Bishop-elect Kulick Invites All to Virtual Celebration of March for Life

On Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions. Since that time, millions of unborn children have lost their lives and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion. The annual March for Life, held every year since those court decisions, has brought hundreds of thousands of people to Washington, D.C., in January to pray for unborn children and to pray for the reversal of those decisions. As the March for Life grew, so did the number of pro-life events held in the U.S., including our diocese.

The challenges of the pandemic should not stop us from engaging in this critical mission. We must always remember that a respect for every human life is at the heart of any care and concern that we provide to humankind.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a possible surge in cases, this year’s March for Life will take place virtually on Friday, Jan. 29. Organizers ask all participants to stay home and join the live broadcast, which will include speeches from pro-life leaders, information on how to stay involved in the pro-life movement all year long to build a culture where every human life is valued and protected, and a performance by Christian singer and songwriter Matthew West. For a list of this and other virtual events and how to participate, please visit:

https://marchforlife.org/2021-virtual-events/.

In conjunction with the national observance, the Greensburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its annual “Pro-Life Prayer Day” on Friday, Jan. 29, at Christ Our Shepherd Center, Greensburg, with a noon Mass celebrated by Bishop-elect Larry J. Kulick, diocesan chaplain for the DCCW. Due to social distancing requirements at the center, people are encouraged to participate in this event virtually. The noon Mass will be available on the diocesan website, www.DioceseofGreensburg.org, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The day’s schedule is:

11:30 a.m.  Rosary for Priests

Noon  Mass celebrated by Bishop-elect Larry J. Kulick followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

1:30 p.m.  Rosary for Life

2:15 p.m.  Stations of the Cross for Life

3 p.m.  Divine Mercy Chaplet

3:30 p.m.  Litany for Life with closing prayer and Benediction

No reservations are needed and you may attend at any time during the day. You must wear a mask and practice safe social distancing. For more information, contact Betty Nemchik at 724-668-7436.  

Donations are being accepted for Birthright of Greensburg and Life-Way Pregnancy Center in Latrobe. They are in need of baby bottles, diapers, sleepers, onesies, baby blankets or monetary gifts. Contact lifewaypregnancycenter.org or birthright.org for additional information. Donations can be delivered to Saint James Parish, New Alexandria, no later than Thursday, Jan. 28 in the collection box at the back entrance of the church, or they can be dropped off at the “Pro-Life Prayer Day” Jan. 29 at the Christ our Shepherd Center.  

The USCCB sponsors an annual, nationwide novena called “9 Days for Life.” Each day for nine days, a different intention is featured, accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions, and related information as we pray for the respect and protection of every human life. In 2021, the novena will take place Jan. 21–29. Information: https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-for-life and https://www.respectlife.org/leaders-resources.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated virtually beginning Jan. 28 at 8:30 p.m. at https://www.nationalshrine.org/mass/ and on EWTN.

In this time, when so many things are different, the constancy of our belief in the sanctity of all life remains unchanged. I encourage you, in as many ways as possible, to unite in prayer that all attacks on human life end; and as our social justice doctrine teaches us, that each person is treated with dignity and respect from the moment of conception until natural death. In closing, Pope Francis recently expressed that “if we fail to protect life, no other rights matter.” May our prayers and our actions be focused on the heart of our mission.

Thank you and God bless you,

Larry J. Kulick, J.C.L.

Bishop-elect of Greensburg