UPDATE: Despite weather, support and prayers for life go on in Washington, at home
January 23, 2024 at 9:16 a.m.
Kathryn Perez of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, and pilgrims from several northern coastal Monmouth County parishes caught up with Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) during the March for Life. The congressman hails from the Trenton Diocese and is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Perez There were at least three known buses from the Diocese that made the Jan. 19 trip, transporting pilgrims to the nation’s capital and then returning home safely. They were from northern coastal Monmouth County, southern Ocean County and Mercer County.
‘The March goes on’
Kathryn Perez, a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, has attended the March for Life for “dozens of years.” She remained firm when she said it was just as important to attend this year’s march and be with other supporters for life from throughout the nation — snow or no snow.
Perez was captain of the bus carrying members from her parish as well as St. Michael, West End; Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands; St. Luke Parish, Toms River; and students from the Catholic Campus Ministry in Monmouth University, West Long Branch. She said she was particularly heartened by the spirit the marchers exhibited throughout the day.
“They were on fire,” she said.
“The youth were excited, energetic and joyous! The mood was contagious. Being surrounded by a sea of young people is so uplifting,” Perez said. “There is hope for the future, even in this world where media and pop culture call good evil, and evil good.”
Young Person's Perspective
For Giovanni DeNatale, a junior in Monmouth University and student president of the Catholic Campus Ministry, attending the March for Life for the first time was a blessing.
“I had never been to a rally of this kind before, and I can confidently say that it was one of the best days of my life ever,” said DeNatale. “This was one of those instances where you could feel the energy reverberating throughout the grounds and it felt as if, for that day, our nation’s capital had not only been taken over, but reclaimed by those who fight to institute a culture that values and safeguards life for all.
“The energy behind this cause is the kind that someone would be willing to fight for their entire life and sacrifice himself or herself in order to be successful. I like to think that at the March I had finally begun to make good on my vow to never stop fighting for an end to abortion in America (and across the world) and to work towards the victory of the pro-life movement,” he said.
DeNatale described the spirit among the people as being “so infectious that I hope that one day this may be the spirit of our nation,” he said, adding “but that will only come once abortion is eradicated and our country returns to Christ as its cornerstone. This is a goal that I am willing to dedicate my life to and that I pray God grants me the Grace to make good on it.”
DeNatale admitted he was surprised to see the significant amount of high school and college-age attendees at the March and noted that the thought the greatest number were between the ages of 15 and 25.
Next year, DeNatale said he hopes to encourage more of his peers in the Catholic Campus Ministry to attend the March for Life.
“The March for Life was one of the best days and greatest events I have ever experienced,” he said. “It is an ambitious, yet attainable goal and one that I am confident we can achieve.
“I hope we expose more people to the importance of defending the right to life and that this fight takes all of us.”
Mission Minded
Father Walter Quiceno, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, traveled with his parishioners from southern Ocean County, along with three parishioners from St. Pius X Parish, Forked River.
“We feel this march is a personal mission and call we have received from God,” Father Quiceno said.
Noting that he sees the pilgrimage as a time “where we go to Washington calling people back to God and to conversion,” Father Quiceno said it’s impressive to see “all these thousands ... of people march while we pray the Holy Rosary over and over again asking for forgiveness, for repentance, for conversion and for God’s love in those who lack it.”
Father Quiceno said he finds the most meaningful part of the March for Life to always be at the end, “when you look behind you and see you are not alone in this cause, that you are not the only one committed to life.”
Praying At Home
Father Rick Osborn, chaplain of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, was all set to accompany about 50 students to the march, but their trip was canceled.
Instead, Father Osborn and a group of about 20 parishioners from area parishes convened for a “last-minute gathering” near the grounds of the Planned Parenthood facility in Shrewsbury, where they prayed the Rosary for an end to abortion.
“I wanted to do something on the day since many of the buses in the area sadly were not able to travel,” said Father Osborn, who is also parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and a diocesan pro-life chaplain for Monmouth County.
“It was very disappointing not to be able to attend the March for Life,” he said, mentioning that all of the students who were planning to go “really wanted to go.”
“Despite not attending the march, it was essential for us to be united with the people in Washington in prayer for an end to abortion,” Father Osborn said.
“I encourage all people to please pray and get involved in any way possible in the local community to help advocate for the protection of human life from womb to tomb.”
