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college student to raise awareness and money for pro-life

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Generations of sharing and passing on the faith continue in the Schaefer household in Freeburg.

“Whenever their children are home,” Father Mark Reyling, pastor of St. Joseph’s in Freeburg said, “you know it because they come to Mass.”

Mike Schaefer took the weekend off from his studies Feb. 20-21 at the University of Illinois in Champaign to come home for a visit.

He wanted parishioners at St. Joseph’s to know he would be “biking for babies” for the second year.
Last year, he and a college friend, Jimmy Becker biked 600 miles each to raise money for pro-life causes. They raised $14,000.

This year, the duo will form Team Illinois and Team Wisconsin (Becker transferred to University of Wisconsin) to ride 600 miles each, hoping to raise $25,000 and split it between Champaign Pregnancy Resource Center and Students for Life of Illinois.

The pregnancy care center “is devoted to helping mothers,” Mike Schaefer said. The Illinois pro-life organization concentrates on raising awareness of pro-life issues on college campuses, he said.

Why ride a bike 600 miles? Mike Schaefer grew up running, and Becker has a background as a triathlete.
In the summer of 2008 Schaefer went on a 100-mile ride and decided “it would be fun to do a big bike ride,” he said.
Added to his love of riding was his commitment to his faith.

“I feel called to defend the dignity of life, and I thought it would be good to defend the pro-life cause,” Mike Schaefer said.

What did his parents think of his 600-mile ride? “I thought it was a pretty big undertaking,” Jean Schaefer said.
Like all parents, Jean and Rich Schaefer have set an example of living their faith for their children.

“Whenever we need an extra pair of hands in the parish we can count on Rich Schaefer being there,” Father Reyling said.

Now, the Schaefers support their son in his quest to bring pro-life issues to people’s attention.
“You’re always concerned about your child,” Rich Schaefer said, noting that Mike would be checking in with the family along his route.

Mike Schaefer will begin this year’s ride with Team Illinois March 24 in Cairo after spending the night at Daystar.
He and the team expect to ride from Cairo to Freeburg where Father Reyling is expected to give them a blessing before they head north.

They have to ride on secondary roads, and everyone hopes the weather will cooperate, Mike Schaefer said.

The worst part of the ride, Mike Schaefer said is the cold. “It hurts the worst with your feet. They freeze pretty quick.”


To meet the teams or more information please go to www.bikingforbabies.com.