Theology student honored to serve as lector for Respect Life Mass

They call it the “dark secret” in the family. 

“We didn’t talk about it,” Cynthia Walters said.

But on Respect Life Sunday, before Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, she told a complete stranger that her husband wanted her to abort their daughter.  

“My husband was having a meltdown one day, and he goes, ‘I want you to abort her.’ I said, ‘No. I’ll never do it. It’s really painful,” she said of the experience.

A Vietnam veteran, her husband’s outbursts seem to stem from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“My husband can be really mean,” Cynthia said. “He can go off, and he wanted me to abort her because he wasn’t having his way in the world.”

Their daughter, Sarah, now 40, is pursuing a doctorate in Theology from St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester. She served as lector for the Oct. 6 Mass. 

“I was so honored that I was asked to do the Respect Life Mass because nobody knew (my story) here,” said Sarah Walters. “I think of it as a divine coincidence that I was asked to lector this year and last year because nobody knew.”

Sarah grew up in a house of loud outbursts and violence. Her father did repent for his actions and is now facing a terminal diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. Despite the fact that her parents wanted a second child after the birth of their son – going so far as to have people pray over Cynthia – her father’s words stuck with her. 

“It made me feel unwanted, to be honest. And they had prayed to have another child, so it was kind of shocking,” Sarah said. “But I know my Father in heaven always wanted me, so that was my consolation. And I bless my mother for giving me life and leading me to the Church that I have been in my whole life.” 

Mother and daughter look at the situation from a spiritual view. Evil tried to snuff out a child that would go on to spread God’s word. Sarah is looking into a career as a chaplain.

“I always knew she had some kind of a call in her life,” Cynthia said. “She’s very dedicated to the Lord. I think the enemy wanted her kicked out so she couldn’t do anything in ministry. She’s kind of a light to the people in her group because she chose theology and not another career path. She chose the Lord.”

Mother and daughter now have a strong bond and attend Mass together.  

“I am profoundly pro-life knowing that I could have been a statistic,” Sarah said. “God spared me through the love of a mother. I believe I have a call of God in my life, that I’m still here.”

“I knew I was going to get a gift, but I didn’t know the gift was going to be as precious as it is. She is a precious gift from God. A treasure,” said Cynthia.

Although he had no knowledge of Sarah Walters’ backstory, Bishop Michael W. Fisher could have been talking directly to her as he delivered a homily at the Mass.

“Every human life that God gives to this world is a ray of hope for the future,” he said. “Our Gospel today is ultimately about each one of our calls to be a part of the kingdom of God, a kingdom of God that is here and now in our midst, a kingdom God that is in its fullness awaiting for us ultimately, as we will go back to our Lord and back to our Creator.”

After Mass, Cheryl Zielen-Ersing, director of Respect Life Activities, gave a few updates on upcoming events. 

October is both Respect Life Month and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

“We ask you to remember and please pray for, in a special way, all those who may have experienced the heartbreaking loss,” she said.

A Respect Life Novena will be prayed for the protection of life Oct. 22-30.

The Annual Pro-Vita Mass and Awards, that honor those who have made extraordinary contributions to respecting and protecting life, will be held in October 2025 on Respect Life Sunday, rather than January as it has been held in the past.

The annual Life Chain took place later that day at various locations throughout the diocese.

Bishop Fisher blessed people, families and those expecting after Mass.