News

Dressing down with an uplifting message

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

"Live it. Give it. Love it. Life!"

Catholic school students throughout the diocese shared this message on National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day, Tuesday, April 24. Students at participating schools could buy pro-life T-shirts to wear in place of uniform shirts. The day marked the fifth annual of its kind in the Diocese of Green Bay.

"It's a day to celebrate the gift and sanctity of life," said Tina Pallini, one of the facilitators of the special awareness day. "We want to meet the students where they are, so T-shirts are a great way to reach them. We look for ways we can help the students see that life is a sacred gift from God."

Pallini, a Holy Family School (Green Bay) parent, and Chris Wert of St. Mary School, Greenville, developed the T-shirt program in response to the national effort from the American Life League. T-shirts produced by the American Life League feature mature, anti-abortion themes, so designs were created particularly for the K-12 students at diocesan schools. T-shirts, only $6 each, were available in both youth and adult sizes. The Knights of Columbus of St. Agnes Parish in Green Bay provided financial assistance for students who could not afford T-shirts. Proceeds, more than $700, were donated to Love Life, a ministry that provides spiritual and material support to low-income mothers and women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Approximately 900 T-shirts were sold for the 2007 campaign. Students also had the option to wear shirts from past years. A sacred scripture is included in the design year-to-year. The 2007 design features "For Nothing is Impossible with God," Luke 1:37. Stickers featuring "I am a new creation," were provided at schools for students without pro-life shirts. A respect life prayer was also distributed to the schools.

Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay promotes life throughout the entire week. Senior Maria DeMeuse has been active in planning activities.

"It creates a lot of conversation at the school," said DeMeuse. "Last year we had a display, a cemetery of the unborn in the commons. We also had hand painted pictures that stand for life. Sr. Laura Zelten, (OSF) our campus minister is organizing it this year."

"One out of every four children is a victim of abortion," she added. "Think of how many kids are lost."

DeMeuse praised her generation for being pro-active in the pro-life movement, but said there is much more support needed.

"We need to keep on praying and striving in our youthfulness," she said. "Definitely out of prayer comes action. This is not just a billboard, but a way to live. Through the help of Christ, we can change lives and change hearts."

Participation in Pro-Life T-Shirt Day has grown each year, said Pallini. Participating schools in 2007 span from All Saints in Denmark to St. Mary in Greenville. Organizations, including Love Life, also participate.

"I hope it continues to be a positive educational tool," said Pallini. "It's everybody coming together to give God's message. From Global Recognition printing the shirts, to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, the volunteers at the schools, the students who buy and wear the shirts, everyone does a little part to make this celebration of life possible."

For more information, contact Tina Pallini at (920)497-1541 or jtpallini@yahoo.com.