Shawe Memorial at the Indy March for Life
Each year, a group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, accompanied by 3-4 adult chaperones, attends the Indy March for Life in Indianapolis on January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Since Roe v. Wade is no longer a federal law and has been turned over to individual states, we now march to keep our state laws strict and raise awareness for support for mothers in crisis, with the hopes of changing minds and hearts to choose life.
All students, attend the Youth Rally and Mass, with the opportunity for confession, held at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indy. Hundreds of people then gather to march peacefully and joyfully to the capital building and spend time listening to various speakers from varying faiths, as well as politicians and personal witnesses to the effects of abortion in their lives. Regardless of the temperatures,
The Rally is the kick-off for our group of students. A number of speakers and performers entertain and educate about not only abortion, but the very essence of life itself – God – and the preciousness of life at every stage. Embryos, fetuses, babies, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and students are brought to the center of attention to drive home the message. A spiritual awakening sometimes happens in the students. They are a small group in a collective group of hundreds who are there for the same reason. The worship of God in song and prayer is, at times, overwhelming.
The day ends with a meal together and the travel home.
The level of awareness that these students raise in one another about why life is precious, not just as children in the womb but in every aspect, can be astounding. They are not only exercising the freedom of peaceful protest that all Americans are afforded, but also cultivating a sense of awareness of the greatest teaching the Catholic Church promotes: the dignity of life.
John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The Toppers for Life continue to grow and expand. To do this, they raise funds to keep the trip cost to a minimum.
Service to others is a driving force behind the Pro-Life movement, and the Toppers for Life have added two service projects each year to live out the theme “Every Life Matters.” Students choose and coordinate the project, which can include anything from raking or shoveling for the elderly; participating in a silent protest; participating in a local march; working in a soup kitchen; or a letter campaign to representatives; blessing bags for the homeless; the Angel Tree Project; and diaper drives to benefit Birthline. The projects vary from year to year.
Students who are Toppers for Life also take turns planning an informative activity at each monthly meeting to become better informed as to what abortion, euthanasia, and eugenics are and what they do to our society.
From all of us, to all of you, THANK YOU, and GOD BLESS YOU and your generosity and support!
