Diocesan students participate in March for Life

Feb.1, 2007

CARROLL/FORT DODGE - Students from Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll and St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge were among the eight busloads of Iowans for Life that went to Washington D.C. for the March for Life. Three of the eight busses originated within the boundaries of the Diocese of Sioux City - two started in Carroll and one in Fort Dodge.

This was the third year that Terri Prenger and her husband, Dave, escorted Kuemper students. Terri noted that each year the number of students have increased with six going the first year, 23 the second and 32 students making the trip this year.

"Teenagers today realize that over one-fourth of their generation have been murdered by abortion," she said. "Our youth are fully aware that they are the age being targeted to have abortions, to use contraceptives. They are considered the money makers for organizations such as Planned Parenthood."

Prenger said they also know what the church teaches and the importance of speaking out, peacefully protesting and prayers to end abortion.

"They are really carrying the weight of Roe v. Wade and they will have to work constantly to have it overturned," she said.

The group attended Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday night and then attended the youth rally and Mass on Monday morning before the March for Life.

In addition to the 32 Kuemper students, there were five other adult chaperones with the Carroll group.

Kathy Steffen of Carroll said, "We make this long trek to be peaceful and prayerful witnesses for all life from conception to death. Participating with over 200,000 people, mostly young adults and teens, is encouraging and inspiring to us to continue to struggle for changes in laws to protect all human beings."

Abby Wessling, a junior from Kuemper, said, "It was amazing to see the number of people who believe in Pro-life as strongly as I do. It was an experience I will never forget."

Paula Templemeyer was the sponsor and a chaperone for the St. Edmond's group. Thirteen St. Edmond students attended.

Jeff Nemmers, a junior at St. Edmond's, said, "My favorite part of the trip was reflecting upon the gift of life. I have seven brothers and sisters and can't imagine what life would be without them. It's hard to believe people would want to kill a person that they could grow with, love, and share so many experiences with".

His parents, Jeff and Darci Nemmers described their participation in the 2007 March for Life as a blessing. They said they were privileged to attend with their son Jeff and other members of the St. Edmond Respect for Life group.

"The witness that these young people gave for the culture of life was inspiring. They joined with their peers from all over the nation to boldly proclaim their generation's rejection of the lie of abortion," said the Nemmers in an e-mail. "These young people realize they are survivors of this present day holocaust. Their message was loud and clear - stop murdering our generation. Their passion and enthusiasm for life will definitely stay with us. We invite everyone in our diocese to experience next year's March. It is definitely worth it!"

Along with the Catholic school students and chaperones from this diocese, other parishioners from the diocese were part of the group.

Martha Stout of Coon Rapids reflected on spending over 40 hours in a bus within four days and having standing room only at Mass with a procession of seminarians, priests, bishops, archbishops and a cardinal taking over 20 minutes to process into and out of the church. Not to mention marching in a parade that is packed with babies in strollers, children, youth, young adults and adults.

But she said she enjoyed all of it beyond imagination.

"These are the memories I will keep with me after attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Not only was this a first for me I was able to share this with my 24-year-old daughter and 13-year old niece which made the time spent even more memorable," said Stout. "This was an opportunity of a lifetime shared with close family members to give support to the most important issue in our time in history - life from conception to natural death. Everyone should attend at least one - for life and for love."

Tessa Schaeller of Madrid said, "For the past four years, I've been blessed to attend the March for Life with my mother, the one who gave me life. My dad has joined us the past two years, and Grandma Doris, my dad's mom, has attended three of the four years. This year was the best of all because my brother Jake came along, making our whole family present at the March. It is such an incredible feeling to have three generations marching together to promote the dignity of human life from womb to tomb."

After the March, the group had a chance to visit with Representative Steve King and others visited with Senator Chuck Grassley.

"Then we listened as women from 'Silent No More' gave their personal testimonies of abortion on the steps of the Supreme Court. I think this is such a powerful presentation for our teenagers," said Prenger. "Most of them have not heard anyone actually talk about how their lives were destroyed by 'their choice.' All presenters spoke of the power of God's forgiveness."