Hundreds of respect life advocates from around the Diocese and beyond came out in force for an event that addressed all life issues from the womb to the tomb and everywhere in between.
Held Jan. 23 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, the fourth Standing Together for Life Mass & Expo began with Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., serving as principal celebrant and homilist.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 Standing Together for Life Mass
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 Standing Together for Life Mass & Expo
The Expo that followed in the parish hall featured an array of representatives from local organizations that work toward upholding and promoting human dignity throughout all stages of life. Organizations ranged from shelters that care for pregnant women; pregnancy resource centers; infertility support services; support for adoption, foster care and persons with disabilities, and prison ministry. There were some organizations participating for the first time such as the diocesan chapter of Catholic Relief Services.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell noted that the diocesan event was held in conjunction with the 53rd annual March for Life Rally in Washington, where a contingent of prolife faithful from the Diocese were among the tens of thousands to participate in the event that began in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which once legalized abortion nationwide.
Check back with TrentonMonitor.com for full coverage of the Diocese’s Mass for Life & Expo including highlights of a moving homily from Bishop O’Connell and interviews with some of the attendees.