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March for Life - January 24, 2005       [Back to Photo gallery index]
Center Director Chris Weber joined youth and adults from St. Peter the Apostle, Libertytown and Holy Family Middletown to brave the bitter cold for the 32nd Annual March for Life in Washington, DC. The annual event brought thousands from around the country together to protest the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. This was an amazing day to be Catholic, as Catholic parishes, schools and organizations dominated the event. 

Our bus took part in the 9 AM Youth Rally at the MCI Center, followed by a Eucharistic Liturgy at 10 AM. We then joined the main group of marchers at the Washington Monument. Around 2 PM, the March left the Mall. The peaceful protest surged past the Capitol around 3:15 PM, and concluded at the Supreme Court building. Scroll down for Chris Weber's photos of the event.      VIDEO CLIP: "The Wave" during the Youth Rally! (871KB)

On the way home, participants wrote down some of their reactions to the day. For a compilations of their remarks, <click here>

Getting ready

Youth and adults gather at St. Peter in Libertytown for their 7 AM departure.

Two buses left from St. Peter in Libertytown. Several transported parishioners from all around Central Maryland.

Dawn Miller, youth minister from St. Peter, Libertytown, briefs marchers from St. Peter's and Holy Family, Middletown.

Arrival at MCI Center, Washington, for the Youth Rally.

Over 20,000 people attended the annual youth rally at the MCI Center.

Musical guests at the rally included Steve Angrisano, Fr. Stan Fortuna, Tony Melendez and Who Do You Say That I Am?

Participants from Central MD get into the Rally!

Participants enjoyed a brief "conga line"...

Bishop W. Francis Malooly distributes communion during the Rally Mass,

Cardinal Keeler concelebrated at the Eucharistic Liturgy.

A view of the "jumbotron" from our seats, on the floor of the Center.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was the main presider for the Liturgy.

Getting ready to head out for the march.

Participants at the Rally head over to the Mall, to meet the larger body of marchers.

Note the red scarf on the pole. This was the rallying banner for our busload -- much needed in the throngs to follow! The White House is in the background.

Youth and adults from St. Peter, Libertytown, and Holy Family, Middletown. (Chris Weber photo)

It got colder and colder as we stood for nearly two hours, waiting for the march to get underway.

Thousands of marchers swept down Constitution Avenue. It was impossible to judge how many were there; the crowd went in both directions, across multiple lanes, for as far as you could see.

The March for Life nears the Capitol, on its way to the Supreme Court building.

Outside Union Station, our group met the bus amidst one final flurry of snow.

What participants from St. Peter's and Holy Family had to say:

It was very exciting!
- Indre, St. Peter's youth

  

We will walk until abortion is stopped. Hopefully, this time was the last time! - Eva, St. Peter's youth

I loved this march. It was awesome! I made lots of new friends as well as expressing my opinions about abortion. Love you all and God bless. - Kendra, St. Peter's youth

  

It was good fun and God noticed.
But most important the world noticed and they will learn. - Kevin, St. Peter's youth

This was my first ever protest, and the peacefulness and tranquility of the whole day just shows that violence isn't the answer, and neither is abortion. - Jennie, St. Peter's youth

  

This was my second March for Life, but my 1st with St. Peter's. It amazes me how many people gather for a common goal. It's wonderful to see.
- Maria, St. Peter's youth

I was a chaperone with the Holy Family group. I have been to the March 5 or 6 times, but adding the Youth Rally and Mass this year made it an even greater experience.
- George, Holy Family Catholic Community

  

It was a great feeling to know that I was part of such a great cause. - Liz - St. Peter's youth

It was awesome to see thousands of people who were pro-life, like me. - Kristin, St. Peter's youth

  

Every experience of the larger church is inspiring - just being part of a significant event like the March for Life is awesome - and it's even more incredible that I am able to bring teens with me to share in it all. - Ruthann, Holy Family Catholic Community

This was my first pro-life Rally and March. What an amazing experience! It was awesome to share in the prayer and communion with the youth of today.
 - Karen, St. Peter's chaperone

  

My favorite parts of the day were: 1) seeing the young guys and girls standing up at the MCI center declaring their intention to consider the religious life; 2) watching the women who were "silent no more" stand up and tell the world that their "choice" was wrong; 3) witnessing the number of young men who were passionate about the pro-life movement. Thank you to St. Peter's for letting the Holy Family crew join you! 
- Rebecca - with Holy Family Catholic Community

Abortion Kills.
- Gabby, St. Peter's youth

  

God bless everyone.
Evan - St. Peter's youth

Hello, Pro-Lifers!
- Kevin, St. Peter's youth

    

The Catholic Education Ministries Center of Central Maryland provides ongoing support to the Catechetical Ministries of Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties. This includes training programs for leaders and volunteers in parishes and schools, plus consultation in all areas of catechesis.

Catholic Education Ministries - Mount Saint Mary's, Emmitsburg, 21727
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