VOICE OF LIFE GROUP TO MEET IN SC

SCOTT CITY -- If just one person stops to consider the sanctity of life and works to preserve it, then Voice for Life members have done their duty, said the group's president."People need to look at the issues before it gets out of control," said Rosana San Paola, president of Voice for Life. People today are often too busy with other activities and "don't want to stop and face the hard issues."Those issues, like social justice, respect for life and death penalty, will be discussed at the group's second annual convention Nov. 6 at Scott City. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Voice for Life is a lay Catholic organization designed to promote the sanctity of life. The group began in 1988 in Springfield with only two members and has grown to 16 board members and 55 parish representatives throughout the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese.

Bishop John J. Leibrecht will speak about the catechism's teachings on social justice. It is similar to an address he gave during the first meeting, San Paola said. "He really helped people understand the issues," she said.

Euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, capital punishment and abortion are all related to the sanctity of human life. People have questions about those issues, she said. Other speakers include Connie Drury, a nurse who will speak about the healing ministry in the church; Doug Kniebert of the Vitae Society; Anne Carmichael of the Missouri Catholic Conference and the Rev. J. Freidel and Sister Cynthia Hruby of Catholic Campus Ministries who will speak about their reflections on the death penalty. Students from the Newman Center have held candlelight vigils and prayer services at the Potosi Correctional Center before recent executions. Voice for Life is still small, but San Paola said she is hopeful that many people will attend the meeting. "If we have 20 I wouldn't mind," she said. "It's important that people come away with a dedication."People with a heart and who see the future know we will have to do something," she said.

The meeting also includes a service for youth, with speaker Penny Lea. The event concludes with a Mass at 4 p.m., celebrated by the bishop.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth and include registration and a meal.