The pro-life movement is growing every year. According to a May 2018 Gallup poll, since 1996, the percentage of Americans identifying as pro-life has grown by 15 percent.
Many pro-life supporters also observe an increase in young people joining the movement. To see this, just attend one of the many March for Life rallies held across the country in January. Churches and groups from all over send representatives to voice the pro-life position at our nation’s capital and major cities.
This defies the common narrative we hear in the media and popular culture—that young people are increasingly secular, liberal, and opposed to organized religion. Although true in many cases, the strong support for the pro-life cause reveals a bright future for Christian values and the human rights of the unborn.
St. Mary Teens March
This year, Saint Mary Mokena was represented at both the Chicago March for Life and the 46th National March for Life in Washington DC.
Teens from the Saint Mary youth group attended March for Life Chicago on Sunday, January 13. Emma Holuj, one of the teens who attended, described her experience at the March.
“The March for life is important because it gives hope to humanity and all babies here in America. Abortion strips children of their rights, especially the most important right- life. The marchers are the voices for these poor voiceless babies who deserve a shot at life.
“The March for life is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. The joy from each person spreads throughout the entire area. It is a March but also a celebration of the lives we were able to have. Once you arrive you are surrounded with support and encouragement, and it feels like everyone there is your friend.
“The March is one of the most inspiring events I have gone to. All the support from the marchers motivates me to help give these poor babies a future. It makes you appreciate what you have and who you got it from, and the whole experience makes you stronger in your faith, and more joyous in your life. I highly recommend the March for Life to anyone who believes in the sanctity of life, and anyone who wants to share their voice with the world.”
Representing Mokena in D.C.
A week later, Melissa Novak, Director of Faith Formation at Saint Mary, traveled down to Washington D.C. for the national March for Life. This was her sixth time attending the march.
Melissa provided the following statement on her experience:
“I was talking to a firefighter on the side of the street prior to the march and she asked what the march was for, so I explained. She said, ‘I’m pro-life too, but I don’t protest about it.’
“It later occurred to me that if we never did anything to stand up for our beliefs, we would never see change. That’s why I march; To defend the unborn. The secular media under-reports the march every year. Catholic news sources report 300,000+ participants. It’s very inspiring to see people from so many religious denominations and racial backgrounds coming together to defend life.
“This March has grown to include people from around the world. It never occurred to me that people from other countries would attend to defend life in the US. That’s how important of an issue this is. Over 60 million lives lost. It’s beyond tragic.”
If you would like to participate in St. Mary Mokena’s pro-life activities, consider joining the pro-life committee, which meets the second Monday of every month at 8:30 am in the church hall.
If you cannot attend the weekday morning meetings, the committee holds various events throughout the year. Please see the bulletin for upcoming events.
The Mokena Marian 
That’s good to see our parish stand up for life makes alot of vocies be heard!!
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