When 11 of our high school youth group members travelled with St. William of Vercelli Knights of Columbus and Dads’ Club members to the 32nd Annual Respect Life Dinner last Thursday, their presence at a table in the center of the room did not go unnoticed. Check out the Saturday, March 27, 2010 Oakland Press article reprinted below:
“Everybody counts” was the message that resounded loud and clear during a Respect Life event at Burton Manor in Livonia.
Dozens of area metropolitan high school students from Oakland County and beyond chimed in with a crowd of 600 other anti-abortion advocates Thursday, including Archbishop Allen Vigneron, leader of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, who challenged participants at the 32nd annual Respect Life dinner to regroup, refocus and reaffirm “the voice of truth in the public square.”
He also advised participants to pause, reflect and pray.
Attorney General Mike Cox, among other civic and community leaders, including Pam Bouchard, were present.
Leaflets saying Cox is leading the fight against the just-passed health care legislation were passed out.
“Yes, we’re disappointed, but there is much work to do in enshrining rights to life that will have to follow implementing health care legislation,” Vigneron told the audience.
“What shall we do tomorrow and in the future to respect all of life from the womb to natural death?” he asked, urging pastors to partner with Respect for Life of Michigan, be vigilant for life and support the cause.
“For better or worse, we’re joined at the hip as we win some and lose some,” said Brian Cusack, director of development for the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund.
A $10,000 check from the Knights of Columbus Michigan State Council was presented to Right to Life, while others pledged financial support, including several tables of area high school students who chimed in. This including Novi Catholic Central Jamal Jasser, who vowed to “help support the pro-life cause,” and Brendan McClorey, who said he wants “to get involved and stand up.”
Jessica Gatten of Walled Lake Western pledged to support the Knights in anti-abortion activity, while Livonia Ladywood student leader Katie McDonald “wanted to support a good cause,” and Walled Lake Northern’s Shelby Diftenderfer also aims to continue to work with pro-life.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep student Daniel Terzano “believes that one day we, as a country, will be pro-life.”
South Lyon East High School student James Smith said: “I wanted to support what I believe in and be around others who share my beliefs.”
Several Oakland County clergy also attended, including the Highland Holy Spirit Parish pastor, the Rev. Leo Lulko.
“We love babies and can’t imagine anyone killing one,” said Janelle Radtke of Walled Lake St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Her husband, Gerry Radtke, who attends Our Savior Lutheran in Hartland, said he and his wife attend each other’s churches, supporting pro-life causes.
