2008 Annual Archdiocesan Respect Life Essay Contest

“As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the infant in her womb leaped for joy

and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

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“Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice but John is the first to be aware of grace.

She hears with the ears of the body but he leaps for joy at the meaning of the mystery.

She is aware of Mary’s presence but he is aware of the Lord’s.

The children are active in secret, unfolding the mystery of love with the help of their mothers.” (St. Ambrose)

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This year’s Respect Life Essay Contest will focus on Life in the Womb.

Grades 1-2

Mary and Elizabeth were both very happy when they learned they were going to have a baby. They were eager to welcome their new babies, Jesus and John the Baptist, into the world. What are some ways you can welcome babies into the world?

Grades 3-4

While babies are still in their mothers’ wombs growing, they know what is going on around them. They come to know their mother’s voice and how she smells. They can hear music, they can feel motion and they respond to patting. What their mother eats and drinks and does while she is pregnant can affect the health of the baby. What suggestions would you make to a mother-to-be about what she should or should not do while she is pregnant to make sure she has a healthy and happy baby?

Grades 5-6

It is now possible to actually see babies in their mothers’ wombs with an ultrasound machine. It is very exciting for mothers and fathers to see these ultrasound pictures. They make the baby more real to them and show the baby’s development. Imagine what it would be like to see a baby developing and to watch the baby moving around in his or her mother’s womb! What would you look for in an ultrasound picture? What kind of activities are babies busy with before their actual “birth day” arrives?

Grades 7-8

Doctors who specialize in the development of unborn babies now know that babies feel pain while they are in the womb as early as 20 weeks into pregnancy. Many states are passing laws to inform a woman considering abortion about the pain abortion causes her unborn baby. These laws prevent terrible pain to the babies by making sure they are provided with anesthetic during the abortion. The laws often encourage mothers to decide against abortion by telling them about the pain their unborn baby will experience. Why should a woman be told about the pain her baby will feel during an abortion? What are some arguments in favor of providing anesthetic to the baby if an abortion is performed? Are there any reasons not to provide the baby with a painkiller?

Grades 9-10

Polls show that every year more and more young people are becoming pro-life. There have been over 48,000,000 deaths in the U.S. from abortion since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in 1973---35 years ago. Young people recognize that nearly one-third of their own generation have been victims of abortion and are missing from their families and their classrooms. They see the inherent injustice in this. Talk about why abortion is the most fundamental social justice issue. What are the reasons why young people are choosing life and rejecting abortion today, more than in previous generations?

Grades 11-12

Scientists have been making strides in finding ethical ways to do stem cell research. They have found rich sources of embryonic stem cells in amniotic fluid, the placenta and umbilical cord blood. These are the readily available "by products" of every birth. Since embryonic life is not sacrificed in obtaining these stem cells, the Catholic Church approves and welcomes this research. Do some internet research and find out how these ethically sound sources of stem cells are being banked and saving lives. Write an essay describing some of your most interesting findings.