Check out our new radio spot that will run across Louisiana reminding the people of our state to be the voice of the unborn baby through their vote. Share with others! 

Life Chains will be formed in communities across the U.S. Sunday, Oct. 5. This is the event's 27th year.

Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing and praying for the nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visible statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the nation's churches support the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death.

Life Chains will be in the following locations in Louisiana:

Cody Reed talks with Joshua Leadership Institute students at the event's closing ceremony.

My Duty, Your Duty:

Teach the Youth that Life is Valuable

Bring LA Right to Life to Speak To Your Students!

By Cody Reed 

For the past two years it was my honor to act as the Youth Programs Director for Louisiana Right to Life and to address a question youth particularly wrestle with: Am I valuable?

JLI students watch as a live ultrasound is performed on an "anonymous" volunteer.

Legalized abortion

answers this question with a resounding no. It tells our youth, "We are not valuable. We are not equal."

I have taken a new position as a theology teacher at Archbishop Hannan High School, and I believe it is the calling and duty of us all, regardless of our professions, to remind every person of his or her unchanging and inestimable worth. This is key to softening the hearts of those with whom we disagree and to saving lives from abortion and euthanasia and also from things such as bullying, suicide, self-harm, and human trafficking.

I don't believe any excuse is sufficient for remaining silent in the face of these realities. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

What could possibly matter more than the value of the human person? Many of our young people recognize this, but many more have been wounded by the lies that permeate our culture, and they have resorted to apathy.

That is why education on the life issues is so important, and why I feel so blessed to have played a part in many Louisiana Right to Life programs such as the Joshua Leadership Institute (JLI) and others. Since the culture of death thrives on ignorance and silence, we must train students in pro-life apologetics. If we provide students the opportunities to engage "pro-choice" individuals in conversation, they will respectfully give their peers the opportunity to reevaluate their beliefs and to awaken from apathy.

During JLI we take students to LSU for this sort of hands-on experience. I've watched our students engage angry pro-choice/pro-Planned Parenthood protestors in dialogue. I've seen shouting replaced with fruitful communication and hearts transformed. It is a privilege to witness as hearts and lives are transformed, and the blessings of being a part of this movement are truly incalculable.

At JLI, students also have the opportunity to witness a live ultrasound, performed on an anonymous volunteer. This year New Orleans ACCESS Pregnancy Center went above and beyond by going to Baton Rouge to facilitate a special experience. The ultrasound was remarkably clear. It revealed a 12-week-old child in constant motion, with facial and bodily features easily recognizable.

As everyone soaked this in, it was announced the anonymous mother had decided to meet everyone. She emerged to cheers and applause because she turned out to be the New Orleans Projects Director for Louisiana Right to Life. That woman is my wife, Mary.

The pro-life message could not be more real to us than it is right now.  We are so grateful for the opportunity we were given to introduce our child to those present that day. They witnessed that our baby is fully human and fully alive, even if our nation's justice system refuses to acknowledge that reality for another six months.

We are all called to stand up for life, whatever our gifts and whatever our professions. That is why I will continue, as a high school teacher and friend, to help LARTL and others defend human dignity, value, and equality. I ask you to actively join me in speaking the truth about human dignity and value in our communities. No excuses. There is far too much at stake. Please stand up for life today!  

Cody Reed can be reached at [email protected]. For information about future Joshua programs email Louisiana Right to Life at [email protected].

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Let us Speak at Your School or Church!

Louisiana Right to Life offers educational presentations and training programs to all schools, churches, and other organizations in the state at no charge. The educational programs can easily be brought in as an additional resource to your current programs.

Our team recently spoke to the students at Vermilion Catholic High School. These students are holding our fetal models after the presentation.

The group's flagship presentation to high school students is titled "Pro-Life 101: Busting the Myths about Abortion." This presentation provides details on the fetal development, why human life should be protected and is valuable, abortion methods, statistics on abortion, reasons for abortion, pro-life resources for women and more.   

While "Pro-Life 101" is the team's most readily available presentation and what is recommended for starters, presentations can also be made available on the following topics:

• "How to Be a Persuasive Pro-Lifer" (focuses on pro-life apologetics)* Stem Cell Research
• Medical Ethics / "End of Life" Issues
• The Truth about Planned Parenthood
• Historical and Legal Situation Surrounding Abortion
• Pro-Life Activism - How to Impact Your Campus

Training is already active in schools and churches across the Acadiana region thanks to the Zerben Bienvenu and William Smith Fund for Acadiana Pro-Life Education, and the program is expanding to other parts of the state as well.

If you are interested in bringing the program to your school, church or group, contact Kandace Landreneau at [email protected] or call the LARTL office at 1-866-463-5433, and we will connect you to the right person.