Both students were happy to return to Barry’s Bay and the Academy, even for a brief respite. A special Mass was offered at St. Hedwig Church for the Crossroads team, and our students were able to show the Academy to the other walkers (who have now been hearing about the Academy for many weeks!). 

 

Baker, Hayden, and the rest of the Crossroads team have walked both night and day, in all kinds of weather. They have walked through the mountains, across the desert, through the flooded prairies and dry western Ontario. The Crossroads team has spoken at churches and prayed outside abortion clinics, wearing white t-shirts with “Pro Life” written prominently across the front.  While the visual witness is important, however, it is not the only aspect of their walk.   According to student Jonathan Baker, it is the sacrificial aspect of the summer that is perhaps the most important. 

 

Two of the OLSWA staff members joined the walk for an afternoon, covering 15 kilometers, part of which took place in Algonquin Park. It quickly became clear that the drivers who pass by respond in different ways. Most don’t respond at all, while other responses range from enthusiastic beeps to angry horn blasts.

 

Jonathan Baker offered the following comment: “Our mission is not so much to be ‘anti’ anything, as to be ‘pro-life.’” Baker shared that they want to express that all life is beautiful and sacred, from the life of the pre-born infant to the life of the abortion doctor.

 

From Barry’s Bay, the walkers continued on to Ottawa, and will eventually reach Quebec City. They will end with a rally on Parliament Hill on August 14. OLSWA looks forward to seeing Jonathan and Michael when they return to school in September, and is proud of her students who have boldly “taken to the streets” to proclaim the Gospel of Life.

 

For more information visit www.crossroadswalk.org.