Helias Catholic H.S. students take part in their own March for Life
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Students at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City stretched their legs, their minds and their hearts on Jan. 29.
The school had its own March for Life in response to 48 years of legalized abortion throughout the United States.
Groups of students walked around the old school track throughout the day.
“We’re walking to promote pro-life and end abortions,” said sophomore Arica Ketcherside, who helped set up for the event.
“We want to give everyone a chance to live,” she said. “Every human life deserves a chance.”
Signs of the times
There were sobering messages at every few steps along the track, shedding light on the inalienable sanctity and dignity of all human life.
Most of the messages pertained to abortion. One stated: “Over 4,000 pre-born infants are killed daily, or over 1 million a year. Some call this the silent holocaust.”
Other signs highlighted Catholic principles of social justice, beginning with the life and dignity of the human person.
“We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person,” a message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops stated.
Explanations of the other principles followed, including the call to family, community and participation; the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable; the dignity of work and the rights of the worker; solidarity; and care for God’s creation.
A sign containing a quote from St. Theresa of Kolkata stated, “No one should die alone. Each human should die with the sight of a loving face.”
Another placard pointed to the current refugee crisis, the largest in history, with 79.5 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, 20 million of those being refugees.
Another revealed that 50,000 people become victims of human trafficking in the United States each year.
Another stated that nearly 700 million people around the world subsist on less than $2 a day.
Another contained an estimate that between 20 million and 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern-day slavery.
Another noted that Planned Parenthood performs more than 300,000 abortions each year.
These and other affronts against human life and dignity contribute to a culture of death and factor into the number of people who seek abortions.
An excerpt from the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities stated: “Only with prayer — prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and souls — will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life.”
Where it all begins
Helias Catholic junior Josie Heckenkamp and a friend were making their sixth trip around the track.
“We’re trying to spread awareness for the unborn, because they don’t have a voice themselves,” Josie stated.
She said it matters because “all human life is sacred and important, and we should do our best as Catholics to fight for them.”
She often hears the slogan, “My body, my choice.”
“But it’s not just their body,” she said. “There’s another person involved. An infant in the womb doesn’t get a choice.”
She said one way to help is to join an organization such as the Life Runners, which raises money and awareness about abortion and helps pregnant women in crisis know their options for life.
Helias junior Alexa Lamb is a Life Runners member and has traveled to several states to take part in pro-life events.
“We need to fight for our rights from womb to tomb,” she said. “If we don’t protect life in the womb, who says we’ll be able to protect life outside of the womb?”
“Abortion should not be a choice, because in the end, it’s only going to hurt everyone involved,” she stated.
To anyone suffering from regret from an abortion, she would say: “I’m here for you. I will pray for you and I can help you in any way you need help.”
Much to think about
Students also contributed $1 apiece to take part in a dress-down day, raising over $920 for the local Pregnancy Help Center.
Father Stephen Jones, the school’s chaplain, was impressed by the energy and attention the students put into the event.
“So many individual classes took part throughout the day, witnessing and learning about all the issues in the Church relating to the sanctity of life,” he said.
Helias Catholic President and Principal Kenya Fuemmeler said the event turned out “really well” and could become an annual tradition.
In the meantime, organizers hope the day’s message will linger.
“Our goal was to give everyone an opportunity to reflect on how they value the human person in all circumstances,” stated Maureen Quinn, campus minister.
