June 5, 2019 By Colleen Miner Students for Life of America headlined two days of teaching for diocesan teens May 17 at IHC in Watertown and “The Youth Buses for Life were registered for the National Students for Life Conference held the day after the DC March for Life, but a snowstorm prevented us from participating,” said Colleen Miner, coordinator of the Youth Buses for Life yearly pilgrimage. “Roads in Pennsylvania and New York were being closed by the governors, so we had to leave the DC area sooner than anticipated.” When Miner shared the news with Kate Maloney, Northeast coordinator of Students for Life, Maloney offered to come to the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Since the two Youth Buses for Life originated from Watertown and mid-diocese, the days were planned for those locations. Thirty-five Immaculate Heart Central School students were among the 56 who traveled on the Western Youth Bus for Life, so the first day of Maloney’s visit was planned for IHC. The day began with an assembly for the whole school, conducted by Maloney. Bishop Terry R. LaValley attended the assembly entitled “Pro-Life Apologetics.” Maloney also taught the morning religion classes, and there were two information tables set up for lunchtime, with materials from the Respect Life Office and Students for Life. Saturday’s Teen LIFE Day was a Leadership conference planned around the Students for Life five pillars: converse, convert, confront, advocate and support. SFLA strives to create effective and well-rounded student groups to fight abortion on multiple fronts. The day included presentations by Dr. Jan Patterson (Gianna of Albany), Kathleen Gallagher (NYS Catholic Conference), Nancy Belzile (40 Days for Life and Silent No More Awareness) and Kitty St. Denis (Plattsburgh Pregnancy Center). Maloney led a Pro-Life Jeopardy game with the students, as well as sidewalk-chalking with messages of hope for those in an unexpected pregnancy. There were information tables from: the diocesan Natural Family Planning and Respect Life offices, Gianna of Albany, 40 Days for Life, Silent No More and Students for Life. Eucharistic Adoration was held in the side chapel throughout the day. Half-hour time slots of prayer were filled by parishioners. The day concluded with Benediction at 3:30, although some students stayed and helped with 4:30 Mass. Maria and Sophia Tartaglia of Potsdam served as readers. Morgan and Megan Roundpoint from St. Regis Falls, and seminarian Kevin McCullough were altar servers for Mass, which was celebrated by Father Alex Guimpol. Local businesses who donated to support the educational efforts include McDonald’s (juice boxes), Price Chopper (paper products), Starbucks (coffee), Dunkin Donuts (coffee, hot cocoa, donuts), Stewart’s (milk, soda). Pizza was donated by Owl’s Nest, Pizza Hut and Mr. Mike’s. The days were made possible by a grant from the Respect Life collection. One college student in attendance indicated she is interested in starting a Students for Life Club on her campus. For more information about starting a club or hosting Students for Life, please visit: www.studentsforlife.org
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May 18 at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake. The efforts were coordinated through the diocesan Respect Life Office.