Prince of Peace teenagers are embracing pro-life advocacy

Father John Meyer, right, the pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison, blesses teenagers who were preparing to participate in the 37th annual March for Life in Washington during a Jan. 17 prayer service at St. Patrick Chapel in Madison. Youth ministry coordinator Joe Stilwell, second from right, also teaches religion classes at Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

By Mary Ann Wyand

MADISON—The 37th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., is over, but their pro-life advocacy is just beginning for a group of teenage Prince of Peace parishioners.

Twenty students from three southern Indiana high schools, including one teenager who is homeschooled, focused on prayers for life before their pro-life pilgrimage to the nation’s capital for the Jan. 22 march.

Father John Meyer, the pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison, blessed the youths during a Jan. 17 prayer service at the historic St. Patrick Chapel on the hill above this scenic Ohio River community.

After the prayer service, three students said it was their first time to participate in the national pro-life demonstration.

“Abortion has always hit me hard,” said Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School junior Susan Goley of Madison.

Prayer is Susan’s solution for ending legalized abortion in the United States.

She intends to focus on “prayers for all those who are affected by abortion,” and will especially pray “that people who are thinking about abortion can make the right decision for life.”

Susan said she would encourage a teenage girl facing an unplanned pregnancy to talk with an adult that is knowledgeable about pro-life assistance.

“I would introduce her to Father Meyer,” she said, “or someone else who would be able to give her ideas for other options besides abortion.”

Society and the entertainment media promote sexual promiscuity and make abortion seem acceptable, Susan said. “It’s kind of hard to avoid [that message]. I definitely see the effects of that on other people, but it’s not something I would do. I would think about what God and my parents would want from me. My parents raised me as a Catholic.”

Homeschooled junior Ben Terpening of Madison has “always been against abortion since I learned about it.”

He plans to discuss the importance of being pro-life with other teenagers in the future.

“Our society is against violence except for abortion,” Ben said. “Killing unborn children is really disgusting, and it’s looked upon as something of the norm now. I would definitely say that the media has affected it hugely.”

Madison High School junior Sam Campbell said he doesn’t understand why abortion is legal.

“People outside the womb aren’t supposed to be violent, but we can kill babies in the womb,” Sam said. “It seems hypocritical to me.”

Youth ministry coordinator Joe Stilwell of Madison said he is excited that the Prince of Peace teenagers are so enthusiastic about supporting respect for the sanctity and dignity of life.

“The kids are very adamant about their pro-life stance,” he said. “[Participating in] the march helps them develop the skills to share their pro-life beliefs with others.”

Stilwell also teaches religion classes at Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School.

“Abortion is the most frustrating hot topic in the news right now,” he said. “We are living in perhaps the greatest country in the world, but abortion is legal here. For the youths to have to process why we allow something that is so horrible to happen is confusing to them. There’s just no reason for abortion to be legalized.

“It’s of the utmost importance for our youths to be pro-life leaders and speak out for those who can’t speak for themselves,” Stilwell said. “We all need to be voices for the voiceless. It’s very important for the youths in particular to flex their muscles as far as being advocates for the unborn. I hope this experience will lead to a lifelong commitment for them to advocate for what is right.” †