Pro-life lock-in for teens to be Jan. 21-22

Published: December 2, 2016

High school youth are invited attend the 2017 Weekend Extravaganza, an overnight lock-in held the night before the annual Mass and March for Life in Little Rock.

It will be offered at the DoubleTree Hotel Jan. 21-22. The Diocese of Little Rock Youth Advisory Council will lead their peers in music, skits and prayer focusing on right-to-life issues through a teen's perspective.

This year's keynote speakers, Chad Judice and Sarah Swafford, will address the theme: "He is the Way to Life." Judice, author of "Waiting for Eli" and "Eli’s Reach," will share his family's journey of raising a special-needs child. Swafford is the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries and will speak about dating and relationships, modesty and a "drama-free life."

On Sunday morning, participants will walk to the Cathedral of St. Andrew to attend the Mass for Life and later conclude the event by attending the March for Life with all other marchers at the state Capitol.

Parishes statewide are encouraged to bring their teens in grades 9-12. The cost to attend is $50 for youth and $60 for adult chaperones. Scholarships are available. To register your parish, download and return the registration packet with fee to the address provided by Dec. 19.

Weekend Extravaganza is sponsored by the diocesan Catholic Youth Ministry Office. For more information about this event, contact Tricia Gentry at (501) 664-0340, ext. 418.