Teen thanks mom for the gift of life

Edmonton Pro-life youth conference declares life to be sacred

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Joel Horne thanked his mother Christine for giving him a chance to live.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Fourteen-year-old Joel Horne stood in a roomful of strangers because he had a message to share with them.

"I want to thank my mom for giving me a chance to live."

The Drayton Valley teen was among a group of about 60 youth who attended the Edmonton Pro-Life youth conference Oct. 28 at St. Alphonsus Church. The aim of the event was to instill leadership qualities in youth and to discuss ways of becoming active in the preservation of the sanctity of life.

Sitting proudly next to Joel was his mother, Christine.

Choice was there

"I am a single mom and I think Joel recognizes the fact that being born to a single parent, the choice (abortion) was there. And I chose to keep him," she told the WCR. Christine also has an eight-year-old daughter. "Joel has always said he really appreciates it."

Karen Richert of Edmonton Pro-Life would like to see more students take a stand against abortion. She wants the issues discussed in schools, parishes and the community.

School leadership

"Leadership in the schools is really big. It's what we are trying to promote," she said. "It's a perfect fit for junior and senior high students here today."

Ultimately, Richert wants a pro-life group in every school. She hopes to have a delegation in place to promote the issue when the United Nations youth conference comes to Edmonton in 2007.

It will be the first time the conference is held outside New York.

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Rob Blackmere sports a tatoo saying 'Let's make Abortion Extinct.'

"Why are people so unhappy that they are driven to abortion?

"Why is there such a lack of respect for life everywhere? We need to build a philosophical view about why life is sacred."

Guest speakers Tony and Colleen LaGrange passed around a framed photograph of a stillborn baby about 12-16 weeks old. Along with the photo was the baby's knitted burial shroud.

Michael Williams took a moment when the picture came his way.

"It was kind of neat seeing a premature baby," said Michael, 14. "When I'm older I want to be a pro-life leader."

His father, Bill, said seeing the photo hit close to home.

"We have been pro-life all of our lives. There is a moral conviction with the teachings of Christ that we believe," said Bill, a resident of Tofield.

"With that belief comes the understanding that life is precious and not to be denied. We have to do something about it."

Held his stillborn child

Bill has held and baptized his own stillborn baby.

"I have been there. It is very personal."

Alyssa Kathol is the oldest of five children. She is pro-life because everyone deserves the same chance to live.

"No matter how young or unhuman looking, from the moment of conception we are all equal," said Kathol, 15.

Richert wants youth to be educated, motivated and activated. She wants young men to become just as involved as the women.

"As a group, the Knights of Columbus are one of the main male groups who stand up for the cause to life," she said.

"Society tells them to mind their own business because it is a woman's issue. But I challenge all men to stand up. With chastity, they know their responsibility. But with human rights, it's everyone's responsibility."

Richert challenged the group to make some kind of commitment to pro-life. They can write letters. Maybe form a pro-life group in their school. Whatever they choose to do is important.

"I know there are a lot of good pro-life teachers out there. They can form a club. They can write a science paper about the dangerous effects of embryonic stem-cell use. Sadly, a lot of our parishes do not have any pro-life work going on. Bring the message to the home, parish and community," Richert said.

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