Peer mentors celebrate 13th year for abstinence education program

Oldenburg Academy junior Steven Hammoor of West Harrison, a member of Holy Guardian Angels Parish in Cedar Grove, talks about the importance of abstinence education during the 13th annual A Promise to Keep: God’s Gift of Human Sexuality luncheon on April 27 at the Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis.

By Mary Ann Wyand

Lessons for a Christian life.

That’s the goal of A Promise to Keep: God’s Gift of Human Sexuality, the archdiocese’s 13-year-old volunteer peer mentor chastity program.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein thanked several hundred high school students from central and southern Indiana for their help with abstinence education at Catholic grade schools and parish religious education programs during an April 27 luncheon at the Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis.

The archbishop told the teenage peer mentors how important it is to live out the values and virtues of Church teachings and model them to others.

Oldenburg Academy junior Steven Hammoor of West Harrison, a member of Holy Guardian Angels Parish in Cedar Grove, took a historical look at sin in his luncheon speech.

“From the beginning of time, we have been shaped by sin,” Steven said, “and perhaps that’s the reason that we are all here today, the reason we are sharing this meal together [and] the reason that we make up this piece of the Body of Christ. We are fighting the spread of a disease as ancient as humankind.

“In our fight, we are a part of A Promise to Keep,” he said. “We are promoting good values by turning away from sin and encouraging others to find the peace within them that comes from being a part of the Body of Christ.”

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School junior Anna Frick, a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis, told the teenagers she takes to heart St. John Bosco’s words that, “Purity is a precious jewel, and the owner of a precious stone would never dream of making a display of his riches in the presence of thieves.”

The saint’s words remind her of “why abstinence is so sacred and essential to me as a human being,” Anna said. “The looks on the children’s faces are enough for me to want to be a mentor, [and] also the fact that teaching them makes them and me closer to God.”

After his opening prayer, Father Jonathan Meyer, director of youth ministry for the archdiocese and associate pastor of St. Luke the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, emphasized how important it is for Catholics to live out the Gospel messages as youths and adults.

Marquisha Bridgeman, faith-based coordinator for Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, presented a proclamation honoring the A Promise to Keep program for exceptional community service to Margaret Hendricks, who coordinates the chastity program for the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education.

Bridgeman, who attended St. Andrew the Apostle School and graduated from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, also thanked the teenagers for making the decision to abstain from sex until marriage and their willingness to share that important message with grade school students.

“What they’ve decided to do by serving as mentors and in their individual decisions is so important,” she said after the luncheon, “and it has such an impact not only on their lives, but also on the lives of others who hear that [abstinence] message.” †