A group of Monmouth County parishioners, along with Father Rick Osborn, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and Monmouth County pro-life chaplain, pray the Rosary near the Planned Parenthood facility in Shrewsbury. Photo from Father Osborn's Facebook page
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Kathryn Perez of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, and pilgrims from several northern coastal Monmouth County parishes caught up with Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) during the March for Life. The congressman hails from the Trenton Diocese and is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Perez There were at least three known buses from the Diocese that made the Jan. 19 trip, transporting pilgrims to the nation’s capital and then returning home safely. They were from northern coastal Monmouth County, southern Ocean County and Mercer County.
‘The March goes on’
Kathryn Perez, a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, has attended the March for Life for “dozens of years.” She remained firm when she said it was just as important to attend this year’s march and be with other supporters for life from throughout the nation — snow or no snow.
Perez was captain of the bus carrying members from her parish as well as St. Michael, West End; Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands; St. Luke Parish, Toms River; and students from the Catholic Campus Ministry in Monmouth University, West Long Branch. She said she was particularly heartened by the spirit the marchers exhibited throughout the day.
“They were on fire,” she said.
“The youth were excited, energetic and joyous! The mood was contagious. Being surrounded by a sea of young people is so uplifting,” Perez said. “There is hope for the future, even in this world where media and pop culture call good evil, and evil good.”
Young Person's Perspective
For Giovanni DeNatale, a junior in Monmouth University and student president of the Catholic Campus Ministry, attending the March for Life for the first time was a blessing.
“I had never been to a rally of this kind before, and I can confidently say that it was one of the best days of my life ever,” said DeNatale. “This was one of those instances where you could feel the energy reverberating throughout the grounds and it felt as if, for that day, our nation’s capital had not only been taken over, but reclaimed by those who fight to institute a culture that values and safeguards life for all.
“The energy behind this cause is the kind that someone would be willing to fight for their entire life and sacrifice himself or herself in order to be successful. I like to think that at the March I had finally begun to make good on my vow to never stop fighting for an end to abortion in America (and across the world) and to work towards the victory of the pro-life movement,” he said.
DeNatale described the spirit among the people as being “so infectious that I hope that one day this may be the spirit of our nation,” he said, adding “but that will only come once abortion is eradicated and our country returns to Christ as its cornerstone. This is a goal that I am willing to dedicate my life to and that I pray God grants me the Grace to make good on it.”
DeNatale admitted he was surprised to see the significant amount of high school and college-age attendees at the March and noted that the thought the greatest number were between the ages of 15 and 25.
Next year, DeNatale said he hopes to encourage more of his peers in the Catholic Campus Ministry to attend the March for Life.
“The March for Life was one of the best days and greatest events I have ever experienced,” he said. “It is an ambitious, yet attainable goal and one that I am confident we can achieve.
“I hope we expose more people to the importance of defending the right to life and that this fight takes all of us.”
Mission Minded
Father Walter Quiceno, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, traveled with his parishioners from southern Ocean County, along with three parishioners from St. Pius X Parish, Forked River.
“We feel this march is a personal mission and call we have received from God,” Father Quiceno said.
Noting that he sees the pilgrimage as a time “where we go to Washington calling people back to God and to conversion,” Father Quiceno said it’s impressive to see “all these thousands ... of people march while we pray the Holy Rosary over and over again asking for forgiveness, for repentance, for conversion and for God’s love in those who lack it.”
Father Quiceno said he finds the most meaningful part of the March for Life to always be at the end, “when you look behind you and see you are not alone in this cause, that you are not the only one committed to life.”
Praying At Home
Father Rick Osborn, chaplain of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, was all set to accompany about 50 students to the march, but their trip was canceled.
Instead, Father Osborn and a group of about 20 parishioners from area parishes convened for a “last-minute gathering” near the grounds of the Planned Parenthood facility in Shrewsbury, where they prayed the Rosary for an end to abortion.
“I wanted to do something on the day since many of the buses in the area sadly were not able to travel,” said Father Osborn, who is also parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and a diocesan pro-life chaplain for Monmouth County.
“It was very disappointing not to be able to attend the March for Life,” he said, mentioning that all of the students who were planning to go “really wanted to go.”
“Despite not attending the march, it was essential for us to be united with the people in Washington in prayer for an end to abortion,” Father Osborn said.
“I encourage all people to please pray and get involved in any way possible in the local community to help advocate for the protection of human life from womb to tomb.”
A group of Monmouth County parishioners, along with Father Rick Osborn, parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and Monmouth County pro-life chaplain, pray the Rosary near the Planned Parenthood facility in Shrewsbury. Photo from Father Osborn's Facebook page
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.