Gospel of Life Conference

Last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to hear two of my favorite Catholic speakers: Bishop Robert Finn and Dr. Janet Smith. The event was diocesan-wide for the second year in a row. As eloquent as ever, Bishop Finn spoke about his passion for protecting the unborn as well as those at the end of life, too. His former years as a journalist are evidenced in his meaningful choice of words whenever he speaks. (I'm sure the full text of his address was all over the Internet by that afternoon.) Everyone rejoiced when he predicted the firing of Fr. Jenkins at Notre Dame over the Obama invitation and honorary degree. Of course, I should have known that he would not mince words. He congratulated us on being part of the 2.5 million red envelopes that flooded the White House after the January anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Finn received several standing ovations--a sure sign that this crowd loves affirmation from a true leader. "Don't worry about your number of supporters," he said. "Think about the remnant God used over and over in the Old Testament. That way, He shows that He is fighting the battle."

Dr. Janet Smith has been long-time friends with my parents, so I spoke to her privately before her talk. She praised Mercedes Wilson and Drs. John and Evelyn Billings for carrying the torch so energetically for so many years, claiming she now feels like one of the "old ones" in pro-life and NFP work. After teaching at U.D. (where Meggar wants to attend college), Smith moved to the major seminary in Detroit. Still teaching, but now helping form future teachers/priests. Dr. Smith announced that she wants to create a new bumper sticker that reads: "Best Chastity Education=Learn to Cook!" She said if more young people knew how to cook, they would have the skills needed to live chaste lives: shopping, cooking, and eating together is an authentic way to build a relationship with honesty and conversation. :-) sounds familiar!