Remsen group marches, serves in Washington, D.C.

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Jan. 31, 2008

REMSEN - While many parishioners of the Diocese of Sioux City bussed it to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March for Life, students and adult chaperones from St. Mary's flew there from Omaha.

According to Mary Arens, spiritual life director at St. Mary's in Remsen, 31 students and nine adults made the trip. In addition to the 28 St. Mary's students, two from Gehlen Catholic in Le Mars and one from Spalding High School in Granville participated.

"As soon as we got out there we hit the National Cathedral, the Smithsonian and Hardrock Café - all in one day," she said. Day two included Mass, a visit to the Holocaust Museum and a tour of the monuments. "The pace was unbelievable - but every night we ended the day with Scripture, reflection and prayer. Every night students would talk about where they met Christ that day."

The main purpose of the trip was to participate in the March for Life on Jan. 22.

"When we learn in the classroom how important this movement is to belong to and then leave this little area where we are in the midst of 200,000 people, I believe it instills the fire and passion in our students to continue their longing to bring this to an end," said Arens.

Mitchel Frericks, a senior at St. Mary's, called the march amazing.

"I never realized there were so many Right to Life people out there," he said. "Everybody was praying, singing songs and marching together. It was neat."

Nicole Bohnenkamp, a sophomore at St. Mary's, found the march to be amazing. She was surprised by the diversity of marchers - from very young to elderly.

After seeing so many people at the march it made her think: How can this not make a difference?

Anna Geier, a junior at Gehlen Catholic, gained greater interest in the pro-life movement after students from St. Mary's presented a pro-life program at her school.

"After seeing that, I realized that something needed to be done about abortion and I thought what better than to go to our nation's capitol and profess what we believe," she said.

Sarah Pohlen, a senior at Spalding Catholic, said she wanted to go on the trip because she strongly opposes abortion. She was impressed by the speakers at the pep rally to kick off the march.

Shanna Higgins, a senior at St. Marys, recalled seeing thousands of people and all types of signs. She wanted to go to the march because she believes it is important for people to take action to end abortion.

It wasn't only marching, sightseeing and prayer though as Arens lined up service projects for the group.

"I've always been a firm believer that we should always combine service with social," noted Arens. "Our number one goal of this trip was marching for life, but with that I felt service was a necessity and it goes along with everything else in respecting life in all forms."

They were divided into four groups and each worked at one of four charitable organizations on the morning of Jan. 21, which was day 3. The locations included Martha's Table, the D.C. area's largest soup kitchen; an AIDS and Hospice shelter run by the Missionaries of Charity, a soup kitchen run by the Missionaries of Charity and St. Anne's Infant and Maternity Ward, which is a home for children who become wards of the state.

Arens served at St. Anne's. They rocked babies and played with young children.

"Some of these children had AIDS and others were there because of abuse," she said.

Arens mentioned that one of the St. Mary's students befriended a 12-year-old boy who had not opened up to others. It was Frericks who gave the attention to the young boy, Alonzo.

"We talked about football and played basketball. He was really laughing and having a good time," said Frericks. "I also got to hold some babies and play with younger kids."

Bohnenkamp also served at St. Anne's. She mentioned that she played with toddlers and then one little girl wanted to be held so she held her for about an hour.

"I felt like she just wanted someone to love her because there are not enough people there to be able to hold them all day long," she said. "I thought there was no better place I could be."

When they left, though, she said it was difficult because they could see the "faces drop and we could tell they were thinking, 'Why does everyone leave me.'"

Pohlen mentioned that the children at St. Anne's climbed all over them because they wanted to play.

At St. Anne's, Geier mentioned that they taught the older kids how to play the basketball game Knock Out.

Higgins served at the AIDS and Hospice Center. They did a variety of odd jobs around the center and spoke with the workers. One of the sisters knew Mother Teresa and told stories about the sacred woman.

Shelby Steichen, a junior at St. Mary's High School in Remsen, volunteered at Martha's Table.

"My time there was an extraordinary experience," she said. "It was eye-opening just to see the amount of people in need all over Washington. I feel blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work with such wonderful, giving people."

Steichen said the trip taught her to appreciate what has been given to her and showed her how to express concern and love of the less fortunate.

After the morning of service on Jan. 21, the group went to the basilica at 2:30 p.m. for the Vigil Mass, which didn't start until 7 p.m. Even when they arrived, the church was filled except for floor space.

Thanks to a tip from The Globe, Arens was aware that Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo was going to be in Washington, D.C. She asked Kevin Vickery, diocesan superintendent of schools, to help arrange a meeting with the new cardinal. Cardinal DiNardo willingly agreed to meet the Remsen group after Mass.

Upon seeing her, the cardinal reached out his hand and said, "Mary." She was surprised that he knew her right away.

"He was so gracious to come and visit with us. He spoke to the students at length," said Arens. "He shared stories of when he had been in Sioux City."

Frericks said it was special for "someone so high up" to talk to the group.

Knowing the cardinal is so busy, Geier said she was in shock that he took the time to speak with the group.

"All around it was an amazing trip," she said.

One of the Remsen students had purchased a cross necklace in the gift shop at the basilica and asked the cardinal to bless it.

Prior to the March for Life, they met with Senator Grassley and toured the capitol building. After the march, the group treated themselves to a seven-course ethnic meal at a Moroccan restaurant.