Local Catholics travel to D.C. to march for life’s most vulnerable
January 26, 2025 at 1:01 p.m.
Catholics from the Diocese of Trenton who attended the 52nd National March for Life in Washington said they attended to stand for the most vulnerable members of the population.
“Actions speak louder than words,” said Father Michael Wallack, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown. “We are not really living the Gospel if we are not really standing up for the most vulnerable, especially the unborn.”
Father Wallack attended the Jan. 24 march with 27 of his parishioners – his fifth time attending since being installed as pastor six years ago. Despite the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that ended federal protections for abortion, Father Wallack believes it is more important than ever for people to stand up for life.
Richard Pieslak of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, agreed.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people at the March for Life. Often, you think you’re in a very small minority of pro-life individuals, so it’s great to be among like-minded people from all over the country,” he said.
This year was Pieslak’s 10th march; he attended with nearly 30 parishioners from both his parish and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown. He said being at the March of Life gives him motivation to continue raising awareness of pro-life causes throughout the year. As a Knight of Columbus at St. Gregory’s, Pieslak visits a local Planned Parenthood clinic every Saturday. There, he hands out literature about nearby pregnancy resource centers to mothers in crisis.
Father Walter Quiceno, left, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, and parishioners, are on the bus ride to Washington. Facebook photo
Pieslak said he was pleasantly surprised to see so many young people at this year’s March for Life.
“It makes me hopeful that there’s youth out there to take over when the older individuals can’t,” he said.
Among the young people at the March were 29 students from Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank. Deborah Flego, religion teacher, has been accompanying her classes to the March for Life since 2011.
“I hope students will see that they are supported in a beautiful, hope-filled way by millions of people,” she said. “They are constantly fed lies on social media and need to know the truth.”
“I feel it is my duty to stand up for the ones that can’t speak for themselves,” said senior Sarah Moser, who has attended the March three times since 2020.
Moser is also president of her school’s Casey4Life program. Students participate in various pro-life activities throughout the year, such as a “baby shower” and diaper drive for local mothers in need.
Flego was heartened by the day’s speakers, but also the enthusiasm for the life cause expressed by the people around her.
“The sacredness of human life is the basis for how we treat the poor, neglected, elderly, sick and marginalized, and should be the measure by which we love all people,” she said.
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Catholics from the Diocese of Trenton who attended the 52nd National March for Life in Washington said they attended to stand for the most vulnerable members of the population.
“Actions speak louder than words,” said Father Michael Wallack, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown. “We are not really living the Gospel if we are not really standing up for the most vulnerable, especially the unborn.”
Father Wallack attended the Jan. 24 march with 27 of his parishioners – his fifth time attending since being installed as pastor six years ago. Despite the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that ended federal protections for abortion, Father Wallack believes it is more important than ever for people to stand up for life.
Richard Pieslak of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, agreed.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people at the March for Life. Often, you think you’re in a very small minority of pro-life individuals, so it’s great to be among like-minded people from all over the country,” he said.
This year was Pieslak’s 10th march; he attended with nearly 30 parishioners from both his parish and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown. He said being at the March of Life gives him motivation to continue raising awareness of pro-life causes throughout the year. As a Knight of Columbus at St. Gregory’s, Pieslak visits a local Planned Parenthood clinic every Saturday. There, he hands out literature about nearby pregnancy resource centers to mothers in crisis.
Father Walter Quiceno, left, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, and parishioners, are on the bus ride to Washington. Facebook photo
Pieslak said he was pleasantly surprised to see so many young people at this year’s March for Life.
“It makes me hopeful that there’s youth out there to take over when the older individuals can’t,” he said.
Among the young people at the March were 29 students from Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank. Deborah Flego, religion teacher, has been accompanying her classes to the March for Life since 2011.
“I hope students will see that they are supported in a beautiful, hope-filled way by millions of people,” she said. “They are constantly fed lies on social media and need to know the truth.”
“I feel it is my duty to stand up for the ones that can’t speak for themselves,” said senior Sarah Moser, who has attended the March three times since 2020.
Moser is also president of her school’s Casey4Life program. Students participate in various pro-life activities throughout the year, such as a “baby shower” and diaper drive for local mothers in need.
Flego was heartened by the day’s speakers, but also the enthusiasm for the life cause expressed by the people around her.
“The sacredness of human life is the basis for how we treat the poor, neglected, elderly, sick and marginalized, and should be the measure by which we love all people,” she said.