Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

In July in the Midwest, heat indexes can regularly soar into the high 90s to 100 degrees range. At this time of year, most are staying cool inside in the air-conditioning or taking a dip in a pool. If one wants to exercise, it’s best to do it early in the morning as that is the coolest time of day. For Vince Moore of Springfield, he won’t be doing any of that. Instead, he will be hitting the roads of the Midwest on his bicycle, riding about 100 miles each day for six days, participating for the third time in Biking for Babies.

Biking for Babies is where dozens of life-minded people embark on bike rides throughout the country. The goal of these missionaries is to raise money for pregnancy centers around the country, including our diocese, and be a public witness to life.

From July 8-13, nine teams of missionaries will make sure their tires are inflated, the chain is oiled up, and their bike is in tip-top riding shape. There are six Midwestern routes and three East Coast routes. The East Coast routes ride to Arlington, Va. The Midwestern routes end outside St. Louis, in the suburb of Manchester, Mo. For Moore, who is a parishioner at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Springfield, his route this year starts in Lincoln, Neb. He is riding for Two Hearts, a pregnancy resource center located next door to Planned Parenthood in Springfield.

Catholic Times Editor Andrew Hansen interviewed Moore about what his Biking for Babies experience has been like and why he is doing it again.

This is your third time biking 600 miles in six days for Biking for Babies. Describe your experience.

"For the 2023 national ride," Moore said "I was route leader of the Michigan Route." Overall, it could be characterized like this: deep joy in building and bonding with my team; hard work in training and traveling to train with each of my riders; a feeling of being on pilgrimage during the national ride; and offering my prayers works joys and sufferings throughout training and the national ride for women in unplanned pregnancies."

"Specifically," he continued "it was a great privilege to set the overall goal for the 2023 Michigan Route: to grow closer to our Lord Jesus through sacrifice and service." The Michigan route was new last year so that made us 'pioneers.' The whole team embraced missionary vocation while on national ride especially by being outgoing generously engaging with hosts people goodwill at evening events I love preparation working hard being silly members worked really hard brought 'the joy.'"

"We also contended with adversity," Moore added "and needling evil spirit team leaned heavily prayer St Michael prayers Our Lady when encountered adversity example day three outside Lafayette Ind minor collision between cyclists bridge out needed cross Wabash River called day team hopped support crew vehicle make time evening event prayed prayers mentioned above reflected Elijah’s prayer flees Jezebel desert."

"The members cannot lauded enough opinion trained hard rode hard prayed hard distinct culture prayerful joyful guileless proud growth instance three riders leaders God’s grace grateful opportunity co-labor Him."

Why did you decide to bike again this year?

"I returned because experiences mentioned above seen heard felt God acting directly life other-than-ordinary ways deeply believe no human being can make judgment sufficiency quality someone else’s life mission forming young adults Gospel Life raising awareness work pregnancy resource centers raising funds support centers mission allows serve God small way believe one feel joy midst pain sacrifice Our Lord Jesus passion prime greatest example join life service Lord’s passion."

How have you been training for this year’s ride?

"In May visited trained teammates Denver Colo travel rider missionaries order inculcate team culture ideally prayerful hardworking joyful goal set tone ultimately sacrifice riding not own glory fulfill two greatest Commandments loving God whole heart soul mind loving neighbor ourselves work remotely accountant banking industry flexibility work Denver ride traveled David City Neb Green Bay Wis same reason home typically shorter rides four times week shorter distances weekday mornings longer Saturdays."

Have you experienced anything unique scary spiritual still stays today?

"One riders having brake problems morning day one ended loosening brakes glad join us ten miles first fast forward sixth lunch outside Edwardsville passing Granite City home Metro East abortion clinic spot trail crosses IL-162 rear-ended low speed physically fine bicycle isn’t ridable stop everyone OK bicycling done support crew van continue cross McKinley Bridge praying Memorares continuously found shop front wheel fixed rejoined south downtown navigate city Holy Spirit gave inspirational thought 'Gee sure taking long stop downhill lights weird?' think route ahead west Kirkwood takes Meramec River Valley long downhill tries hurt worse explain inspired agrees took get brakes fixed remaining descended steep hill hitting speeds forty mph broad daylight Saturday female deer standing ditch alongside road slowed passed lightly hopped forest alternate circumstances group jumped leading collision injury much worse scales lifted eyes saw acting directlyin felt realize plot twist movie except real twist permitted rear-ended greater good fulfilled safety."

How you can support Biking for Babies and pregnancy centers:

1) Give online at [website]. You can choose to support a missionary's fundraising goal or give to Biking for Babies fund.

2) Attend dinners and testimonies:

- Thursday July 11: Ohio Team Charleston 4:30 p.m Mass St Charles Borromeo Church potluck dinner testimonies 5:45 p.m

- Friday July 12: Wisconsin Ohio teams Springfield 5:15 p.m Mass Cathedral Immaculate Conception dinner school hall RSVP (217)522-3342 testimonies follow around 6:45 p.m no RSVP required

- Friday June 12: Michigan team St Louis Parish Nokomis Mass

Pray mothers unborn children culture life!