All are invited to join the pilgrims for Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Cistone at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Rd., Shields 8 a.m., tomorrow, Jan. 26. Following Mass, the pilgrims will depart for Washington, D.C., on seven charter busses. Expected departure time is 9 a.m.
WHAT: Led by Bishop Joseph Cistone, 368 teens and adults from the Catholic Diocese of
Saginaw will make a pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The group will protest the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion.
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 26 to Sunday, Jan. 29
SAGINAW On Thursday, Jan. 26, hundreds of Catholic pilgrims, mostly teens from across the diocese, will travel by bus to Washington, D.C. Led by the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, they will join hundreds of thousands of fellow Catholics and people of all faiths during the 44th Annual March for Life on Friday, Jan. 27. The massive group from across the country and even around the globe, will raise awareness to the more than 57 million babies who have been aborted since the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
"Our pilgrims, many of them young people, understand deep within themselves just how important it is to support life, to love life, and to protect life in all its stages," Bishop Cistone said. "Each year, we march with great enthusiasm, but also with seriousness of why we are there, as we show our support for the wonderful gift of life that God gives to each of us."
The theme of this year's March for Life is "The Power of One." The official March for Life website notes that, "One person can make a difference in the world, whether in the life of one person or many. Sadly, in the U.S. alone, 1 million babies are not even given the opportunity to live and change the world each year. Building a culture of life and ending abortion takes each and every person. Starting with your family or neighborhood, our collective efforts will change hearts and minds, save lives, and build a culture of life."
As part of the Diocese of Saginaw pilgrimage, participants will spend an evening learning more about the issue of abortion and the sacredness of human life. The evening will include reflections from Bishop Cistone, as well as praise and worship music. Additionally, while in the nation's capital, Bishop Cistone will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
"Experiencing the March for Life has a profound impact on our young people," said Mark Graveline, coordinator of youth ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw. "It broadens their perspective, and enables them to "share their renewed energy and knowledge within their own parish communities upon their return."
Members of the community are encouraged to follow the events of the pilgrimage online. The Office of Communications will post photos on the Diocese of Saginaw's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dioceseofsaginaw and on the diocesan website: Saginaw.org. The pilgrims are expected to arrive home at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29.
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