Denver Catholic

4 DECEMBER 24, 2016-JANUARY 27, 2017 | DENVER CATHOLIC Around the Archdiocese SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017 WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES Celebrate the Joy of Life Register online at bohgala.org Gala Beacon 2017 Hope of Gala Beacon 2016 Hope of MARISOL SERVICES 4:00 pm Private Mass Celebrant: Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L. Bishop Machebeuf High School - School Gymnasium 458 Uinta Way, Denver, CO 80230 Gala Event After Mass, proceed to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum 7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230 Less than 1/2 mile from Bishop Machebeuf 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm | e Marketplace Enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while roaming the Marketplace 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | e Gala & Live Auction Dinner and Program Young Professional Lounge Lounge returns this year for attendees 21 - 30 years old. Experience the same compelling evening from the Mezzanine in a cool, fun lounge furnished by American Furniture Warehouse while enjoying a hip, buet-style menu. Chris Stefanick, Abby Johnson to headline Jan. 14 march BY DENVER CATHOLIC STAFF E very pro-life Coloradan is invited to gather the second week of January at the State Capitol to "be counted" and "show with overwhelming numbers" that this state is pro-life, says event headliner Chris Stefanick, founder of Real Life Catholic. The annual March for Life is set for Jan. 14, 2017, on the steps of the state capitol. Various Masses will be held around downtown Denver before the March. The march marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion across the United States, and it roughly coincides with the national March for Life that is held each year on Jan. 22 in Wash- ington, D.C. In an interview with Denver Cath- olic, Stefanik encouraged all pro-life Coloradans to come out in big numbers for the January life event: "All politics, like all religion, happens locally. This is where we experience our life … that is why we can't a‹ ord not to be counted in our home city." Former Planned Parenthood employee-turned pro-life advocate Abby Johnson is also slated for the Jan. 14 march in Denver. The author of Unplanned, the best-selling book that chronicles John- son's exit from the abortion industry, told Denver Catholic that events such as the March for Life are critical for the cause of life: "It's always import- ant for like-minded individuals to come together to support one another. It is easy for pro-lifers to feel alone in this movement, particularly in states that are typically pro-abortion." She said her talk will encourage all pro-lifers to "participate in all forms of prolife activism, [such as] helping to support pregnancy resource centers, working on pro-life legislation and peaceful activism outside local abor- tion facilities." "It is our job," she added, "not to simply make abortion illegal, but to make it unthinkable." Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will preside at the Respect Life Mass at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and lead the rally on the steps of the state capitol at 1 p.m. Since abortion was legalized in 1973, an estimated 59 million babies have died in this country because of abortion. In the United States, 1.45 abortions are performed per minute, 87 each hour and 2.092 abortions per day, according to numberofabortions.com. Alexa Forster, Respect Life pro- gram manager for Catholic Charities of Denver, told Denver Catholic that it's "imperative that we publically show our love and support for all human life. As Catholics, we belong to the Universal Church and we must gather in unity and peace to show Denver that we stand against the prevailing evil of abortion." Carmen Elena Villa contributed to this report. Calling Pro-life Colorado: stand up and 'be counted' See page 5 for full schedule of events. i

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