43rd Annual March for Life

Impending blizzard doesn’t dampen spirits of Marchers in Washington as tens of thousands take part in annual event

WASHINGTON  Even an impending blizzard ready to hit the nation’s capital didn't dampen the spirits of hundreds of faithful from the Paterson Diocese who traveled by bus to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 43rd annual March for Life Jan. 22.

Father Michael Rodak, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in West Milford and diocesan pilgrimage director, lead some of these brave pilgrims, who were dedicated to being witnesses to the unborn in the womb. Because of the blizzard warnings, diocesan pilgrims from Our Lady Queen of Peace, Our Lady of Magnificat in Kinnelon and Our Lady of the Holy Angels in Little Falls had a brief stay and considered this year’s March a spiritual day that began with the recitation of the rosary outside the U.S. Supreme Court building, where abortion was made legal in 1973. Following the rosary, Mass was celebrated at 12:10 p.m. in St. Peter Church on Capitol Hill here by Father Rodak and Father Lukasz Iwanczuk, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Magnificat Parish in Kinnelon. “We made this pilgrimage on behalf of the innocent who have never been born to see snow, had a chance to pray aloud or walk like we do today,” said Father Rodak. “We were able to accomplish a lot even with the small amount of time we had. Everyone understood that this was a time of prayer. There were many who never had the opportunity to do this and we had this great opportunity. This is the mission we were called to do.”

After the Mass, returned back home just missing the blizzard conditions in Washington.

As with marches of the past, the youth presence was greatly evident through the students carrying the banners of Catholic colleges and high schools who took part in the pro-life March. From the diocese, a group of young people from DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, were among those who marched.

In addition to the many young people, a significant number of Knights of Columbus members attend the March. Bruce DeMolli, N.J. Knights of Columbus state deputy and a parishioner of Our Lady of the Holy Angels, who attended previous Marches, said, “For the Knights showing support for life is one of our most important ministries and we need to continue to send out the pro-life message.”

With the impending historic snow, many parishes around the country made the difficult decision to cancel trips to Washington due to safety concerns. But even, if they were unable to travel to Washington, many still participated on social media using the hashtag #WhyWeMarch, part of the March for Life’s social media campaign.

At the Diocesan Chancery Office in Clifton, Sister of Christian Charity Joan Daniel Healy, chancellor/delegate for religious, told all diocesan employees, “As we unite in spirit today with our pilgrims throughout the United States as they set out to be witness to the value of life, we remember all-powerful and ever-living God that when Tobit set out on his journey, you sent your angel Raphael to guide and protect him. In the same way, protect our travelers as they journey to Washington, D.C. Walk side by side with them, be their companion and strength as they demonstrated peacefully for the right of all to life.” The Diocese also held a Mass for Life, Jan. 22 in the Chancery’s Mary Seat of Wisdom Oratory with Father Edward Lambro, as the celebrant.

In the weeks leading up to the March, many parishes in the diocese hosted Rose Drives, to help defray the cost of the buses that transported parishioners to Washington. The rose has become a symbol for the March for Life.

At St. Cecilia Parish in Rockaway, on the Saturday before the March for Life, parishioners gathered together and hosted a Rockaway March for Life at Rockaway Park Lake to pray for the unborn, witness publicly for the culture of life and to educate others on the dignity and beauty of all human life.

Getting youth involved, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Sparta hosted a Respect Life Essay and Poster Contest, honoring elementary school students of the parish. Amanda Scanlan, a seventh-grader, wrote “Pro-Life is a crucial adjective that all people should live by. Catholics are making a stand against abortion, (especially) our very own Pope Francis. It is extremely important to make people aware of the sacredness of every possible life, whether the child is born yet, or still in the womb.”

On Jan. 22, many parishes also hosted special Masses and hours of Eucharistic Adoration in prayer for the Sanctity of Human Life.

This year’s, March for Life organizers themed the day, “Pro-Life and Pro-Woman Go Hand-In-Hand” to debunk the myth that being pro-choice means being pro-woman, according to the organization’s website. “There are so many confusing messages regarding women and the issue of abortion, compounded by the false “war on women” rhetoric. The truth is that life is the empowering choice for women. It’s best for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies and it’s best for developing female babies in the womb. Abortion harms women and affects our society as a whole in so many ways,” the message on the website stated.