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HomeLocalEvents‘Bring Your Joy’ to historic Celebrate Life Rally and March Jan. 15

‘Bring Your Joy’ to historic Celebrate Life Rally and March Jan. 15

By Respect Life Denver

Thousands of people are expected to gather, unified in their mission, on the West steps of the Colorado Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 15, to witness to and celebrate life.

Families, seniors, church groups and young people from Pueblo to Fort Collins will gather to applaud rousing speakers, sing to uplifting music and march together around downtown Denver during the annual Celebrate Life Rally and March.

“I love when the crowd sings along with the music with tears in their eyes,” said Lynn Grandon, program director of Respect Life Denver, which runs the annual rally and march. “They applaud and encourage the speakers and roar when the march officially begins. I love the excitement and pure joy when everyone is marching, dancing and singing.”

This year’s peaceful pro-life gathering promises the same joy-filled and celebratory experience with a new historic dimension—following the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Dec. 1, 2021 of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case regarding abortion. Pro-life advocates are hoping for a ruling, sometime in mid-2022, that could undo the court’s Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

“This is the time in our history for people of faith to rally here in Colorado and show they want to be heard and their presence acknowledged, especially where there are those who purport that our state is fully in favor of ‘abortion on demand, and without apology,’” said Grandon. “A strong showing of joyful, peaceful, gracious crowds stands in stark contrast with the anger and objectionable behavior of the women’s march and some pro-abortion advocates.”

Grandon added that this is a historic time in society and an opportunity to educate the public on the need to honor and protect all of life from conception to natural death.

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This year’s theme is “Honoring Courageous Mothers” and begins at 11:30 a.m. with a celebration of Mass by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of the Archdiocese of Denver, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St. in Denver.

Pre-printed “Life” signs with the Colorado flag image will be handed out near the state Capitol. The rally begins at 1 p.m. on the West steps of the Capitol building, 200 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, before marching around Civic Center Park at 2 p.m. The emcee will be Dan Caplis, local radio host, attorney and pro-life advocate. The keynote speakers are Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver, and Donald Sweeting, president of Colorado Christian University in Lakewood. Crowds can sing along with music performed by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary choir.

Children are welcome to the event that will also highlight winners of the Respect Life Denver student essay competition.

The beloved McGarrity family will also attend the rally to share an update on their family, including four children with Down syndrome, Grandon said. Representatives of the Knights of Columbus will describe their latest ultrasound initiative.

Find the details at RespectLifeDenver.org. Buses may be reserved through Respect Life Denver’s partner, Charter Up. Visit the website or email life@ccdenver.org.

Grandon added, “Check weather forecasts, bundle up and bring your joy!”

Celebrate Life March and Rally
Saturday, Jan. 15
11:30 a.m. Mass with Archbishop Aquila at the Cathedral Basilica
1 p.m. Rally and March on the west steps of the capitol
More info: respectlifedenver.org

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