HUNTLEY—Traditionally at this time of year, the diocese along with a variety of schools and parishes would be preparing for a pilgrimage to the annual March for Life in Washington, Jan. 27-29.

 

But like most other large gatherings, the annual March is being overshadowed by the coronavirus and concerns for the health and safety of those who would participate. Even though the march will still take place, many dioceses are not sponsoring group travel, Rockford included.

 

However, for the past eight years, not only has Bishop David Malloy attended the march, he has celebrated Mass in the diocese before the pilgrims head to the nation’s capital to join others in the annual national witness for life.

 

Pilgrims may stay home, but the Mass will be celebrated.

 

“This will be the first year since I have been here (as bishop of the Rockford Diocese) that I was not planning to go to Washington with our young people and others to March for Life. This issue is so important and the spiritual practice of that annual Mass is so valuable that I wanted to try to keep it alive,” Bishop Malloy said.

 

With the coordination of the Life and Family Evangelization Office and Father Christopher DiTomo, pastor, along with his parish team at St. Mary Huntley, a Mass for Life will be celebrated in person and streamed to the public.

 

The Mass will be celebrated at the Huntley parish on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. According to Father DiTomo, under diocesan protocols during the current pandemic, the parish can accommodate a maximum of 300 persons. This allows for social distancing. 

 

Face masks and advance registration for the Mass are required. Those wanting to participate in the Mass in person should sign up online at https://www.stmaryhuntley.org/january-mass-sign-up/. For those wanting to participate online, they can also go to the parish website — https://www.stmaryhuntley.org — on the day of the Mass. 

 

With a new administration being sworn in on Jan. 20, the March for Life is scheduled a week later than usual. And according to Bishop Malloy, it is another reason to stand up and witness for life.

 

“We know that over 60 million of our brothers and sisters have not been born since the 1973 decision of Roe v Wade. That is the toll of abortion. President-elect Biden has signaled the desire of his administration to make a pro-abortion policy the law of the land. As Catholics, including those who have recently voted for candidates who expressed support for abortion, it is up to us to stand up for the right to life so that 60 million more do not perish,” Bishop Malloy said.