Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, August 02, 2002 Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies Director sees hope in ‘great numbers of young people’ calling themselves pro-life By Susan K. Virgalitte Marie C. Milburn, diocesan director of the Office of Pro-Life Activities, is resigning her position this week. Ms. Milburn, who joined the diocesan staff in November 2000, is planning to pursue her master’s degree in Theology at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, Washington, D.C. The Institute is located at the Catholic University of America, but is a separate institution. A 1999 magna cum laude graduate of Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ms. Milburn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health and Human Services. After college, she taught fifth grade for one year in San Marcos, Calif. She had resigned from her teaching position to seek full-time pro-life work when she heard of the opening in the Diocese of Youngstown through a friend. In addition to her educational background, Ms. Milburn received training as a post-abortion counselor and a sidewalk counselor, and she served an internship at The Nurturing Network, a program for women in crisis pregnancy situations. She was a leader of her university’s Human Life Concerns organization. During her time as diocesan pro-life director, Ms. Milburn has spent much of her time speaking and educating both Catholics and the general public about pro-life issues. “I have really enjoyed being a facilitator and instructor for the Christian Formation Series and Lay Ministry Formation program,” she said. “It has always been enjoyable to speak to parish groups and school classes. Generally, people are excited to better understand the Church’s teaching on pro-life issues.” She said she especially enjoyed working with parish pro-life representatives. About half the parishes in the diocese now have representatives who coordinate pro-life activities and education. “I think there are definite signs of hope in the pro-life movement. One [sign] is the great numbers of young people who identify themselves as pro-life and are willing to take a stand on these issues,” Ms. Milburn said. “Each one of us bears a personal responsibility, and we can’t pass that off. The victory of a culture of life depends upon the active commitment of every person. This doesn’t mean that we all have to be activists, although some of us will certainly be called to do so. But we must each be consistent in our commitment to life through each of the choices we make in all our relationships with others and in our participation as citizens.” “If I were going to offer any advice or recommendation, it would be for people to learn as much as they can about the Church’s teaching on different life issues,” Ms. Milburn continued. “The Church’s teachings are so beautiful, so profound, and so convicting. As Catholics, we need to be empowered by them.” Bishop Thomas J. Tobin praised Ms. Milburn’s work in the diocese, saying, “I am very grateful for Marie’s presence and work in the Youngstown Diocese. Even in a short time, she has made a valuable contribution to the pro-life ministry of the Church. I hope and pray that the Church will have the benefit of her experience and personal commitment again in the future.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001