Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22nd as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. His proclamation was made on the 11th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.

Clearly, so much has changed around the issue of abortion over the past four decades, but the need to pray and advocate for a culture of life in our community and our nation remains vitally important. Abortion, especially chemical abortion, and the use of RU486 better known as the "abortion pill" continues to occur and court battles continue.

Each January, churches across the country commit themselves to observing the sanctity of human life while praying for our nation and the pro-life movement because as Catholics we know that the right to life is a human right. Our defense of that right is a joyful witness to the beauty and dignity of every human person.

Events like the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 23 and the Arizona March for life on February 28 are inspiring, peaceful, vibrant, and joy-filled rallies of women, men, young people, and children. The march in Washington draws people from all walks of life and from across the country. The March for Life is the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world.

While the Dobbs decision rightly returned the decision to the American people, our work to protect life continues at the state and federal levels. But the March for Life is not just a protest ... it is a celebration of each and every life, from the moment of conception. We envision a world where every life is celebrated, valued, and protected.

The Arizona March for Life at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza schedule of events are as follows:

10:00am
Pre-Rally Events
Prayer and Music
Roses for Life
Student Contests
Exhibitor Information Tables
Food Trucks

11:00am
Rally at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza

12:00pm 
Arizona March for Life

The Arizona March for Life has many ways for you to be involved as we stand together for life. There are the Roses for Life. Donate here: www.chooselifeaz.org/azmarchforlife. Your donation will help pregnant moms and babies! 100% of net proceeds from the Roses for Life Campaign will fund need requests in CarePortal. Your donation provides direct support for Pregnant women or moms with new-born babies. The group/church with the most rose donations will be recognized at the March For Life.

There are also ways for young people to make their voice heard in the prolife movement. Kindergarten all the way to high school seniors can be involved in the Arizona March for Life Campaign. You can create a video, write a letter, or draw poster all in the effort to promote life. See here for more information and past winners: www.chooselifeaz.org/mfl-student-contest.

Pope St. John Paul II wrote, "we are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the 'culture of death' and the 'culture of life'. ...we are all involved and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life."

In the face of challenges such as abortion and physician-assisted suicide, we may feel that we are not equal to the task of overcoming the darkness. Yet, we are not alone. Jesus tells us, "I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). And Christ is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). He is the one who overcame death and continually raises us to new life. He remains close to us always, especially in the suffering and dark moments of our lives.

Jesus gave His very flesh to give us the gift of eternal life. That same Lord invites us to the most profound experience of this gift in our celebration of the Eucharist. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, this encounter has the power to change us. Our Eucharistic King has the power to transform the depths of our hearts and the heart of our culture. United to the power of His Eucharistic Presence, may we work to ensure that each person has life-and has it in abundance.

A Prayer for Life to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

O Jesus, you came that we might have life-and have it in abundance. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you form us in our mothers' wombs and call us to love you for all eternity. As your most precious gift of human life is attacked, draw us ever closer to your Real Presence in the Eucharist. Dispel the darkness of the culture of death, for you are the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. By the power of your Eucharistic Presence, help us to defend the life of every human person at every stage. Transform our hearts to protect and cherish all whose lives are most vulnerable. For you are God, forever and ever. Amen.

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