FALL RIVER – Almost 300 high school students and chaperones from the five Diocesan Catholic high schools will make the long bus trip to Washington, D.C., next week to celebrate their belief in the value of every human life, from the moment of conception to natural death. Our students will join tens of thousands of others from around the country at the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration, the 47th annual March for Life. This year’s theme is Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman and includes the incredible history of women who pioneered the women’s rights movement and their pro-life beliefs.

Irina DeLucca, director of the Pro-Life Apostolate for the Diocese of Fall River comments, “It is amazing to witness the passion and dedication our students have in their pro-life beliefs. The March for Life offers them an opportunity to experience first-hand the importance of getting involved in order to make a difference. We dream of a world where every life is celebrated, valued, and protected.”

“This is my third year attending the March for Life. Every year, the March for Life is an incredibly impactful experience. Being on the March for Life is more than defending babies in the womb. It is defending all life, from the moment of conception to our natural death,” indicates Thomas Canuel a senior at Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton. “We cannot ignore our responsibility to stand up for life and what is right. For me, the March for Life allows me to remain in solidarity with the most vulnerable in society and pray for all those who cannot defend their own lives.”

Marie Carney, a senior from St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis adds, “The March is my favorite part of the entire event because we have an opportunity to listen to some amazing speakers, meet students from all over the United States, as well as play a small part in showing support for such a big issue. Our pro-life beliefs need to be heard and I am so impressed by the distance many schools travel to show their support.”

As the former director of the Pro-Life Apostolate, Marian Desrosiers concludes, “When we first started going to the Pro-Life March 26 years ago, there were a total of 84 pilgrims. Today, that number has tripled and continues to grow. What a blessing to have so many young people represent all of us at the March for Life events in DC. May our prayers, through the intercession of Our Lady, ask for His blessings on all our Diocesan Pilgrims. We are so grateful and proud of all of you.”

The buses will depart from Bishop Stang High, Dartmouth, Coyle and Cassidy High, and Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River early on Thursday morning and are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., later in the day. Some students will attend an evening Mass at the Basilica while others will go to an Evening of Prayer at George Mason University. On Friday, January 24th, after a morning Pro-Life Rally at George Mason University, the entire group will join tens of thousands of other supporters in the March for Life on the National Mall and Constitution Avenue.

For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance, please go to www.catholicschoolsalliance.org.

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About the Catholic Schools Alliance
The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. Our schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential. With an emphasis on service and respect for the dignity of every person, we prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s diverse world and become meaningful contributors to society.

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River