Local abortion foes show commitment

Catholic churches send bus to march.

By: Melissa Hayes
   Despite the snow and cold temperatures, about 20 members of St. Augustine of Canterbury and St. Cecilia’s churches boarded a bus and headed to Washington, D.C., early Monday morning for the March for Life.
   The annual demonstration, held by the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, marked the 32nd anniversary of the Jan. 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion.
   Sister Barbara Haworth of St. Cecilia’s said this was the first year the church was able to get enough people together to go.
   "This is my first year at St. Cecilia’s and Father (Sylvester) Cronin had wanted for a long time to get a bus to the march. This was the first year we could do it," she said.
   Sister Haworth said there were more people committed to the trip before the snowstorm.
   "We had a lot of people cancel," she said. "But we had 20 people that were delighted to go."
   Sister Haworth has been to many marches, but felt this one was different.
   "Although I’ve gone to a lot of marches before, this is the first one I’ve really felt a real support for life issues from our president and state representatives," she said.
   President George W. Bush addressed rally participants by telephone from Camp David. He sent his support and applauded the crowd’s efforts.
   Sister Haworth said that in spite of the weather around 100,000 people attended the march, according to speakers during the rally.
   "I think in my own observations there were more people and many more youths involved and the crowds were very enthusiastic considering what the weather was like," she said.
   She said the march was a good experience, it brought together different religious communities and legislators and introduced her to people in other parishes.
   "It’s been a real blessing for me to be a part of this pro-life march," Sister Haworth said. "It was a good feeling to be a part of something like this."
   Anne D’Angiolillo organized the group from St. Augustine’s, but was unable to attend the march herself because of the weather.
   "I’ve gone just about every year," she said, adding that this was only the third or fourth march she has missed in 32 years.
   "It’s a very important statement for the right to life," she said about the march.
   She said that after talking with participants, she felt the march went well. Ms. D’Angiolillo said she was hopeful that there wouldn’t be a need for many more marches with President Bush in office.
   "Every year we keep hoping it’s the last," she said.
   She said the march has seen a much younger crowd in recent years.
   "More and more of the young students and children are coming out and they’re going to have to pick up the pieces when we’re gone," she said.
   She said attending the march is very inspirational.
   "You see people that can hardly walk there," she said, remembering an elderly man who was determined to march for the cause.
   "If you have any doubts, you go to a march," she said.
   Ms. D’Angiolillo said the entire day is spent in prayer and song.
   Most groups, including those from South Brunswick, start the day with a Mass then head to the march where they continue to pray, not only for their cause but for those who have had abortions or are considering abortion, she said.
   "It’s thousands of people who are marching and we’re marching for the mother, father and the child," she said.
   She said she couldn’t explain how much of an impact the march has, she can only recommend that people attend and see for themselves.
   "You can’t really, really realize how inspiring it is," she said. "It brings different faiths together. It brings people together."