Faithful will show respect for life in Washington, Trenton
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
This Jan. 22, thousands of faithful from throughout the Diocese will join in peaceful solidarity and show their support for human life in all its stages. Whether it will be to walk through the streets of Washington to Capitol Hill, or stand on the steps of the N.J. State House in Trenton, men, women and children of all ages will join together to protest the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize abortion.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has invited the Diocese’s faithful to travel to the nation’s capital and participate in the 42nd annual March for Life Jan. 22. More than 600,000 people of many faiths and from around the world are expected to peacefully and prayerfully protest against abortion during the March, which commences with a rally on the National Mall, then winds its way through the streets of Washington along Constitution Avenue up to Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court and Congress.
Donna Goodwin, coordinator of Respect Life Ministry in the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, observed, “The March for Life serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for the dignity of human life and working together to end abortion. Each year, on or around the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, a diverse group of hundreds of thousands of pro-life pilgrims gather in Washington in a peaceful, joyful demonstration that focuses on abortion, but extends support for all human life.”
Events closer to the Diocese include a Mass for Life to be celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Rally for Life held on the State House steps on West State Street, Trenton, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The annual rally is scheduled to feature a number of speakers including pro-life legislators, leaders of pro-life groups and clergy.
Masses and prayer services are also slated in parishes around the Diocese in the counties of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean.
In anticipation of the Jan. 22 anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, the U.S. Catholic Bishops are sponsoring “Nine Days for Life: Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage,” for Jan. 17-25. The initiative is part of the 2014-2015 Respect Life Program with the theme “Each of Us is a Masterpiece of God’s Creation.” Each day of the program raises awareness on issues such as domestic violence, post-abortion healing, pornography addiction and end-of-life matters.
“Pope Francis reminds us constantly of the loving concern Christians have for all people at any stage of life who’ve been cast aside or forgotten by society,” said Cardinal Seán O’Malley, archbishop of Boston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “The 9 Days for Life novena offers a chance to join in prayer and solidarity with the unborn, victims of violence, those suffering from addiction, and those whose hearts ache to be part of a family.”
There are four ways for both English and Spanish speakers to participate in the program: subscriptions to daily content through email or text messages; the “9Days for Life” app, and downloadable print materials. Content will also be shared via an event on Facebook (facebook.com/peopleoflife) and other social media with the hashtags #9daysforlife and #9díasporlavida. More information, including programming and prayers for parish or ministry leaders, is available at 9daysforlife.com and usccb.org/respectlife.
Other events planned in Washington include the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life to be held Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, with Cardinal O’Malley as principal celebrant and homilist. The closing Mass for the Solemn Prayer Vigil for Life is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 7:30 a.m., also in the basilica’s Great Upper Church, with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., serving as principal celebrant and homilist. The Archdiocese of Washington is sponsoring its annual Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the Verizon Center and the D.C. Armory, both in Washington, on Jan. 22 before the March for Life.
Goodwin stressed the importance of social media and requested pilgrims of the Diocese keep digitally connected as they show their respect for life during the events. “Whether you travel to Washington or Trenton, spread the word … through social media, because even with estimated crowds of up to 650,000 participants in Washington, and rallies at state capitals throughout the country, the March for Life receives little media attention,” she stated. “We can raise awareness by making this event go viral.”
For a complete listing of the parishes and Knights of Columbus councils sponsoring buses to the Jan. 22 March for Life in Washington, see the ad in this issue on page 44, visit trentonmonitor.com or contact Donna Goodwin, coordinator of the diocesan respect life ministry at 609-403-7192.
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This Jan. 22, thousands of faithful from throughout the Diocese will join in peaceful solidarity and show their support for human life in all its stages. Whether it will be to walk through the streets of Washington to Capitol Hill, or stand on the steps of the N.J. State House in Trenton, men, women and children of all ages will join together to protest the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize abortion.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has invited the Diocese’s faithful to travel to the nation’s capital and participate in the 42nd annual March for Life Jan. 22. More than 600,000 people of many faiths and from around the world are expected to peacefully and prayerfully protest against abortion during the March, which commences with a rally on the National Mall, then winds its way through the streets of Washington along Constitution Avenue up to Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court and Congress.
Donna Goodwin, coordinator of Respect Life Ministry in the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, observed, “The March for Life serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for the dignity of human life and working together to end abortion. Each year, on or around the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, a diverse group of hundreds of thousands of pro-life pilgrims gather in Washington in a peaceful, joyful demonstration that focuses on abortion, but extends support for all human life.”
Events closer to the Diocese include a Mass for Life to be celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Rally for Life held on the State House steps on West State Street, Trenton, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The annual rally is scheduled to feature a number of speakers including pro-life legislators, leaders of pro-life groups and clergy.
Masses and prayer services are also slated in parishes around the Diocese in the counties of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean.
In anticipation of the Jan. 22 anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, the U.S. Catholic Bishops are sponsoring “Nine Days for Life: Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage,” for Jan. 17-25. The initiative is part of the 2014-2015 Respect Life Program with the theme “Each of Us is a Masterpiece of God’s Creation.” Each day of the program raises awareness on issues such as domestic violence, post-abortion healing, pornography addiction and end-of-life matters.
“Pope Francis reminds us constantly of the loving concern Christians have for all people at any stage of life who’ve been cast aside or forgotten by society,” said Cardinal Seán O’Malley, archbishop of Boston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “The 9 Days for Life novena offers a chance to join in prayer and solidarity with the unborn, victims of violence, those suffering from addiction, and those whose hearts ache to be part of a family.”
There are four ways for both English and Spanish speakers to participate in the program: subscriptions to daily content through email or text messages; the “9Days for Life” app, and downloadable print materials. Content will also be shared via an event on Facebook (facebook.com/peopleoflife) and other social media with the hashtags #9daysforlife and #9díasporlavida. More information, including programming and prayers for parish or ministry leaders, is available at 9daysforlife.com and usccb.org/respectlife.
Other events planned in Washington include the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life to be held Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, with Cardinal O’Malley as principal celebrant and homilist. The closing Mass for the Solemn Prayer Vigil for Life is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 7:30 a.m., also in the basilica’s Great Upper Church, with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., serving as principal celebrant and homilist. The Archdiocese of Washington is sponsoring its annual Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the Verizon Center and the D.C. Armory, both in Washington, on Jan. 22 before the March for Life.
Goodwin stressed the importance of social media and requested pilgrims of the Diocese keep digitally connected as they show their respect for life during the events. “Whether you travel to Washington or Trenton, spread the word … through social media, because even with estimated crowds of up to 650,000 participants in Washington, and rallies at state capitals throughout the country, the March for Life receives little media attention,” she stated. “We can raise awareness by making this event go viral.”
For a complete listing of the parishes and Knights of Columbus councils sponsoring buses to the Jan. 22 March for Life in Washington, see the ad in this issue on page 44, visit trentonmonitor.com or contact Donna Goodwin, coordinator of the diocesan respect life ministry at 609-403-7192.
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