This month, the Office for Respect Life Ministries is hosting a trip to the March for Life in Washington, DC for the first time in five years. In January 2021, due to COVD-19 restrictions placed on the streets of our nation’s Capital, relatively few were able to attend that year’s March for Life in Washington, DC. Since then, several things have come into play to make it much more challenging to organize a trip, but we are excited to make this trip a reality for many of our young people once again. In the interim, the Office for Respect Life Ministries created a March for Life Toolkit to empower parishes, schools, and respect life groups to join in the vigil at home, and those materials are still available to you, whether you are attending or not, especially if you work with youth. So, whether in conjunction with your planned trip to Washington, DC or perhaps especially for those unable to attend, we have created a WEBSITE with an abundance of resources ranging from PRO-LIFE MOVIE NIGHT options to YOUTH MINISTRY LESSON PLANS and ideas for PRO-LIFE PRAYER SERVICES.
In addition, I want to let you know about some of the local events you can attend in January. First, there is our annual RESPECT LIFE MASS with Archbishop Schnurr on Sunday, January 19th at the 10AM Mass at the St Peter in Chains Cathedral Basilica downtown. We will honor our 2024 Respect Life Award winner at that Mass. Also on Sunday, January 19th, ALL SAINTS PARISH is hosting their annual Celebrate Life Event from 12 noon to 3PM with Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, a fire pit and a prayer service. On Sunday, February 2nd at 2PM, you may join CINCINNATI RIGHT TO LIFE for a peaceful and prayerful event where we march beginning at Holy Name Church (2422 Auburn Ave) to Cincinnati Planned Parenthood’s abortion headquarters with hundreds of other pro-life supporters. Of course, you should surround all of these events with prayer, and one easy way to do that is by participating in the novena 9 DAYS FOR LIFE for the protection of human life organized by the USCCB. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. Click on the link above to learn more or sign up for daily reminders.
Regardless of whether you travel or stay home, let us also pray together for the countless women and men who are suffering from the consequences of abortion, that they might find HEALING AND FORGIVENESS, and let us work ardently to create a culture of life