A funny thing happened when we called some parishes to inquire as to whether they would be sponsoring buses to this year’s March for Life Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C. We were told in some instances that the particular parish would not be sending a bus because of the poor response last year.
In fact, people from Brooklyn and Queens usually turn out in large numbers for the annual Life March, which is a protest of the nation’s abortion-on-demand policy. The demonstration takes place on the anniversary of the devastating Supreme Court ruling, Roe v. Wade, handed down in 1973, which led to legalized abortion in the U.S. This year, it is taking place one day after the tragic anniversary because it falls on a Sunday.
To better coordinate participation, the diocese’s Government Affairs Office is organizing two buses that will pick up people in Brooklyn and Queens.
The Brooklyn bus will begin at 6:30 a.m. from SS. Peter and Paul Church on South Second St. in Williamsburg. From there, it will proceed to St. Anselm’s Church on Fourth Ave. and 82 St. in Bay Ridge, where it will pick up participants at 7:30 a.m. before heading south to the nation’s capital.
The Queens bus will start at 6:30 a.m. from Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, Douglaston, and then proceed to Resurrection-Ascension Church, Rego Park, at 7:30 a.m.
Parking is available at all sites. The buses will return riders to their vehicles later that evening.
In addition to the diocesan buses, several parishes are organizing on their own. They include:
St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor — Bus leaves after 6:30 a.m. Mass and is expected to return around 4:30 p.m. To reserve a seat, contact Rita Hayden, 634-6138, or Rita Sweeney, 634-7394, stroserb@aol.com.
St. Clare’s Church, Rosedale — Bus leaves after 5:30 a.m. Mass and is estimated to return by 9:30 p.m. $15 per person. Seats are limited. Register by Jan. 16. To reserve a seat, contact seminarian Evans Julce at the parish office, 341-1018.
St. Joan of Arc, Jackson Heights — Seats must be reserved. $30. Call Teresita, 429-2333.
Holy Family, Flushing — Seats must be reserved. $30. Call Cathy Donohoe, 917-929-2752.
St. Joseph, Astoria, and St. Stanislaus, Maspeth — Bus leaves from St. Joseph at 6 a.m. and St. Stan’s at 6:30 a.m. Free. Call Anne Gilmartin, 651-9017.
St. Sebastian, Woodside — Bus leaves after 6 a.m. Mass. A reservation is required with a $10 refundable deposit. Call 429-4442.
The Tablet will be sending a reporter on the diocese’s Brooklyn bus. Also on board will be a camera crew from The NET, the diocesan television station. Full reports will be aired the followed day on Currents, which airs nightly at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
In the past few years, the number of young people traveling to the March has increased, both on a national and local level.
“The crowds are getting bigger and bigger each year and have more young people, which is encouraging for the pro-life movement and a shock for those who think abortion should remain legal,” Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, told Catholic News Service.
And based on expected turnouts, this year will be no exception, including a strong showing of young people from Brooklyn and Queens.
