On Sunday, March 11, high school students at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity asked their fellow parishioners to support legislation to reduce gun violence. Inspired by a recent statement from Bishops United Against Gun Violence, the youth set up a table at which church members could personalize and sign letters to members of Congress. The initiative resulted in more than 100 letters that are now on their way to lawmakers.
After 17 people were killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the teens wanted to do something to make an impact.
“It’s a problem that affects the schools we go to…we have multiple bomb or gun threats a year. It’s scary to think it could happen to us,” said Lucy Kitch-Peck, a high school senior and cathedral member. “Since we’re the ones who would be affected, we wanted to do something about it.”
“Across generations, people came,” Kitch-Peck said. “It was cool to see everyone be so unified.”