Weekend for Life to be held Jan. 20-21

Published: December 4, 2017

High school youth are invited attend the 2018 Weekend for Life (formerly known as Weekend Extravangana) Jan. 20-21 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. This overnight lock-in focuses on right-to-life issues from a youth perspective. It is held the night before the annual Mass and March for Life in Little Rock.

It begins on Saturday night and includes a speaker, praise and worship music, prayer, skits and dance. This year's keynote speaker is Claire Culwell, who will focus on the theme: "Faith Conquers Death." She will share her story of being adopted shortly after birth and learning at the age of 21 that she was the twin who survived an abortion. Her sibling did not. Now a mother herself, her testimony reveals that God has a plan for each and every person.

On Sunday morning, participants go to the Mass for Life at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, followed by lunch and a presentation from Jennifer Briselden, youth minister at Christ the King Church in Fort Smith and campus minister at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She will witness about her life and the consequences of choices. This event concludes with participants joining in the statewide March for Life with rally at the state Capitol, which includes prayers, speakers and music.

The cost is $50 for youth and $60 for adult chaperones. Scholarships are available. Register though your parish by Dec. 19. To register your parish, download and return the registration packet with fee to the address provided. Weekend Extravaganza is sponsored by the diocesan Catholic Youth Ministry Office. For more information, contact Tricia Gentry at (501) 664-0340, ext. 418.