schindler said to a standing ovation.
Suzanne Vitadamo, Terri Schiavo's sister, turned to her mother and said she ached for her the most. She praised Schiavo for setting an example of how to fight.
"You have shown the world what perseverance and determination are all about," Vitadamo said.
Radio talk show host Glenn Beck, who in recent years has supported the Schindlers' fight to keep Schiavo alive, stopped repeatedly to wipe away tears as he spoke to the congregation.
He focused on how Schiavo's case brought together a mix of supporters that spanned the political spectrum. Republican U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh were on the same side as liberal activist and actor Susan Sarandon and former Democratic presidential contender Jesse Jackson, Beck pointed out.
"Terri is performing her first miracle," Beck said.
Schiavo's body was cremated after an autopsy. A court order gave Michael Schiavo control of his wife's body, though he must inform her parents of any memorial services and the location of the cemetery. The court order does not say how much notice Michael Schiavo has to give the Schindler family. He has said he will bury his wife's remains in a plot in Pennsylvania. "The (Schindler) family is basically at the mercy of (Mr. Schiavo) showing kindness," the Schindlers' lawyer, David Gibbs III, said before attending the service. "If he chooses to inflict additional pain, that's his choice
BTTT....great posts, both of you.
I really worry about Mary Schindler. How is she doing? I mean physically, she's not getting ill is she? Are they all taking care of themselves?
heart wrenching photo isn't it PhiilDragoo!!
really?? 2003? Wow, this is the first I have read about that. That was when she was only without food and water for what, 6 days?? I can IMAGINE what she looked like before she died. GOD HAVE MERCY!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby Schindler and Suzanne and their parents... they are all real true saints.
I'm sure they are taking care of each other. Pinging others who might have first-hand knowledge.
Can you verify that web site...I can't seem to pull it up. You gave me blogforterri.com there is NO such web site.
BTTT
Did anyone else hear the priest that was on Hannity tonight? He said Mary tried to embrace Terris body when they were finally let in to see her after she died. 3 policemen held her back. I'm stunned at the cruelty all over again.....
So which is it...is that pic from 2002 or 2003?
Wow. In 2003 the tube was only out for 6 days, right? So one can only imagine how she must have looked after 13 days. The horror. God rest her soul.
I didn't get to view H&C tonight, but I have it scheduled to tape later. If what he said is true, then how can those officers of the law not have guilty consciences? If Terri was already dead, what did it matter that her mother be allowed to embrace her? Heck, she should've been able to do that while Terri was alive! I'm stunned!
Try this. Not sure if this is what Hall meant.
http://www.blogsforterri.com/
Exactly. My husband was so incensed while listening to this, I thought he would explode! He says those 3 cops will never have one moment of peace if they really did that. I agree. It will have to haunt them forever.
I sincerely hope so.
Well, one thing for sure is that in the near future, Jodi ill become the target of his rage and sadism because the Schindlers and Teri won't be available.
Jodi has no one to publicize her treatment.
She is lucky they did not shoot her.
The Pinellas Park police force would have made good concentrtion camp guards. They have all the qualifications.
That's brilliant. And from this day forward, only God will ever know what Mr. Control Freak Skeevo did to himself, or why. His fate isn't sealed, but he's in a deep, deep hole, and there is only One Who can pull him out of it.
I heard now that Jodi doesn't want to marry him after all... hmmmm.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.