UPDATED - 1/23/2021: Updated Information has been integrated below.
With various impacts to community events related to our current pandemic, we wanted to share some additional details regarding the various March for Life events that were planned locally and nationally.
See the sections below for more details on various events:
JANUARY 20: DAY OF PRAYER
There will be an additional Rosary Prayer service held at Planned Parenthood at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, January 20th.
JANUARY 22: DAY OF PRAYER
This is a solemn and sad day in our nation’s history. On this day in 1973, abortion was legalized in the United States and since that time at least 62 million babies have been aborted. All Knights are called to take some time in prayer and silent reflection on this day to pray for an end to this terrible practice.
Updated Info:
Paul Simoneau shared the following info. Friday, January 22 is the 48th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. As such, we are blessed that six of our diocesan priests (maybe more) will be leading us in praying the Rosary at the top of each of the hours beginning at 10:00 am up to and including 1:00 pm in front of Planned Parenthood Clinic (see attached map diagram and peace statement).
10:00 am Fr. Sullivan (Immaculate Conception) and Fr. Marcin Gladysz (Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus)
11:00 am Fr. Hernandez (All Saints)
12 noon Fr. McNeeley and Fr. Hendershott (Holy Ghost)
1:00 pm Fr. Orr (St. Mary’s – Athens)
So there are four opportunities on Friday to come and to pray a Rosary led by one or more of our priests (10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm). There is possibly another priest who might also be joining during this timeframe. What a difference it makes when our priests are present!
COVID Safety: Our intent of having four different times for praying the Rosary is to help keep from having too large of a crowd so as to be able to adequately socially distance from each other. Please be courteous to others and wear your masks even though we’re outside and socially distanced from each other.
Precaution – Police Presence: Our presence has been and always will be a peaceful, law-abiding and prayerful presence. But as times have grown tense nationally, we’ve taken the added precaution of requesting the presence of two Knoxville Police Officers to be present during the four periods of prayer time. We’ve been in touch with Captain Coker and Lt. Cash, the East District Patrol Commander and Assistant Patrol Commander for that area, and they will also have their Beat Officer check on us periodically as well (Capt. Coker and Lt. Cash were great to work with during our past Fall 40 Days for Life campaign).
Location Safety: As an added measure of safety, we also ask that we keep to the far sidewalk on Washington Ave (see map diagram pasted below as well as attached). I don’t know if there will be any pro-abortion protesters, but even with a police presence, is prudent to keep to the far sidewalk — our prayers are just as good 25 feet away. We must not even give an appearance or impression of pushing limits.
Peaceful Presence: Also, I would ask that no political attire be worn — our presence is always meant to be a prayerful and peaceful presence and to be “disarming” in every respect so it can never be said that we were anything but prayerful. We have a great reputation with KPD and I shared our peace statement and ask all our participants to sign. I told Capt. Coker that we want to insure we don’t have an agitator showing up and acting as if they are one of us when in fact they are there to make it look like we are antagonizers, which we of course are not. We’ve never had any problems or safety incidents on any of our prior 40 Days for Life events, but we must always be vigilant.
Recent Supreme Court Ruling: Below is some “good news” from the USCCB Pro-Life Chairman, Archbishop Naumann regarding the Supreme Courts decision on RU-486. Thank Our Lord for this good news.
JANUARY 24: MARCH FOR LIFE IN KNOXVILLE
The 2021 March for Life in Knoxville will be held as planned. Now more than ever, it is important to take a stand for LIFE. The abortion industry continues to be open for business and the attacks on unborn children will be even greater with the new president and his administration. Our nation, our state and our community need our prayers and our action for LIFE. The March is a safe, family-friendly event, and with no pre-March assembly this year, distance can be maintained between groups or families.
For updates, please check: www.proLIFEknox.org or the TN Right to Life, Knox County Facebook page.
Event Details:
JANUARY 29: MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON D.C. (Updated)
Traditionally, a national campaign is held annually providing a March for Life under the directive of the 40 Days for Life initiative in our country's capitol, Washington, D.C. Due to various circumstances this year, the Pro-Life March will not be an "in-person" march. Anyone who has already made a reservation at the Hilton Crystal City under the Knights of Columbus block should contact the Hilton and cancel your reservations.
In place of the normal march, there will be other virtual events taking place for people to participate in. Drew Dillingham, manager of Life Programs, at Knights of Columbus Supreme shared the following info below along with a list of these nation-wide virtual activities that councils and individual members can participate in:
Virtual March for Life Events
Councils can earn two program credits towards the Columbian Award through the March for Life program by organizing 25 participants in any of the events listed below (or similar state/local events). One program credit is earned for less than 25 participants (members and non-members). Councils can measure participation by hosting a virtual watch party and counting participants (for example) or by promoting an event and asking members to inform the council of their individual/family’s participation.
To receive program credit, please submit your council’s participation through the online Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784) (after the event) and the online Columbian Award Application (#SP-7) (by June 30).
For more information and guidance on how to promote and run your own virtual event, please review the Remote Programming Supplement resource.
Capitol Hill 101 Training
Access: Click Here
Thurs. Jan. 28th at 9:00am EST, 12:00pm EST, and 5:00pm EST.
This one-hour online training session will give participants the opportunity to learn how to make their voices heard by elected officials.
Virtual March for Life
Access: Click Here
Fri. Jan. 29th at 11:00am to 12:00pm ET: Pre-rally show and Matthew West concert
12:00pm-1:00pm ET: March and Rally coverage
A full guide to the virtual broadcast and schedule can be found here.
Virtual March for Life Rose Dinner (Ticket costs $25)
Access: Click Here
Fri. Jan. 29th at 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST.
Virtual Prayer Events (Novena for Life)
Councils can earn 1 program credit towards the Columbian Award through the Novena for Life program by organizing any amount of council participation in any of the following prayer events (or similar state/local events). Councils can measure participation by hosting a virtual prayer event and counting participants (for example) or by asking members to inform the council of their individual/family participation.
Virtual National Prayer Vigil
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Access: Click Here
Thurs., Jan. 28th at 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm EST and will include a Rosary, Mass, and Holy Hour.
Fri., Jan. 29th at 8:00 am - 9:00 am EST will include the Closing Mass. Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori is the celebrant and homilist for this Mass.
Reminder: New Pro-Life Merchandise is Available. Place yard-signs, flags, or banners outside your home or council location to promote the pro-life cause. Items can be purchased at knightsgear.com.
JANUARY 30: MARCH FOR LIFE PILGRIMAGE
This pilgrimage is being organized by Diocese of Knoxville and is limited to 100 people. It is taking place at the National Memorial for the Unborn in Chattanooga, TN. Interested participants must sign up on line at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pilgrimage-for-life-tickets-132313361827
A flyer is attached below. For additional information you may contact Brittany Garcia at 865-776-9635.
