Students for Life set to march
Emily Kreft
SLU SFL invites all of the SLU community to attend the March for Life, even if not a member.
The annual March for Life event is open for registration until Nov. 18.
Students interested can go to www.geocities.com/koehnkec/sfl.html or to Campus Ministry for a registration form. The forms can be given to Campus Ministry, or they can be turned in after the 4:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. Mass on Sunday. SLU SFL will also be selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts for 50 cents on Thursday, Nov. 15; they will also pass out and pick up registration forms at that time.
The dates for the trip are Jan. 19 to 23 and include a full itinerary that can be viewed on the Web site as well.
According to SLU SFL, the March for Life is an annual event where thousands of people peacefully protest the Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion. SLU SFL encourage the SLU community to go with them to Washington, D.C. to be part of the trip.
Many SLU SFL students make comments and descriptions of their experience on the March for Life trip.
Karen Bromeier, who went on the March for Life trip last year, said, “The ‘thing’ we call a cell or a fetus is a human life and deserves all the respect and dignity that any other human being does. The biological fact that a unique individual is formed at conception is the basis for my beliefs, but perhaps it is not the only force driving my desire to stand up for the lives of the unborn.”
The term “fetus,” is not only thought of as a ‘thing,’ the scientific term leaves many individuals unaware of the Greek definition for fetus, which is “little one.”
“As I reflected on our trip, many memories and thoughts came back to my mind. I thought about all of the awesome new people I had the chance to meet,” said Bromeier. “I thought how lucky I am to be able to experience all of these things as a result of a simple three days of being alive.”
Bromeier said, “Every day, thousands of aborted unborn ‘miss out’ on life. They never get to meet new people, make friends, stand up for their beliefs, see a sunrise, miss someone dear to them or see a simple smile.”
Chad Koehnke, co-president for SLU SFL, said, “The March is one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Thousands and thousands of people attest to the value of life in all shapes and forms.”
“I had the pleasure of attending the March last year—it was an incredible experience, to say the least…it was a symbolic testament showing the importance and sanctity of human life. It is my hope that many more SLU students will join us in the future and that the University as a whole will take a stronger stand on all issues that devalue human life…,” said Rick Gonzales, co-president for SLU SFL.
“The March for Life gives SLU students a chance to meet people of all different backgrounds who support the pro-life cause,” said Chris Lonergan, another member of SLU SFL.
In Washington, D.C., there is a Mass celebrated prior to the Annual March for Life. Last year Cardinal Law gave the homily, he said, “The Devil is no less at work in our age than he was in confronting Jesus, and since he has been from the beginning.
“His strategy is the same now as always: The Big Lie. It worked with Adam and Eve. Choice was how the Father of Lies tempted our first parents.
“‘Choose and become like God’” was the Devil’s mantra … there were other Christians in 304 who were tempted to choose silence, to choose evasion, to choose denial rather than to proclaim the saving truth about God, God Incarnate in Christ Jesus and the Church.”
President George W. Bush also commented on the March for Life last year, he said, “Good afternoon, friends and fellow citizens, Two days ago, Americans gathered on the Washington Mall to celebrate our Nation’s ideals.
“Today, you are gathered to remind our country that one of those ideals is the infinite value of every life…the promises of our Declaration of Independence are not just for the strong, the independent, or the healthy.
“They are for everyone—including the unborn child. We are a society with enough compassion wealth and love to care for both mothers and their children and to seek the promise and potential in every human life.
“I believe that we are making progress toward that goal. I trust in the good hearts of Americans. I trust in the unfolding promise of our country—an expanding circle of inclusion and protection.
SLU SFL meets every Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Busch Memorial Center, Room 201. “We always welcome new members,” said Koehnke.