Wednesday, January 20, 2010

ARCHDIOCESE — Pro-life groups and organizations throughout the archdiocese are marking the 37th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision in a variety of ways.

On Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., there will be a Mass of healing at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Anderson Township for parents who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or other cause. Before Mass there will be an opportunity for parents to witness to their healing from the loss. The sacrament of reconciliation will be offered, and literature from support groups will be available.

The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants held a Mass for life at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Price Hill on Jan. 9., with Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr presiding. A rosary procession to a nearby Planned Parenthood clinic followed the Mass. (CT/Tony Tribble)

On Jan. 22, at 2 p.m., a Cincinnati March for Life memorial Mass with benediction is scheduled at All Saints Church in Cincinnati. The Mass will be followed by an outdoor rosary march at 3:15 p.m., with a bonfire and hot chocolate, followed by a prayer service in the church at 6 p.m. All ages are invited. The events are sponsored by the All Saints, St. Vincent Ferrer and St. Saviour youth groups.

A sendoff prayer service for the students and adults from Cincinnati area high schools and parishes taking part in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., is scheduled for Jan. 21, 7 p.m., at Good Shepherd Parish, 8815 East Kemper Rd., Montgomery. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will preside.

A candlelight vigil organized by Shelby County Right to Life is scheduled for Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. Every year since 1974, SCRTL has organized a vigil on or near Jan. 22. Hundreds of people gather at the courthouse square in downtown Sidney for the event. Beginning in the basement of the courthouse, the vigil commences with a prayer and brief address by area clergy, followed by a candelight procession around the building. After the vigil, buses depart for the March for Life.

The Mercer County Right to Life group will host their annual sendoff rally on Jan. 21, 6 p.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater. Guest speakers will be Angie Crider of Celina and Eric Hirschfeld from New Bremen. Father Barry Stechschulte will give the opening and closing prayers. The annual Friend for Life Award will be presented during the rally. Three buses will depart for the March for Life after the rally.

The 26th annual pro-life rosary procession is scheduled for Jan. 23, beginning at 11 a.m., on the steps of Cincinnati City Hall. The procession will proceed on foot through the streets of downtown Cincinnati to Fountain Square while praying 15 decades of the rosary. Once at Fountain Square participants can enjoy complimentary refreshments while listening to brief comments from pro-life speakers, including Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Monzel; Jack Gruber, chairman of Family First; Bob Cetrulo, president of Northern Kentucky Right to Life; and former State Rep. Tom Brinkman.