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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  Youth conference to promote culture of life

by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 28, 2008

Detroit — An upcoming youth conference will feature speakers, bands and, most importantly, learning about being involved in a culture that promotes life.

A youth group known as Building Bridges to a Culture of Life is hosting its fifth annual pro-life youth conference, themed "Born into a Life of Hope" after Pope Benedict XVI's recent encyclical, "Spe Salvi" (on Christian hope). Bishop Daniel E. Flores is expected to celebrate Mass for the youths.

The conference began after a group of teens who were involved in the March for Life brainstormed for ideas to reach more people their own age to share about being a part of a culture of life, explained Caitlin Callaghan, a conference promotions committee member. The idea was to answer Pope John Paul II's call to build that culture of life, and the youth wanted to do that year-round.

Over the years, the conference has addressed many of the same themes — chastity, abortion — but in different ways with a different theme, Callaghan explained. With the help of adult mentors, many of them parents of youths involved, the youths have expanded the event over the years — this year the planning committee has focused on bringing three bands to end the conference.

"It gets bigger and bigger every year," Callaghan said.

After registration, youths are invited to pray the rosary before the presentation "A Hope for Every Life," a panel on adoption by adoptive parents, biological parents who have given their children up for adoption, and adoptive children. Break-out sessions following that will discuss virtue and character in various vocations; the tragedy of abortion and the healing Christ brings; how to be a successful witness to Christ in college; and how bioethics and pro-life legislation affects everyone.

Before Mass, Bishop Flores will speak on how Christ is the hope for the Church. The concert follows dinner; bands include local talent Obsidian Crush and International Coast Guard as well as Critical Mass, who will be playing at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia this summer.

Eucharistic adoration and confession will be available through the day.

Callaghan, now an Oakland University freshman who got involved the second year of the conference, said that many of the original group of youths who attended have graduated and moved on, although some have active roles in the pro-life clubs at their universities. As the conference evolves, planners learn more and more about promoting it and running it smoothly, and meeting the needs of the attendees. For example, the first year she attended she remembered she had a hard time choosing between breakout sessions, so now there are fewer.

She said the conference serves many purposes — yes, it's a time to have fun, meet up with friends and listen to good music, but it's also important to learn about the value of life, a tenet of the Church — as well as to know that other youths feel the same way as you do. "You're not alone," she said. "I find myself being more enthusiastic about the importance of being pro-life."

Callaghan, a member of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Sterling Heights, and a Troy resident, added that turnout for confession is usually pretty good at the conference, likely inspired by what the youths learn and experience at the presentations. Most of those who attend are Catholic, although there are usually a few Christians of other denominations, and all are welcome. Usually close to 200 youths attend, she said, and they'd like to see that number reach 300 this year.

Although the youths do enjoy the speakers and the free t-shirt, the most important thing for her, Callaghan said, is getting everyone together for the Mass. "The Mass seems like the most powerful thing of the day," she said. "That's the thing that really brings everyone together."