Monument for the Unborn dedicated at Kuper Cemetery

Frank LaTray and Father Michael Schneider were all smiles as folks gathered on Sunday, July 21 at Kuper Cemetery to dedicate the recently completed Monument to the Unborn. The monument, on a raised portion of ground in the southeast corner of Kuper Cemetery, is the culmination of seven years of prayer and effort led by LaTray and Fr. Schneider. Their hope was to provide a serene setting where someone with concerns of an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy could find direction and comfort.

Frank LaTray is an active member of St. Gabriels Church in Chinook and a state Deputy Director of the Montana Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's group. Frank shared that the Montana group has been focusing on ways to support and help women dealing with unwanted pregnancies. Frank said, "We want them to know there are other options and that there is always someone who wants a baby."

Describing his hope for the Monument, Fr. Michael, pastor of the St. Gabriels Church, said he wants the Monument to be a "reflective place where women can come to reflect and contemplate life." Both LaTray and Fr. Michael said the Monument was only one part of several ways the church is ministering to women in need of guidance, love and support. Neither were aware of any other such monument in Montana.

The dedication of the Monument was both solemn and joyful. A number of members from St. Gabriel attended the dedication as well as a several Knights of Columbus officials from Montana and national officers. The Knights of Columbus officials were in Havre on the Saturday before the dedication for a meeting and several stayed to attend and show their support of the Monument and its purpose.

The Monument for the Unborn

Located on a slight manmade rise the Monument consists of a stone with a carving on both sides and two benches that each face a side of the flat stone. One side of the stone is a line drawing of a woman's hand holding a tiny baby. The other side is an engraved copy of the "Prayer for the Helpless Unborn." Frank LaTray said, "That prayer is very sacred to Knights of Columbus members. We pray that prayer at every meeting." The stone with the engravings on both sides sits atop a 20 by 20 feet pad that is stamped and colored.

Part of the story of the Monument is how it became a reality. The stone with the carvings was created and purchased some time ago. Frank LaTray said, "One day Fr. Michael and I went out to the site. We had a few hand tools and were preparing to try and build a form and prepare to make the pad for the monument. John Elliot came by and asked what we were doing. We told him our plan and he said, "Let me see if I can get you some help." Soon there were a number of individuals and businesses helping bring the Monument to reality.

John Elliot, of the Smokestack Company, donated and hauled in dirt to build and raise the pad base and did dirt work to prepare the site. Dick Nicholson, who farms nearby, donated additional fill dirt. Then John and some helpers built the form for the cement pad and put in the rebar. John said, "I talked to Charlie Otto with Havre Ready Mix and they donated the concrete to build the pad." Once the pad was poured, Jack Goodrich Excavation stamped and colored the pad.

Daniel Dahl, with Wilderness Funeral Home and Cremation Services, brought his boom truck to set the center stone with the prayer and drawing. The Dexter Buck family donated the two benches that are on the pad, facing the stone. Baker's Jewelry in Malta is donating a plaque about the Monument and when it was dedicated and will soon install it.

The dedication ceremony was led by Fr. Michael of St. Gabriels in Chinook. In addition to the regional and national Knights of Columbus officials there were some members of the St. Gabriels congregation. Marty Beatty, a Montana State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus's State Council said, "Frank LaTray and Fr. Michael worked hard on this project. They went above and beyond to make this happen." Several other officials mentioned that they were anxious to share the news of this new Monument with other Montana and national Knights of Columbus organizations.

After the ceremony, when some of the visitors asked if there was something they could do to help with the Monument, Frank LaTray said, "I would really like to see six or seven trees planted around the Monument. It would make the setting more serene and private. We want it to be a place where people can come to contemplate and pray." If you would like to help purchase trees for the Monument you can contact Frank LaTray at 406-390-2872 or Fr. Michael Schneider by email at: frmschneider@aol.com.