By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 30, 2004

Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Sioux City recently received Respect Life packets from the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 3, kicks off a year-long campaign centered on the theme "Made In His Image." October has long been referred to as Respect Life Month and is used as a time to specifically address various life issues. With this in mind, schools throughout the diocese have planned numerous activities to celebrate the gift of life.

In Algona, Kathee Froehlich, principal at Seton Grade School, pointed out that they will hold a special K-8 Mass on Oct. 21 to be planned by the third graders. She stressed that while they put special emphasis on the importance to respect life during October, it is something they practice all year long.

She also mentioned that in the Respect Life materials, the liturgy guide included a rosary for life featuring the Luminous Mysteries and meditations on the mysteries of light, offered a prayer for life from conception to natural death.

"We have made a commitment to the rosary and devotion to Mary. Last year we spent the year studying and praying the rosary," said Froehlich. "We made a commitment to the rosary again this year, so this is a wonderful fit for us." The students will pray the rosary for life on a weekly basis.

Along with these prayerful ways to highlight Respect Life Month, the principal said they will collect food for the poor.

"The food collection is an ongoing process for us. We do it all year long. We believe it is important for students to know that it's not just a one time shot, we need to always be aware of others and their needs," said Froehlich, who added that last year her students collected money and items for Gehlen's Mission Honduras Project.

Each grade will also take part in a variety of activities.

At St. Patrick's in Sheldon, Principal Virginia Huss, pointed out that the Respect Life topic will flow through the school environment. Bulletin boards will be decorated with the theme "Circle of Life." The bulletin boards will feature a parent's memory of their St. Patrick student's childhood as well as memories of a special deceased person in the students' lives - encompassing the circle of life.

"We will recognize students and their accomplishments and have a Student of the Day each day in every classroom," she explained.

The principal pointed out that one of the highlights of the month will be a guest speaker/entertainer Danielle Rose, who will speak and perform at 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 25. This will be Rose's second stop in the diocese as she is keynoting the Diocesan Youth Rally the day before.

"Music has always been entwined with Danielle's life and faith, but a real turning point in both her spiritual and musical life came the summer she traveled to India to volunteer with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. This experience gave her new inspiration and purpose," said Huss.

Rose shares music about her faith journey with people in hopes that it will change their lives.

"We are very pleased to have her as part of our Respect Life activities," said the principal. "Her focus is going to be on Respect Life."

St. Patrick's students will also reach out to older persons in the community, as students will also bring music programs to the assisted living homes in Sheldon to show their appreciation for the elderly. Various other activities have been planned for individual classrooms.

Jean Hyslop, principal at Emmetsburg Catholic, said that the school will hold a Grandparents/Special Friend Day during Respect Life Month. The school has held this special day for about 25 years.

"Students invite their grandparents or special friends to share in a liturgy and meal. Students and their special guests also have the opportunity to have their picture taken together to honor their special relationship," she said.

The principal pointed out that Emmetsburg Catholic would also hold a liturgy or prayer service to recognize Respect Life Month.

"The anointing Mass is held to coincide with this liturgy," said Hyslop. "Students are then paired up with a prayer partner for the anointing. Throughout the year, letters and cards are shared back and forth to tell each how they are doing and that they are praying for their prayer partners."

In addition, she noted, that the school has adopted the Pass It On theme. Each Monday during the prayer service, students are reminded to share their kindness with others. A Bible reading for the service reflects the concept of respect each other, God, families, the community and the school.

Lorie Nussbaum, K-6 principal at Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars, noted that individual classes will be participating in a variety of activities throughout the month, but a few larger more school-wide items have also been planned for Respect Life Month.

Parishioners from the Le Mars area cluster parishes have been invited to attend the K-12 anointing liturgy on Oct. 13. Area nursing home residents are also welcome to attend the Mass that is held in the school gym.

"The priests do the anointing, but the students do the support by laying on hands," she explained.

The other large-scale activity planned by Gehlen relates to reaching out to a fellow student. Every student is writing a note of encouragement to freshman student who is receiving medical care in Rochester.

"We are going to send a few each day, so he will receive mail every day," noted Nussbaum. "This involves K-12, all faculty, staff and students."

Throughout the month, she anticipates that all liturgies and prayer services will reflect the Respect Life theme.

"I think that taking a special month of the year to really think and focus on respect for life helps our students to better understand the value of life and the dignity of it as well as our need as Christians to support all forms of life whether it be an aging grandparent, an unborn child or someone who is suffering from a disease or another kind of struggle," she said. "Through our work together, we can help them see God's uplifting spirit in whatever their struggles might be."