Several opportunities are available for taking part in the March for Life, both on the day of the march and via a special liturgy five days prior to the national event.
Openings remain for joining area pilgrims — including Bishop Salvatore R. Matano — at the 46th-annual march on Friday, Jan. 18, in Washington, D.C. Buses from the Diocese of Rochester will leave late Thursday night, Jan. 17, and return home the following night.
Departure locations, along with contact information for reservations, are as follows:
‚Ä¢ Chemung County/Southern Tier — e-mail saspaul@stny.rr.com or call 607-739-9282.
‚Ä¢ Greece/western Monroe County — call 585-663-5432, ext. 18.
‚Ä¢ Webster/eastern Monroe County — visit http://march4life.gmsander.info.
Numerous groups, families and individuals also are traveling privately to the march, which was instituted in opposition to the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v Wade that legalized abortion across the country. It is the largest pro-life event in the country.
In the hours prior to the march, Bishop Matano will serve as a concelebrant for a 10 a.m. Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; the bishop is due to march with the Rochester contingent afterward later that day. Marchers will unite for a rally on the National Mall at noon, with the march set to begin at approximately 1 p.m. It will head up Constitution Avenue toward the U.S. Capitol and then the U.S. Supreme Court building.
Other highlights in the nation’s capital will include a special youth rally and Mass for Life at the Capitol One Arena, a National Prayer Vigil for Life at the basilica, other Masses and prayer events, and opportunities to speak with legislators.
On the Sunday prior to the march, Bishop Matano will preside locally at a Mass for Life on Jan. 13 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 95 N. Main St., Canandaigua. All are invited to attend the liturgy.
In addition, a march will take place on Jan. 18 in Ithaca to coincide with the Washington event. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 113 N. Geneva St. For more information, contact Carolann Darling at 607-351-6668.
And in Elmira, rosary recitation for the end of abortion will take place Saturday, Jan. 19 at 8:30 a.m. across the street from the Planned Parenthood office, 755 E. Church St. For details, contact Theresa Bucci at 607-733-2691.
Additional details about the March for Life may be obtained from Suzanne Stack, diocesan life-issues coordinator, at suzanne.stack@dor.org or 585-328-3210, ext. 1304.
A full listing of March for Life activities is available at marchforlife.org.
