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Volume
Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
5
Number 32 • May
Make Room At The
Asheville Parishes Walk To
10,
1996
Inn
By PAUL FREDETTE
ASHEVILLE
— Neither
Jessica Gordon nor friend Shea members of the youth group at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, had actually visited Room At The Inn, but their excitement about the Walk-A-Thon for Life was obvious.
Drummond, both
teen-age
"It's a really great idea
women
—
it's
the only Catholic place for
whole state," said Jessica, who also participated in last year' s walk. For Shea, it was the first opportunity to show her support for "women who were making such an effort to carry on with their lives by making a home for their babies." This seemed reason enough for most of the 40 people who gathered on April 27 for the second annual "Two Mile Walk-AThon For Life." Diocesan wide, more than 250 people participated. Groups in Charlotte, Greensboro, High Point, and teens at the Diocesan Youth Conference in Clover, S.C., were among those who walked for life. Deacon Jos Vandermeer of St. Eugene Church led the small but bright-spirited group in prayer before starting the brisk 2.3 mile walk from the front door of St. Eugene Church in north Asheville to the back door of the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Several other fund-raising efforts, including the March of Dimes, had also pregnant
in the
scheduled walk-a-thons, so the traffic police of Asheville, including most of the morning.
the horse-mounted units, stayed busy
St. Photo by
PAUL FREDETTE
Maria Jacinta Wasilewski, one-year-old daughter of Rita Wasilevvski, was among participants in the April 27 Walk-For-Life.
Jessica's parents, Helen and Jack Gordon, are leaders of the Lawrence youth group and quite proud of the number of teens
who
turned out for the event despite conflicting schedules and St. Lawrence the sanctity of human life gets real emphasis as one of the first priorities of all Catholics,"
crowded commitments. "At says Helen,
s Amazing What Kids Can
"It'
who was
a coordinator of this year's walk-a-thon in
the Asheville area. "Since this gets continuous attention through
Do"
preaching, teaching, family programs and devotions, the youth participate in these events as a matter of course."
Leo School Academic Features Educational Olympics
St.
Since
40
Editor
WINSTON-SALEM
Maureen
is
the
most well-
"Moving building lends community to it."
attended event of the year," she noted.
—
The Olympics Leo School April 30. No, these games did not feature athletes
stopped
Hite, principal. "This
into the activities
Standing next to a Macintosh computer, fourth
at St.
who can run the
100-meter dash in less than 10 seconds or gracefully fly through the air while performing on the parallel bars. Instead, they
graders Michael Lee and George Wyatt explain
how they are learning to use the computer as a tool.
"We
this
word processing and data
"We
Emily Clapp added. Jack McAleer, who has three children at St. Leo, said the academic fair is a great family night. "It's wonderful to see all the good things the kids do," he said. "This is kind of their crowning moment
incorporates
all
the
Other subject
"It
helps with multiplication too."
"We get to learn math in a fun
show
way," classmate
areas highlighted at the fair included Religion,
to
Language Computer
Science teacher Marion Adams agreed. "The kids have worked hard on them (their projects) all year and now they get to show them off."
Arts, Physical Education/Health,
Skills, Math, Art, Social Studies, French and Music. "Everybody can be good at something, not -
just science," Fatale added.
—
All 294 students in the school from preschool through eighth grade took part in the
—
academic
fair.
was held
in the
For the first time ever, the event church activities building. It
used to take place
in
the
gymnasium,
said
1994,
Room At The
Inn,
women
and their children. Modeled largely on the pattern of
has a strong spiritual foundation. Family units are being drawn
One of
the most mothers to be accompanied by any of their other children up to the age of four. In this respect, it is unique in the states of North and South Carolina, says executive director Albert Hodges. The policy of Room At The Inn is to encourage women who
together and (people are) learning visible differences
is
life skills."
that the facility permits expectant
come for help to consider life affirming options including adoption.
for seven mothers and their children at any one time.
Next door, sixth grade math students are making for everyone to enjoy. "The
"This is non-competitive as opposed to a science fair," said Linda Fatale, the St. Leo teacher who coordinated the event. "This is It
May
Sara Monti.
day," Lee
chow mein cookies
work.
in
recipe helps us with fractions," explained student
new every
The theme of the fourth annual Academic Fair at St. Leo School, chosen in conjunction with the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, was "Academic Olympics: Champions in Learning."
strictly children's
doors
with schooling or job training to help see them through. It's not enough just to say, 'Don't have an abortion!'" Drawing from the prophet Jeremiah (29: 1 1 ), Hodges stresses the focus of their efforts is to provide women who come to them with "a future full of hope." Presently, they have "room at the inn"
learn something
added.
playing field can also be fun.
disciplines, not just science."
its
"We provide a long-term program," says Hodges, "for up to a year
bases," Wyatt said.
highlighted students excelling in the classroom,
showing how "hands-on" learning on
learn about
opening
Good Counsel Homes in New York and New Jersey, Room At The Inn is a concept that Gordon believes will make a real difference. "It
MIKE KROKOS
By
first
located in south central Charlotte, has already served the needs of
it."
Even though no one received a gold, silver or bronze medal for their efforts, Hite said the projects were first-rate. "The caliber of work gets better every year," she said. "It's amazing what the kids can do."
See
related photos
on page 3
This year, coordinators of the walk-a-thon estimate nearly $3,000 in pledges from St. Eugene Church and St. Lawrence Basilica alone. This represents a significant increase over last year. Hodges anticipates more than $20,000 will be raised throughout the diocese. Betty MacDonald, a walk-a-thon coordinator at St. Eugene Parish, believes that wider publicity would enhance their efforts. "Anyone we've approached has always been enthusiastic and generous. Although the actual number of walkers was small, the response of the parish in sponsorship and pledges has grown." Judging from the heart-winning smile of one-year-old Maria, daughter of Rita Wazilewski of St. Lawrence Basilica, who completed her second walk-a-thon with energy to spare (she was four weeks old the first time), this year' s Two Mile Walk-A-Thon For Life was not just successful, but vital in every way.