Longtime pro-life advocates Gary and Diane Spurgeon of Epiphany Parish in Normal are shown at March for Life Chicago on Jan. 11. Several events in the Diocese of Peoria this month will witness to the sanctity of human life as the 47th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions that legalized abortion approach. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

With walks for life in Pontiac and Chicago last Saturday, respect life advocates in central Illinois have started to witness to the sanctity of human life as the 47th anniversary of Supreme Court decisions that legalized abortion approach. In the United States, Jan. 22 is designated as a “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.”

“Christ Our Hope: In Every Season of Life” is the theme chosen by the U.S. bishops for this year’s prayerful observance of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton.

In response to “The Real Presence,” the 19th Festival Letter published by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, parish respect life representatives in the Diocese of Peoria have been asked to work with their pastors to plan a Holy Hour of Reparation on Jan. 22.

Bishop Jenky will celebrate a Mass for the Unborn on Friday, Jan. 24, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 607 N.E. Madison Ave., in Peoria. Everyone is invited to the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, and the Office of Catholic Schools is working with the diocese’s Respect Life Ministry to include as many students as possible.

People from around the diocese will also travel to Washington, D.C., for the national March for Life, which is planned for Jan. 24. The theme for that event is “Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.”

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE MARCH, RALLY IS JAN. 21 IN PEORIA

Rebekah Hagan

Central Illinois Right to Life will hold its annual Sanctity of Human Life Rally on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Riverside Community Church, 207 N.E. Monroe St., in Peoria. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a prayer march from the church to the Federal Courthouse at Main and Monroe.

When they return to Riverside, rally participants will hear from Rebekah Hagan, who saved her baby from a medical abortion. During her first year in college, she began the process when she was 7 weeks pregnant but was able to reverse the abortion with help she found on the internet. Now 20, she offers her story of hope and redemption across the country.

The 7 p.m. rally will also include prayer, special music, and updates on pro-life efforts in central Illinois. Refreshments will be provided.

BLOOMINGTON MEMORIAL SERVICE AT OLD COURTHOUSE ON JAN. 22

Unborn victims of abortion will be remembered in prayer at a memorial service on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on the west steps of the old McLean County Courthouse, Center and Jefferson, in Bloomington. Pastor Robert Smart of Christ Church PCA in Normal will be the speaker for the noon event, which is sponsored by McLean County Right to Life.

CANDLELIGHT PRAYER SERVICE AT LASALLE PARISH JAN. 22

St. Hyacinth Parish in LaSalle will have a Candlelight Prayer Service for the Unborn on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. A guest speaker will share the story of her abortion and talk about her journey to healing, through the grace of God.

St. Hyacinth is located at 927 10th St.

QUAD CITIES PRO-LIFE MASS PLANNED FOR JAN. 22

Christ the King Chapel at St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St. in Davenport, Iowa, will host the monthly Quad Cities inter-parish pro-life Mass on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The liturgy will begin at 9:15 p.m.

INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE SCHEDULED JAN. 26 IN GALESBURG

An interdenominational prayer service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 26, at First Church of the Open Bible, 521 W. Losey St., in Galesburg. It will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The speakers will be Bonnie Ericson and her daughter, Autumn Cantarini, who will talk about “How Future Generations are Impacted by Abortion.” There will also be a youth presentation.

A free-will offering will be accepted to benefit the local Women’s Pregnancy Center, and refreshments will be served.

The prayer service is sponsored by Knox County Right to Life. For more information, call Pat C. at (309) 343-2852.

JOIN ‘9 DAYS FOR LIFE’ NOVENA STARTING JAN. 21

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited Catholics throughout the nation to take part in “9 Days for Life,” a multi-faceted novena for the respect and protection of human life.

Each day from Tuesday, Jan. 21, to Wednesday, Jan. 29, a different intention is featured, accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions, and related information.

The program is an opportunity to examine the abortion experience, identify ways the loss has impacted you past and present, and helps to acknowledge any unresolved feelings that many individuals struggle with after abortion.

The novena prayers can be delivered daily by email, text, or via an app. Registration information is found online at 9daysforlife.com.