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| October 2004 |
| Students finding ways to save lives |
Travis and Kelly Benson
Co-directors
Office of Respect Life
Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
Lobbyists |
At O’Gorman Junior High, a group
of teenagers are finding innovative ways to help save lives
and promote the sanctity of life.
O’Gorman Jr. High Students for Life was organized by Carolee
Weber and Cindy Miller in the Fall of 2001. This group was formed
to educate teens on pro-life issues from conception until natural
death. Currently, the group is led by Julie Cleary and Donna
Valente, and last year they had 31 students enrolled.
The students meet one Monday a month at 7:30 a.m. Often, a pro-life
speaker from the community is invited to talk to their group.
They also participate in several service projects throughout
the school year, help serve at the Respect Life Masses in October
and January, and attend the Rally for Love and Life and the
Walk for Life.
An exciting fund raising project last year resulted in a $700.00
donation to the Mother Teresa Endowment Fund. The students collected
loose change from their homes throughout the year and put the
money in Gatorade bottles. Some decorated them to look like
a baby bottle to remind them of their purpose: to help save
babies and assist mothers.
Bishop Carlson established the Mother Teresa Endowment Fund
with this important goal: that no woman in our diocese would
choose to have an abortion because she feels she does not have
the money to carry her child to term.
To this end, pregnant women in need are being provided with
financial and emotional support, and babies’ lives are
being saved. And all of this is possible through the generous
contributions of caring South Dakotans like the teenagers with
Students for Life.
Applying for assistance or making financial contributions to
the endowment is simple. Any mother in need can apply for assistance
by filling out a 2-page application, which is available at all
Catholic Family Services offices. There are no age, religion,
or marital status requirements. On the application, the mother
is asked to tell her story, share information about herself
and describe her specific needs. A committee then reviews each
application, and an appropriate allocation amount is determined
and distributed.
Since its inception, hundreds of mothers have been given financial
support to help with the expenses of medical bills, cribs, car
seats, formula, and other baby care needs. Others have received
help with rent or utility costs when special circumstances required
that they leave work, such as necessary bed rest.
If you are pregnant and need help, or know someone who is, please
contact the Mother Teresa Endowment at 1-800-700-7867, or your
local Catholic Family Services office, and request an application.
We also encourage you to follow the lead of the Students for
Life and conduct fund raising projects for this life-saving
endowment. Direct donations are received by Catholic Family
Services offices, Catholic Foundation, and by designating that
your CFSA contribution go directly to the Mother Teresa Endowment. |
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