By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
For its third annual celebration since the June 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, the Diocese of Trenton’s Respect Life Ministry will add something different this year.
The Standing Together for Life Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at 11 a.m. Jan 24 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, will be followed by LIFE EXPO! – an exhibition in the adjacent parish hall.
Since the Supreme Court Dobbs decision that returned the issue of abortion to individual states, the Diocese has offered Catholics and people of good will this opportunity to gather locally in prayer and solidarity with those travelling to Washington, D.C., on the same day for the National March for Life.
Instead of a speaker seminar, all are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments in the adjacent parish hall, and to view LIFE EXPO.
“We are excited for this LIFE EXPO event which will feature many life-affirming organizations that impact our diocesan communities from womb to tomb and everywhere in between” said Rachel Hendricks, diocesan coordinator for Respect Life Ministry.
The inaugural exhibition will include displays, information and items to take home. Representatives of some 20-plus organizations will be on hand to interact with attendees and discuss the ways in which they support pregnant women in crisis.
Among the exhibitors will be pregnancy shelters such as Good Counsel Homes, Riverside, and St. Michael Help Center, Brant Beach, which provide housing for mothers and their babies both during and after pregnancy.
Representatives will be on hand from pregnancy resource centers like Birthright of Red Bank, Freehold and Toms River; 1st Way Life Center, Burlington; Options for Her of Trenton, Cherry Hill and Ocean City; Choice One, Lawrenceville; The Open Door, Toms River; Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center, Shrewsbury; Diaper Bank, Monmouth County, and Helpers of God’s Precious Children N.J., Burlington and Camden Counties.
New Jersey Catholic Conference and Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton will participate in the Expo, as will other special support services like Springs in the Desert infertility support; Springs of Love adoption and foster support; Project Rachel, which ministers to those seeking healing after abortion; Joan’s Reach, which supports those faced with life-limiting prenatal diagnosis; the Holy Innocents Society, caring for the special needs community of the Diocese, and the diocesan Department of Catholic Cemeteries, which offers a free-of-charge infant burial ministry to those experiencing pregnancy and stillborn loss.
Information will also be available on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ initiative “Walking with Moms in Need”; abortion pill reversal; Catholic women’s healthcare and NaPro doctors; natural family planning; end of life issues and palliative care; human trafficking concerns and much more.
“LIFE EXPO will offer a space for attendees’ personal engagement with the exhibitors,” Hendricks explained, “inspiring them and opening their eyes to new ways to live out our belief in the sanctity of every human person. This day will also offer exhibitors and attendees alike opportunities to network, foster new friendships and strengthen bonds within the community.”
All are welcome, and no RSVP is required. For additional information and updates, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/standing-together-for-life. St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral is located at 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.