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THE MARCH Gathering to Uphold t
an. 22 will mark the 49th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade court decision legalizing abortion in our country. As Catholics, reverencing all life as a gift from God and all humans as made in the image and likeness of God, this is a somber day and it should remind us that our work is far from over. Hope is found, however, in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. As they have done every year since the Roe v. Wade case, Catholics from all over the country gather in union with other Christians and non-Christians in peaceful protest. Many of those who gather are young people, representing the growing pro-life generation. “There’s real truth to this being a pro-life generation,” says Eric Heckman, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Grand Island. “Young people see the need for justice and fairness, including when it comes to abortion. A growing number of young people see a lack of justice for the unborn child.” Eric is taking a contingent of young people from the Diocese of Grand Island, including St. Leo’s, to the March for Life in collaboration with the Diocese of Lincoln. The young people will begin their trip on Jan. 18, taking buses to Washington, D.C. The trip, a pilgrimage in many respects, includes the opportunity to sightsee in the capital and to visit the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The main event will be the march itself when hundreds of
thousands will take to the streets of Washington, D.C. to pray together and stand as witness to the sanctity of life. “This is an opportunity for young people to see the pro-life movement in action,” Eric says. “This is the kind of experience that sticks with you.” Though not everyone is able to attend, all of us are encouraged to be spiritually present and to pray in solidarity with those at the March for Life. Families and parish groups can set aside time to attend Mass or to pray a Rosary for an end to abortion and for the respect of all life, from conception to natural death. Pray for those attending the march, that their witness will change hearts, and pray for those whose hearts are hardened to the evil of abortion. There are many ways that we are called to defend the sanctity of life in our day-to-day lives. Through persistent prayer and tireless action, we are all called to be loving witnesses to the inherent dignity and value that all humans have. The March for Life may only come once each year — and each year we hope that it will be the last time — but it is an important wake-up call for those who have been numbed to the sad reality of abortion in our country. “Being part of the march allows you to see the passion that’s behind protecting the unborn,” Eric says. Let us unite in prayer on Jan. 22, 2022, and pray for an end to abortion!
“There’s real truth to this being a pro-life generation. Young people see the need for justice and fairness, including when it comes to abortion. A growing number of young people see a lack of justice for the unborn child.” — Eric Heckman, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Grand Island 4
