Teens rally for life all night long
Published Mar 15, 2007
NEW LENOX—The blasts of electric guitar sounds and rumbles of drums rippled through the sanctuary as the Christian rock band, Fallen Rain, performed inspirational songs near the front of St. Jude Church in New Lenox. As young people arrived for the parish’s second annual youth pro-life rally and all night celebration, they clapped and cheered while the rockers belted out tune after tune.
In attendance were more than 120 teens from St. Jude Parish and surrounding faith communities, including St. Scholastica Parish in Woodridge, St. Joseph Parish in Manhattan and St. Anthony Parish in Frankfort, along with young people from Corpus Christi Parish in Carol Stream, Assumption Parish in Coal City and Holy Trinity Parish in Westmont. Students from Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox and Marist High School in Chicago also participated in the event.
Arriving in the evening March 10, the teenagers participated in workshops on life issues, dating, sex, relationships and other teachings of the Catholic Church.
The workshop that delved into the facts about abortion “really got to me,” said Josh Hamm. “It was powerful,” added the 16-year-old sophomore at Plainfield Central High School and member of the youth group at St. Jude Parish.
In the meantime, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was offered throughout the night in the parish school’s library. The young people also enjoyed refreshments and live entertainment as well as playing games in the parish gymnasium.
The teenagers left early the following day.
“It was fun,” said Patrice Kimzey. The 18-year-old senior at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox and member of the youth group at St. Jude Parish described the lock-in event as a “very positive and moving experience.”
The overall purpose of bringing the teens together for the lock-in was to empower them to “live out chastity” and to “educate them on life issues,” said Jenny Krumdrick, youth minister at St. Jude Parish.
During the program, an inspirational speaker, Father Thomas Loya, pastor of Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, talked with the young people about blending faith with modesty and decency.
Offering a spiritual testimony, St. Jude youth group member Jaron Gaier talked about the importance of faith programs for teens. The 17-year-old junior at Lincoln-Way Central High School said, “Youth groups fuel relationships with the Lord.”
