Be Our Guest / Phyllis and Bob Burkholder

Young men and women in southern Indiana, take time to stand up for life

Young men and women in your late teens and those of college age: have you ever wondered what to do with your Saturday mornings?

After a weeklong regimen of classes both online or in person, intense assignments, seeing and chatting with friends, playing sports and going to the gym, what can you do on a Saturday morning?

No, the answer is not sleeping. There is definitely something more worthwhile and very intriguing.

Recently on a Saturday morning, at Second and Market streets in Louisville, we saw a group of four young men in their early 20s huddled together—in prayer! It was quite a remarkable sight!

A young man with a microphone began speaking to girls and women entering an abortion mill. He was quoting Bible verses, speaking of God’s love for them and offering help for them at two nearby pregnancy centers. These were faith-filled young men doing God’s bidding.

Every Saturday morning, there are college-age students from a Protestant college. As mentors, they speak of God’s love and encourage women in “crisis pregnancies.” They tell the women that they are not alone, and help is available. These are very impressive young men and women indeed.

Another beautiful Protestant group is “Sisters for Life.” They come often to encourage young women that there are alternatives to abortion. They speak of the atrocities of Margaret Sanger and her followers, and what they have done to the Black population. They are a group of prayer warriors who trust in the Lord’s word and follow in his footsteps.

Our Catholic group prays four rosaries, a novena to Our Lady and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. These are mostly mid-age to older people who take part.

Oftentimes, families will come to pray. These prayer warriors are from all walks of life with one end in mind—to defeat and conquer the evil of abortion.

Once a month, we have Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville and walk down to pray at an abortion center as a group with more families joining in. We know with Jesus’ help and his Mother’s intercession, we will eventually win. We trust in God’s mercy!

Additionally, a local Protestant church group of young men and women were across the street preparing to make their way downtown to Jefferson Square. They carried garbage bags—to clean up after protests the previous night in Louisville. The previous day, I asked a young couple from this same group what they had been doing, and they answered, “Serving coffee to everyone.” I was truly amazed at their commitment to help rectify the violence of several nights.

I’m curious to know what these Protestant pastors are preaching to their congregation that inspires so many of their young people to bravely and prayerfully step forward. These young people mentioned were from different churches and colleges, and they came to pray.

During this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign, join us any morning at Second and Market streets in Louisville—the closest 40 Days for Life campaign for many who live in southern Indiana. And as St. John Paul II would always say, “Be not afraid!”

Young Catholic men and women, you are welcome, any time! We need your youth, support and zeal!
 

(Phyllis and Bob Burkholder are members of St. John Paul II Parish in Sellersburg.) †