On June 16 a co-worker and I attended the Health Care For All Rally in Beaver County. The Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden hosted the event in front of the Beaver County Courthouse.

Sister Barbara Czyrnik of the leadership team urged those attending to continue to voice opposition to the current health care bill up for vote in the U.S. Senate because it would harm the poor, persons with disabilities, children who need health coverage and senior adults.

Sister Barbara prayed: “We ask a special blessing upon those in our midst today; those who seek care but find it’s out of reach; those we love who are struggling with illness; those who are blessed with health and security, that they may work to fill the needs of those who are sick and insecure. We ask your guidance, oh Lord, on all in the medical profession who treat us and our families ... . Be with us this day as we seek to stand for justice and righteousness. Amen.”

In the words of Pope Francis, health is not a consumer good but a universal right, so access to health services cannot be a privilege.

In conclusion, members of the audience told stories about how loved ones had their lives saved medically by the health care act known as ObamaCare.

We were also asked to speak so I thanked the Sisters of St. Joseph and asked everyone to call their U.S. senators and congressmen (Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, and Reps. Mike Doyle, Tim Murphy and Mike Kelly) and ask them to stand with the Sisters of St. Joseph in supporting health care for all.