Friday, 04 January 2013 09:06

By Bonnie Toombs
Where will you be on Jan. 22? Will you join your voice and presence with hundreds of others from the diocese? I invite you to join the diocesan pilgrimage to Topeka to stand for life!
The faithful of the diocese are invited to gather in Topeka in solidarity with hundreds of youth and their chaperones from the Diocese of Wichita who will be Marching for Life in Washington. D.C. You are invited to be that voice and presence for those who cannot speak for themselves.
The pilgrimage on Tuesday, Jan. 22, is a one-day trip open to all ages. Buses will leave at around 7 a.m. from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Church of the Magdalen parishes, both in Wichita, and arrive at the Ramada Inn in Topeka around 9:30 a.m. A bus from a destination in Southeast Kansas is also being scheduled. Wichita buses will return by about 7 p.m.
A buffet breakfast will be served upon arrival at the Ramada Inn, afterwhich there will be an adult breakout session, a teen/youth breakout session, an opportunity for confessions, and Mass at the Topeka Performing Arts Center celebrated by Bishop Michael O. Jackels and the other bishops of Kansas. After Mass, pilgrims will march to the Capitol steps to be prayerful witnesses reciting the Rosary for Life and to hear from several of our prolife legislators.
Toombs is director of the diocesan Respect Life and Social Justice Office.

Want to march on Topeka?
The cost of the pilgrimage is $35 per person and includes transportation by charter bus, a ticket for the Mass, and a buffet breakfast. Those who wish to provide their own transportation must nonetheless register and pay a $20 fee to cover lunch and facility charges. Those accompanying school classes or youth groups must be VIRTUS compliant. Registration forms are available online at www.respectlifesocialjustice.org. Call (316) 269-3935 for more information.