Our Actions Cannot Be Silenced. Our Actions Are For Life
By Amanda Cavill
The dignity of a human life is the principle
that we are called to base all of our morals on. As Christians, we are called to
respect life and fight for the well being and dignity of all humans regardless
of age, sex, or nationality. There are many ways that we can achieve this,
either within a group or individually. This presentation will outline several of
those ways.
Ending abortion has become the top priority of respect life groups around the
world. If we cannot protect life from the moment of conception, we will have no
cause to fight for. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people peacefully
protest the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. The March for Life in
Washington D.C. is a powerful way to support the pro-life cause. Most churches
and pro-life organizations take buses down to gather with the thousands of
others like them, who care so much about the dignity of life. It is impossible
not to be profoundly touched by the outpouring of emotion that is a part of the
event.
Another creative way for a youth group or pro-life organization to really
promote life is to hold a pro-life theme essay/drawing contest. Such an activity
would work like this: After all entries are in twelve winners would be selected
and a calendar would be made out of their essays or drawings. This could then be
sent out to schools around the diocese with a letter asking the teachers to take
one day out of the month to discuss the picture or essay. It is important for us
to realize that teaching children at an early age to respect life will make an
impact on how they live their lives as adults. Children are extremely vulnerable
and precious. They are the future. The only way to wipe away the "culture
of death" (Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II) that we live in is to teach
our children to love and respect life.
I would like to share with you an awesome event that took place this past
September. Seton-LaSalle High School's Pro-Life Club held an event called Life
Jam. After a year of planning and organizing, the event was a success. It
consisted of pro-life speakers such as Brian Kemper, Founder of Rock For Life,
and students from the Franciscan University of Steubenville who spoke about
chastity. The day included a Christian rock band, small group discussions and a
lunch. Fliers were sent to all of the parish youth groups, high schools, and
colleges in the Pittsburgh and surrounding area. Such an event is a lot of work,
but it is an incredible way to educate people and show your support for life. If
it is not possible for you to organize one, then look for when one will be held
somewhere in your area. You will be glad you did.
There are much smaller, but still effective, ways to support the pro-life cause.
These are activities that one person can do to make a difference. Many
organizations like Mom's House and Crisis Pregnancy Center help unwed mothers
realize their options and discourage abortion. They offer care and support for
these women at such a troubling time in their lives. These organizations can
always use volunteers to help them with their daily work, or donations that will
enable them to remain valuable resources.
Anyone who is over eighteen has more power to support pro-life then they
realize. One simple thing you can do is vote. Take advantage of this right that
you have. Make sure you research the candidates who are running and vote for the
one who will ensure that the dignity of human life is upheld. Even help to
campaign for them. It is so simple, but it's one small step to ending this
unjust practice of abortion.
Many pro-life groups hold walk-a-thons. The proceeds often go to funding
different areas of pro-life ministry. One way to support this effort is to
participate in this event. Find out about these types of events around you.
Often times all you have to do is find people to sponsor you and take the time
to walk. It's that simple. If you can't do that, then be a sponsor for someone
who is walking or biking or whatever the marathon entails.
It is important to keep in mind that when one calls them self pro-life it does
not just mean that they are against abortion. There are many other worthy
pro-life causes. Capital Punishment has become a very controversial issue in
today's world. Many schools are doing their part to raise awareness about this
important issue. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is an activity that reminds
people of the horrible injustice of capital punishment. When an execution is to
take place somewhere in the United States, the school will ring its bell at the
exact scheduled time of death and pray for the soul of the executed. The bell is
a reminder to all who hear it that all life, no matter the circumstance, is
dignified and deserves respect. The people who take part in this activity hope
that people will become increasingly disgusted by this injustice and work to ban
it.
Legislative Advocate, Steve Birdlebough is working hard to end capital
punishment. He has a website that posts an agreement called "Declaration of
Life" on it. He is asking people to print it out, sign it and keep it
with other important papers that they keep at their house. This agreement states
that if a person was ever a victim of murder that the death penalty would not be
sought for the criminal, and that this agreement be used at the trial as a
testimony.
