An Excerpt from Megan's Speech

April 2005

             A young couple was so excited about the pregnancy of their first child.   At the ultrasound appointment they sat in the waiting room wondering what their baby would be like.   Who would the child look like?   Their anticipation mounted during the sonogram when they saw those little hands and feet on the monitor animated with such vitality.   As the mother felt a kick in the womb, they saw the tiny little body move in the screen.   It was amazing.   They knew in only a few short months, this small baby would be able to be held in their arms.   Their excitement was temporarily put on hold, however, when the doctor informed them of the ultrasound report.   There was a hole in the heart of the baby and possible signs of Down’s syndrome.

            The couple was offered many alternatives, one of which was to abort the fetus.   The soon –to- be parents knew that keeping this baby could entail devoting their entire lives to the care taking of this one human being.   If their baby does have Down’s syndrome, they will struggle with every aspect of parenting.   Nothing will come easy.   The baby will never grow up to be independent, never go to college, and have to rely on them for the rest of his/her life.   Knowing this, the couple chose to continue the pregnancy.   They agreed that even if their baby does in fact have Down’s syndrome, it will still remain their child, a gift from God, and they would love it forever.

            It is unfortunate that every child is not greeted with this same outlook.   Every year 1.32 million babies are aborted.   It is amazing that this first class world power can condemn murderers and terrorists for the destruction of innocent lives, but can live with the choice to destroy the lives of their own children. Over 44 million babies have lost their lives to abortion.

            Pro-choice and pro-abortion supporters argue that abortion is not a crime because the fetus is not a life.   Doctors and scientists in regards to this controversial issue have tried to fine- tune the definition of life and at what stage of development does it begin.   At the First International Conference on Abortion held in Washington, DC in October, 1967, six years before Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decisions that legalized abortion, a medical group of biochemists, professors, doctors and geneticists researched where human life began.   The majority concluded that there was NO point in time between the time of conception and the birth of the infant at which they could say that it was not a human life.   They went on to conclude that the changes occurring between a an embryo, a one –week old child, a thirteen year old teenager or a mature adult are merely stages of development of what is already provided from the sperm and egg.   It is human; it only needs time to grow.

            The creation of human life should never be taken lightly.   Every child is created in God’s image and therefore we do not have the right as human to take that life no matter what the circumstance.   It is God’s will, not ours.   Every person has a right to life.  

            On April 11, 1987 the couple whose story I mentioned at the beginning gave birth to a baby girl.   Immediately the infant underwent a series of test to determine if she in fact had Down’s syndrome.   The answer to those tests is standing in front of you today.   I am the child that was deemed wanted, whether I was healthy or not.    My parents recognized God’s gift of life no matter what the wrapping paper might have been.   They understood that abortion kills innocent children.   It is my hope that soon all men and women will understand these facts that my parents recognized 18 years ago and that someday we will treat all people with respect and abortion will be recognized for what it really is.

Megan Schaedel was Clover Hill High School’s Salutatorian for the graduating class of 2005.   Her speech came in fourth in the state.

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Congratulations Eliza!
Many thanks
for your ministry
with the homeless!

Eliza's Project Summary

My volunteer community service project was CARITAS through my church.

My mom has always been actively involved in CARITAS and took me with her. Then when I got older I made the decision I wanted to continue with the ministry.

My service project impacted the homeless by giving them a safe and warm place to stay, warm clothing and something healthy to eat.

My inspiration would have to be my mother. She brought me with her since I was in elementary school. I enjoyed seeing the smiles on people's faces even though they had so little, but cherished every penny they had. I learned through mingling with them that being homeless is not always your fault. That most of them have jobs and work more hours in one day than people who live in nice neighborhoods. They just can't make ends meet because of their low wages. I felt it was important to give back to your community when you have so much and others have so little.

I helped to get the parish community involved by running signups after liturgy. People would sign up to bring food or clothes, wash clothes, drive to showers or pack lunches. I worked with two adults and the CARITAS organization at my church. On the night that the homeless arrived I greeted them at the door, served food that I had helped to prepare, ate and mingled with them and helped to pack lunches for them to take to their jobs the next day.

My community service project accomplished giving the homeless a warm, safe place to sleep, a healthy meal and new clothing. Each night we could serve between thirty and forty-five people, mostly men. Our church will continue to be part of the CARITAS program for two weeks out of the year for many years to come.

What I myself got out of my project was learning to cherish what I have and be thankful for it. I took for granted a warm place to sleep, the clothes I wanted and the food that I like to eat. I learned that one set back could cost you your life savings. I learned to talk to strangers and be comfortable with their situation. When I was serving food I observed people who did not like the food but ate all of it anyways because it may be the only warm meal they had in a week. I would tell other children who wanted to get involved in the CARITAS program that it brings a warm feeling to your heart knowing you're helping get onto their feet.

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