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July 13, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — The California assisted suicide law that allows doctors to prescribe lethal medications for terminally ill patients went into effect on June 9.
As Catholics in California and elsewhere are confronted with the “pro-death” rhetoric that physician-assisted suicide is “compassionate” and promotes “death with dignity,” we are called now more than ever to articulate why “killing is not caring,” as Archbishop Jose Gomez said recently, and how “true compassion means walking with those who are suffering, sharing their pain, helping them bear their burdens.”
In response to Archbishop Gomez’s call for Catholics to “proclaim and demonstrate by our actions — that all human life is precious and sacred and is worth of our care and protection, from conception to natural death,” Vox Vitae, a southern California Catholic non-profit organization committed to “Educating, Empowering, and Spiritually Nurturing People to Actively Be A Voice For Life,” announced the launch of its inaugural ProLife Youth Summer Camp in August.
While other pro-life youth camps in southern California have been successful, none offer parents and youth a uniquely Catholic education and experience. In fact, because of the recent positive feedback from parents, the Vox Vitae Summer Camp will not only host a day youth camp but an adult evening camp.
By educating youth, parents, and adults in our parishes to defend life from conception to natural death, we aim to inspire all attendees to defend the right to life of future generations and to reject societal pressures by embracing a lifestyle that reflects the “Culture of Life.”
At this historic ProLife Youth Summer Camp and Adult Evening Camp, both the youth and adults will be inspired and empowered to be a voice of life for all through presentations by dynamic speakers, in depth group discussions, and individual reflection on the faith.
The Youth Day camp will educate junior high and high school age students (ages 13-18) about the Catholic Church’s teachings on life with the help of many inspiring and talented speakers and through group dialogue and daily prayer.
In teams led by Catholic educators and youth ministry leaders who have undergone pro-life apologetics training, the campers will explore many important topics, including abortion, citizenship, chastity, contraception, and our unique Catholic faith.
In the evening, parents and adult parishioners are welcome to learn about the same topics discussed by many of the same speakers. The evening program is designed to educate parents and to help them discuss these critically important (and often uncomfortable) topics with their teens.
Vox Vitae’s Youth and Adult Summer Camp will feature Catholic leaders, speakers, and educators from across the United States. Each speaker will discuss a topic of individual expertise and engage with the campers directly. The inaugural camp will feature Bishop David O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of San Gabriel Valley region; Tim Staples of Catholic Answers; Fr. Stephen Imbarrato of Priests for Life; Astrid Bennett Gutierrez of EWTN and The Vida Initiative; Doug Barry of EWTN and Battle Ready; Susan Yoshihara of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (CFAM); Kellie Fiedorek of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF); Sylvia Aimerito of Audio Girl Ministries; Ramona Trevino, a former manager of Planned Parenthood; Jesse Romero of Immaculate Heart Radio; Pam Stenzel; Timmerie Millington, and more.
In addition to the Youth Summer Camp, Vox Vitae has launched a missionary program for young people dedicated to living out their Catholic faith by actively being a voice for life. The Vox Vitae Missionaries will work with teens, adults, and families in the Los Angeles Archdiocese throughout the year, fostering and further cultivating the ideas learned at summer camp. Through presentations, advanced trainings and outreach events, the Missionaries will serve as a resource for all those seeking to use their individual talents to be an effective and compelling voice for life.
Because the purpose of the camp is to foster faith in action not only for the duration of the camp but for life, Vox Vitae along with its Missionaries will host Vox Vitae Day events where camp alumni can reconnect, have fun, and continue their pro-life education.
Teens from ages 13 to 18 and all adults are invited to register for Vox Vitae’s five-day summer camp in Alhambra, Calif., at www.VoxVitae.org.
In addition to receiving spiritual nourishment, campers will be provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with snacks throughout the day. Transportation from camp to all outside activities is also included. Scholarships and multi-child discounts are available too.
Adults may also register online for the evening talks, and for a nominal fee dinner will be provided.
For more information about camp content and registration or to support Vox Vitae, Be A Voice For Life with a generous donation, please visit www.VoxVitae.org or email [email protected]. Donations may also be submitted by mail to Vox Vitae, Be A Voice For Life, 1613 Chelsea Road, #104, San Marino, CA 91108.