Article by Phoenix writer Colleen Bayley ’23:
Abortion is becoming more common and normalized every year, with 1 out of 4 pregnancies ending in the murder of an unborn fetus. Access to abortion clinics are one of the most contested topics currently. The Catholic high schools of Long Island acted on this by protesting for justice for the unborn this past Friday.
On January 21, 2022, high school students of Kellenberg Memorial High School were invited to attend the Diocese of Rockville Centre March for Life Youth Event located at St. Agnes Cathedral.
Students departed from Kellenberg at 8:30-9:00 Friday morning and were transported to St. Agnes to begin the day.
The ceremony began with a speech presented by a Franciscan Brother who discussed the true meaning to being Pro-Life. This was followed by a beautiful Mass accompanied by Bishop John Barres and KMHS alum Fr. John Crozier.
Madalyn Tomasello, who will be a senior next year, said, “As a freshman, I always dreamed of going to the March for Life event with Kellenberg. St. Agnes held a beautiful mass. It was truly an amazing experience getting to stand up for life with Kellenberg.”
After mass, students from Kellenberg and several other Long Island Catholic high schools, such as Saint Anthony’s, Sacred Heart Academy, and Chaminade, gathered on the lawn next to the Cathedral for a decade of the Rosary. They then marched around Rockville Centre as they carried Pro-Life signs with pride.
Christian Morality teacher Bro. Michael Gillen, S.M., said, “We were missionaries of life as we marched through Rockville Centre.”
Students from freshmen to seniors were either selected to attend or attended through one of various clubs: Faustino Club, Adele Club, Aquinas League, or Gregorian Consortium.
Students participated in the Diocese of Rockville Centre March for Life Youth Event in lieu of the national March in order to reduce the risk to students in the Covid-19 environment.