Several opportunities are available to participate in the 2017 March for Life, both in Washington, D.C., and locally.
The 44th-annual march is set to take place in Washington on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. It will note the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in the United States.
Buses are scheduled to leave late Thursday night, Jan. 26, from various parts of the diocese and arrive back home the following night. Departure locations, along with reservation contact information, are as follows:
* Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler counties — saspaul@stny.rr.com or 607-739-9282 or 607-857-8479.
* Ithaca — ithacatodc@yahoo.com or 315-246-7479 or 607-351-6668.
* Webster/Penfield — committeeforlife@yahoo.com or 585-503-3256.
* Greece — ghubbel@frontiernet.net or 585-317-8686.
In addition, Rochester’s Holy Apostles Parish is arranging a private bus for youths, and buses also are being chartered for students at McQuaid Jesuit and Our Lady of Mercy high schools.
Pilgrims to the nation’s capital will take part in such activities as attending Masses and a youth rally; meeting with local legislators; and visiting the Supreme Court on the morning of Jan. 27 as they demonstrate their support for human life in all forms — particularly the unborn — and legal protection for those lives. The March for Life rally will then take place at noon at the Washington Monument, with the actual march beginning at 1 p.m. and proceeding up Constitution Avenue to the Capitol and Supreme Court.
Among the participants in Washington will be Rochester Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, who will concelebrate a Mass with Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, celebrant, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop Matano will later march with the Rochester-area pilgrims.
Bishop Matano also is set to preside at a Mass for Life prior to the march. All are invited to attend the liturgy, which will take place Sunday, Jan. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Apostles Church, corner of Lyell Avenue and Austin Street, Rochester.
For further details on the March for Life, contact Suzanne Stack, diocesan life-issues coordinator, at sstack@dor.org or 585-328-3210, ext. 1304.
