In South Florida, teens also walk for life

By Jonathan Martinez - Florida Catholic

Photography: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC

SOUTHWEST RANCHES | A week before thousands marched for life in the midst of a blizzard in Washington, D.C., hundreds gathered at Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School here for what has become an impactful yearly tradition, the 16th annual Walk for Life.

The Jan. 16 walk was hosted by the school's Respect Life Club and served as a conduit to raise awareness about the multiple facets of the respect life movement. It also served to raise funds for the South Broward Pregnancy Help Center and the Our Lady of Hope ExpectantRespect Life Center in Hollywood.

“It’s great to see how much support we have for families that have chosen life.  It’s great to show the kids that they are not alone in supporting life,” said Christopher Covone, the school’s Respect Life Club advisor and chair of its Theology Department.

Students, parents and faculty from Archbishop McCarthy High were joined by students from neighboring archdiocesan schools as well as members of local youth groups, parishes, community volunteers and pro-life supporters.

The theme of this year’s Walk for Life was “Life Guards.” Many of those who participated wore “Life Guard” shirts, a play on words suggesting the mission of the Respect Life Club at the school.

“It's the next generation right here, the Church is here,” said Deacon James Dugard of St. Louis Parish in Pinecrest, who also represents the archdiocesan Respect Life Ministry in Miami-Dade County.

A few days later, Deacon Dugard and Joan Crown, archdiocesan director of the ministry, would lead a group of 120 high school students and their chaperones to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

“This is the up-and-coming leadership and the more they understand that life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, then the message can really get across and change hearts, minds and perhaps change policy in our own government,” Deacon Dugard said.

This year’s walk began early in the morning, in the midst of an intense fog. Participants walked, jogged and ran for close to three hours. With each lap, they not only helped raise awareness: They also raised over $600.

Many of those who attended also brought with them baby supplies and other much needed donations for the Our Lady of Hope Expectant Respect Life Center.

Twenty of those walking that morning later traveled with the archdiocesan group to the national March for Life in Washington, D.C.

“It’s awesome seeing especially the young kids, the youth group kids,” said Gabriela Rodriguez, a senior at Archbishop McCarthy High and president of its Respect Life Club. “At Washington we always have signs that say, ‘I am the pro-life generation,’ and I think that having so many young people support this cause and stand up for life is such a beautiful thing.”

The march ended with the participants praying the rosary during the final lap.

Father Jeff McCormick, pastor at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Pembroke Pines, said he has participated in the march at Archbishop McCarthy High for the past 14 years.

“The sanctity of human life is at the heart of our beliefs,” he said. “Having children this age engage in something like this gets them aware of that important part of who we are as a Church."

One more Walk for Life will be taking place this Sunday, Jan. 31, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School, 10300 S.W. 167 Ave., Miami. Funds raised at this walk will benefit the South Dade Pregnancy Help Center.