By Dave Andrusko
There are so many blessings and privileges to being able to write daily for a large audience. By that I do not mean just those wonderful people who receive NRL News Today each and every Monday through Saturday, although that would be blessing enough.
In today’s multi-platform media world, you’re often surprised (or at least I am) when something you write makes its way from NRL News Today to the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the parents of the subject of your post back to you and now to you. Whew!
Back on July 26, I wrote about “The Passing of Pro-Life Youth.” The immediate reference was to the death of 20-year-old Andrew Moore, who was killed July 20 during a cross-country pro-life walk. His father had written a passionate tribute to his son and we gratefully included an excerpt.
But I also mentioned the loss of someone known to us here at National Right to Life. I wrote
“When someone young dies, it is particularly hard on everyone. Last year, Jon Scharfenberger, a young man who had interned for National Right to Life, was killed in a tragic auto accident. Not only was Jon taken from us, the accident also claimed the lives of Kortney Blythe Gordon and her unborn baby Sophy. I did not know Kortney, but she and Jon were rising leaders and are sorely missed.
“I thought of Jon and Kortney and Sophy when I read Mr. Moore’s remarkable tribute. I thought of all the wonderful young pro-life people it’s been my pleasure to meet over the years. I thought of my own four adult children, my daughter in law, and my granddaughter.
“I will give them all an extra warm hug tonight.”
Earlier today, I received a thank you via email from Jon’s mother. She wrote
“Your tribute to our young fallen pro-life leaders was touching. I was directed to your article by Cardinal [Timothy] Dolan when he visited our local parish church in Warwick NY, mentioning that he had read your article which mentioned our son Jon.
“I am reaching out and praying for the Moore family, I know exactly the pain they are enduring and will continue to endure until we are reunited with our beloved sons.
“God bless you for your work.
“Yours in Christ Jesus and Our Blessed Mother,
“Anna Scharfenberger.”
I repeat, I am amazed at how information makes its way from my PC to you, to a gazillion other people, and then back again.
But I am even more amazed by the caliber of young people who join this Movement each and every day. That is one of many reasons why I was so pleased to be able to run stories by Megan McCrum and Melissa Ohden on successive days celebrating the state of Virginia’s new pro-life camp, “Camp Joshua.”
We have incredible young people which give us energy and vigor and future leadership. And, if your state does not have a pro-life summer camp, please contact us at stateod@nrlc.org.
Your feedback is very important to improving National Right to Life News Today. Please send your comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha
