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Archbishop Honors Pro-Life Club

Archbishop Robert Carlson presents the Bishop McNicholas Award to Pro-Life Club members at the Respect Life Convention. From left: Joel Ocampo '13, Kevin Brennan '13, Jack Schultz '13, Patrick Mulligan '13, August John '13 and (not pictured) Daniel Appelbaum '12. Photo by Lisa Johnston, St. Louis Review.

 The Pro-Life Club was honored with the Bishop McNicholas Award at the 35^th annual Respect Life Convention on Sunday, October 23^rd at the St. Charles Convention Center.  Archbishop Robert Carlson presented club members with the award for their respect for life in front of more than 1,000 attendees.

“My participation in the club and in any Pro-Life activity gives me a feeling of accomplishment, and I always feel better knowing I've stood up to the evils of abortion,” says Kevin Brennan ’13.  “Even though we have a small effect, our combined efforts with all the other Pro-Life organizations can really make a difference in the world.”

"I feel that the club is a huge support for me to continue to strive to be respectful towards life and get other people to have a greater respect towards life and others," says Joel Ocampo '13.

The Pro-Life club at SLUH meets three to four times per month to learn about and discuss a variety of Life issues, including abortion, embryonic cell research, euthanasia, capital punishment, slave labor, dehumanizing trade and labor practices, war and poverty. 

Some of the club’s activities include: petitioning political leaders; attending local rallies; marching with hundreds of thousands of others at the March for Life in Washington, D.C.; sharing the Gospel of Life with others; supporting organizations outside SLUH that support families, mothers, children, the elderly and the sick; planning and participating in service days; praying for a world where human life is embraced; and working to find common ground with those who share other views.

“I've really pushed the boys to consider "pro-life" as a lifestyle and not as an opinion or political view,” says club moderator Dave Callon.  “They can't change the culture, but they can be Men for Life in their own thoughts, words, and deeds.”

The Respect Life Convention featured Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice; keynote speaker Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide; and workshops on a range of life issues. The annual event is sponsored by the archdiocesan Respect Life Apostolate and serves as the agency’s largest fundraiser to support its various programs and event promoting awareness of life issues.

Established in 1983, the Bishop McNicholas Award is presented to a Catholic high school or parish youth group exemplifying a consistent ethic of respect for all human life through educational, spiritual, pastoral and public policy efforts.

Bishop Joseph A. McNicholas was a priest and auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Louis who encouraged a greater respect for the dignity of human life.  It was with the blessing of then Auxiliary Bishop McNicholas and Cardinal John J. Carberry that the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Committee, now the Respect Life Apostolate, was created.  It was the first of its kind in the nation and served as a model for dioceses across the country.