Hundreds of Students Gather for 2016 Rally for Life!
On Thursday, October 20th, students from 12 Catholic High Schools in the Diocese of Cleveland gathered to celebrate mass and life in downtown Cleveland. This annual event always begins with mass at St. John Cathedral and then proceeds with a police escorted march from the cathedral to Public Square.
At this year's mass, Fr. Andy Turner asked students to be "champions for life" so that Cleveland can truly be a city that takes care of all its people. He mentioned that so often when you are a champion for your faith, it seems like a contradiction. But Jesus championed those contradictions and we must do so as well.
After the mass, students left St. John Cathedral and marched North on East 9th Street and turned West on Lakeside Avenue, accompanied with the Cleveland Central Catholic drum line and cheering along the way. Several business people stopped and took pictures as the group made their way past Cleveland City Hall and the Justice Center before congregating at the newly renovated Public Square.
While at Public Square, the group cheered loudly and often as each school was recognized for being there and they heard talks on several life issues. Student speakers gave witness to abortion, euthanasia, police shootings, migration, and capital punishment.
A student also led a prayer for all those who have made the decision to have an abortion.
The over 500 students roared their approval when asked if they loved life. Schools in attendance were St. Joseph Academy, VASJ, St. Ignatius, Padua Franciscan, Lake Catholic, Benedictine, Holy Name, Beaumont, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Elyria Catholic, Trinity and Cleveland Central Catholic.
CSPJ is hosting a meeting in January at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and a major summit in the Spring this school year.