Another way to prevent capital punishment is to organize a parish-prison
ministry. This would entail a few people going down to the prisons to preach to
the inmates. Investigate possible agencies that have such programs and either
volunteer with them or grab some pointers as to how to set up a ministry of your
own within your school or deanery. (This would make an excellent ministry
project). If this is not possible, organize a letter writing ministry for the
inmates. In these cards and letters include passages from the Bible, possibly
small personal items, and tell them how God forgives all sins as long as we are
truly sorry.
Ending euthanasia and assisted suicide is another vital cause. Much of this
mercy killing happens to the elderly who are seen by some as no use to society.
In today's world we often measure success by how much money and power one has.
In order to show our respect for the elderly, a luncheon could be planned on the
feast of St. Ann, Mother of Mary. This shows the senior citizens of our parishes
how important they are to us and how we look to them for guidance and wisdom,
just as Mary looked to her mother.
Organizations such as Sanctity of Life Ethics (SLE) hold conferences letting
people with disabled family members know how to prevent their loved one from
being a victim of assisted suicide or euthanasia.
Becoming well informed about the issue of euthanasia is a great way to prevent
it. A recent study showed that many people support the idea of assisted suicide
and euthanasia until they know all the facts about it. By becoming well
educated, you have the power to educate others, causing a chain reaction.
Everyone can do his or her part to support the pro-life cause. By writing a
letter to your congressman or choosing not to vote for a candidate who is
pro-abortion is a simple, inexpensive, effective way to show your concern and
make a change.
The Diocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry puts together a
newsletter that highlights upcoming events around the diocese. This is a great
place to find an activity that you can participate in. The Lovewalk for the Poor
which takes place every February is one such event. This activity hopes to
increase awareness for those homeless in our city and provide donations for
them. This outpouring of love on the Sunday before St. Valentine's Day has
become a wonderful tradition and a perfect way to show respect for all human
life, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Another way to show your support for life is to boycott bands and celebrities
who donate their money to pro-choice organizations. By supporting them you are
inadvertently supporting the pro-choice movement. Without their monetary
support, these pro-choice organizations would not have as much control as they
do now.
Lastly, but certainly not least, is pray. Pray everyday. Never underestimate the
amazing power of prayer. A simple Hail Mary with the intention that the world
will come to respect all human life is an easy way to help. The Internet is also
a great place to find original prayers. A few possibilities are www.webdesk.com/catholic/prayers.
This site includes prayers for unwed mothers, prayers for all humanity, and a
reverence prayer for motherhood. Another great site is www.catholicgoldmine.com
that also has several pro-life prayers. Everyone, regardless of who they are,
can do this small part to support the pro-life cause.
A fantastic resource for answering any questions you might have concerning
pro-life issues, especially new ones such as cloning and genetic engineering is
the Respect Life Office Pro-Life binder. Susan Rauscher and her team at the
pro-life office have organized a great resource that would benefit anyone who
would like to be more involved in the pro-life cause.
Right now, I would like to pose a challenge to all youth of the church: to join
together to put a stop to this "culture of death." We are the future.
These pro-death practices can go on no longer. We are responsible for making the
change. There are so many simple things that can be done. If things continue the
way they are now, or get worse, we will no longer have anyone to pass the word
on to. Our generation is being killed every day. ¼ of the friends you may have
had have already been murdered. How can we sit back and do nothing knowing that?
Accept my challenge. Start today.
Every choice that you make impacts your life. When we choose to be kind to
others, not discriminate, give money to the poor, or teach our children the
value of life, we are doing our small part to end the injustice and hatred that
comes with disrespect for human life. Everyday we are faced with many other
controversial issues that become another cause for everyone who calls them self
pro-life. In this technological world, we can get lost in the excitement and
advancement. But at the heart of every matter, we must consider if the dignity
of every human is being upheld. If it is not, that is our call to make a change.
In the words of Anne Frank, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a
single moment before starting to improve the world."