Updated information for Indiana March for Life events on Jan. 21 and 22, and for Terre Haute vigil on Jan. 30
Lafayette Bishop Timothy L. Doherty, left, concelebrates as Archbishop Charles C. Thompson raises the Blessed Sacrament during a Jan. 22, 2020, Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis prior to the Indiana March for Life. (Criterion file photo by Sean Gallagher)
By Natalie Hoefer
The Criterion has obtained more information regarding the Jan. 22 Indiana March for Life march and rally, held in solemn observance of the 1973 Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
Due to Marion County COVID restrictions, the march and rally are now limited to 250 people, and registration is required. To register for the march and rally, go to www.rtlindy.org (separate registration is still required for the Mass—see below for details).
Also, the location for the diaper drive has been set. Diapers to benefit three Indianapolis pregnancy care centers can be dropped off in the parking lot of St. John the Evangelist Church, 126 W. Georgia St., in Indianapolis, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See below for more details.
Following is detailed information about the Indiana March for Life vigil on Jan. 21; the Mass, march, rally and diaper drive on Jan. 22; and the Roe v. Wade solemn observance in Terre Haute on Jan. 30.
Jan. 21 Vigil
The events will begin with a prayer vigil, organized by the Lafayette Diocese, from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 21 at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 10655 Haverstick Road, in Carmel, Ind. (Lafayette Diocese). The evening will include eucharistic adoration, praise and worship music and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
Seating is limited to 200 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and mask-wearing and social distancing will be observed. Registration is required at vigilforlifecarmel2021.eventbrite.com.
Jan. 22 Mass
The archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity is sponsoring the Mass on Jan. 22. It will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson at St. John the Evangelist Church, 126 W. Georgia St., in Indianapolis, at 10:30 a.m. Due to coronavirus safety measures, the church capacity is currently 250. Therefore, registration for the Mass is required, and tickets (paper or by showing e-mailed ticket on a mobile device) will be gathered at the church entrances.
To register, go to cutt.ly/IndyMarch4LifeMass. Guidelines and regulations may change per Marion County recommendations, so the number of tickets available will be updated to allow as many people to attend the Mass as possible.
Updates can be found at www.archindy.org/humanlifeanddignity. The Mass will also be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/stjohnsindy and www.stjohnsindy.org/mass-feed.html.
Update: Indiana Right to Life Mass with the archbishop is full, but will be livestreamed
Jan. 22 march, rally and diaper drive
The march and rally, coordinated by Right to Life of Indianapolis, will take place at noon, starting on Georgia Street between Capitol Avenue and Illinois Street near St. John the Evangelist Church. The march will process to Monument Circle, then around the Indiana state capitol building, ending on the south lawn, where a rally will take place. Masks and social distancing will be observed. For information on how to register for the march and rally and for updates, go to www.rtlindy.org.
The Indiana March for Life is also a registered stop this year on March for Life Chicago’s “Moving the Movement” Midwest tour. The tour includes seven events in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin, as well as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind., between Jan. 2 and Jan. 23.
Also new this year as part of the Moving the Movement tour, all are asked to donate diapers on Jan. 22 in the parking lot of St. John the Evangelist Church from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Diaper donations are welcome regardless of participation in the march or rally. The goal is to gather 130,000 diapers, one for every child aborted on average annually in the Midwest.
The diapers will be donated to Birthline, Life Centers and Women’s Care Center. Financial donations to purchase diapers can also be made at cutt.ly/IndyMarch4LifeDiapers, with the ability to direct the contribution to the three designated pregnancy care centers and ministries in Indianapolis.
For updates regarding the march and rally—particularly in terms of changes to the number allowed to participate—and the diaper drive, go to www.rtlindy.org.
UPDATE: INDIANA MARCH FOR LIFE ON JAN. 22 WILL NOW BE A CAR PROCESSION AND RALLY, AND ANYONE CAN ATTEND
Registration required at www.rtlindy.org.
11:45 a.m. - Registered cars line up along Georgia St. and Capitol Avenue.
Noon - Car procession through downtown Indianapolis and past the
Capitol Building, continuing to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 10655 Haverstick Road, in Carmel (Lafayette Diocese)
1 p.m. - Parking lot rally (broadcast LIVE by Catholic Radio Indy at 89.1 FM, by phone at (641) 741-2361, and live-streamed at www.catholicradioindy.org.)
PLEASE NOTE: THIS CHANGE WILL NOT AFFECT THE SOLEMN OBSERVANCE CATHOLIC MASS TO BE HELD AT ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST AT 10:30AM ON FRIDAY.
Please bring diapers of any size to donate.
Jan. 30 Terre Haute solemn observance
In solemn observance of the
Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, all are invited to join in a peaceful, prayerful and pro-life gathering in front of the Vigo County Court House, located at 3rd Street and Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute, from 2-3 p.m. on Jan. 30. Signs will be provided. Parking may be available behind the Vigo County Court House. For more information, call Tom McBroom at 812-841-0060. †
