Pro-life youth help energize 38th annual March for Life in D.C.
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Massive crowds of dedicated pro-life supporters – including throngs of young people and many representatives from the Diocese of Trenton, including Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. – descended upon Washington, D.C., Jan. 24 to participate in the 38th annual March for Life.
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A group of students from St. Aloysius School, Jackson, were among the many youth from around the nation who participated in the March. Chaperones shepherded almost two dozen pro-life members of the school’s Social Justice Group, spirits high despite the low temperatures, into the ever-growing stream of humanity. Each student wore bright red hats to keep from getting lost in the massive crowd and waved white Diocese of Trenton pennants bearing the 2011 Loving Life logo.
Group moderator Toni McEwan’s goal for the day was clear. “I want them to understand the importance of being here as a witness for Christ,” McEwan said as she and husband Russ corralled the enthusiastic teens.
Fellow moderator Kate Honan agreed. “As future American adults, they need to stand up and be counted,” the school’s religion teacher stated.
A trio of 14-year-old eighth graders from St. Aloysius shared their fervor for life. Joshua Lindow stated firmly, “Abortion is not right. Where there is life, there’s hope,” to which Stephen Lazicki agreed, “It’s a great thing to be here. I’m against abortion and I want to show it.” Their classmate Chris DeBiase said matter-of-factly, “I got a chance [to live]. Everybody should get a chance.”
Just across the sidewalk stood a 90-person contingent from Red Bank Catholic High School. Led by Father Alberto Tamayo, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and a member of the Respect Life Steering Committee, the green-and-gold clad “Caseys” attended the March for Life as the culmination of a two-day series of events held at the high school.
On Jan. 24, activities began with a student “lock-in” at which numerous speakers proclaimed their pro-life views, followed by midnight Mass. Sleepy students napped on the bus ride to Washington early Monday morning, then toured the Capitol Building before queuing for the March began. Once they climbed Capitol Hill, the students planned to visit the Rayburn Building to speak with Representatives Chris Smith and Scott Garrett (both R-NJ).
The Red Bank students bubbled over with excitement despite their grueling schedule. Sophomore Vanna Costa declared that she attended to “fight for pro-life and to save babies,” while freshman Haig Bakhtiarian added, “and to fight for what’s right.”
A pair of 10th graders recalled highlights from the previous evening’s speakers.
“A girl told us about how she didn’t cave into pressure and get an abortion, but her parents threw her out of the house,” Emma Giordano stated, shaking her head. Shannon Norkus continued, “We had midnight Mass to pray for the people going through abortions.”
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Massive crowds of dedicated pro-life supporters – including throngs of young people and many representatives from the Diocese of Trenton, including Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. – descended upon Washington, D.C., Jan. 24 to participate in the 38th annual March for Life.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY
A group of students from St. Aloysius School, Jackson, were among the many youth from around the nation who participated in the March. Chaperones shepherded almost two dozen pro-life members of the school’s Social Justice Group, spirits high despite the low temperatures, into the ever-growing stream of humanity. Each student wore bright red hats to keep from getting lost in the massive crowd and waved white Diocese of Trenton pennants bearing the 2011 Loving Life logo.
Group moderator Toni McEwan’s goal for the day was clear. “I want them to understand the importance of being here as a witness for Christ,” McEwan said as she and husband Russ corralled the enthusiastic teens.
Fellow moderator Kate Honan agreed. “As future American adults, they need to stand up and be counted,” the school’s religion teacher stated.
A trio of 14-year-old eighth graders from St. Aloysius shared their fervor for life. Joshua Lindow stated firmly, “Abortion is not right. Where there is life, there’s hope,” to which Stephen Lazicki agreed, “It’s a great thing to be here. I’m against abortion and I want to show it.” Their classmate Chris DeBiase said matter-of-factly, “I got a chance [to live]. Everybody should get a chance.”
Just across the sidewalk stood a 90-person contingent from Red Bank Catholic High School. Led by Father Alberto Tamayo, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and a member of the Respect Life Steering Committee, the green-and-gold clad “Caseys” attended the March for Life as the culmination of a two-day series of events held at the high school.
On Jan. 24, activities began with a student “lock-in” at which numerous speakers proclaimed their pro-life views, followed by midnight Mass. Sleepy students napped on the bus ride to Washington early Monday morning, then toured the Capitol Building before queuing for the March began. Once they climbed Capitol Hill, the students planned to visit the Rayburn Building to speak with Representatives Chris Smith and Scott Garrett (both R-NJ).
The Red Bank students bubbled over with excitement despite their grueling schedule. Sophomore Vanna Costa declared that she attended to “fight for pro-life and to save babies,” while freshman Haig Bakhtiarian added, “and to fight for what’s right.”
A pair of 10th graders recalled highlights from the previous evening’s speakers.
“A girl told us about how she didn’t cave into pressure and get an abortion, but her parents threw her out of the house,” Emma Giordano stated, shaking her head. Shannon Norkus continued, “We had midnight Mass to pray for the people going through abortions.”
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