All are invited to participate in the ninth annual March for Life, which will begin at noon, Monday, January 23 at Defiance County Courthouse. The March is being sponsored by Mother Teresa Respect for Life. The purpose of the March for Life is to walk and stand up for unborn children who cannot speak for themselves. The local march will be united with all marches for life in our country.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will start at 9 am for life at St John's Catholic Church with Father John Stites of Defiance as the celebrant. Throughout the day there will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament ending with Benediction with Deacon Nick Varano officiating at 4:45 pm. Father Stephen Stanbery of St Peter Catholic Church, Archbold will offer prayer at the start of the March. A police escort will lead the March from the courthouse to the Monument of the Unborn on Jackson Avenue. Rick Small of Clear Channel Communications will host the March and, lead a prayer for life at the Monument of the Unborn. Peter Range, director of Office for Life and Justice of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo will be speaking of the urgency that is for all of us to now fight for life in our schools, work places, and communities. Carol Kurivial with her daughter Kristen of Luminous Ministries from Bryan will be sharing a story of a cousin who chose life with a pro life song. Kim Brown from Defiance will be speaking of how God carries us from fear and darkness to peace and light with His tender warmth no matter what the situation. The students of St Mary's Catholic School, Edgerton will share their reflection and a prayer to end abortion after visiting the Capital Care abortion center in Toledo. Chris Bercaw, of Paulding, will share his experience of being stranded on the turnpike for 30 hours in a snowstorm when coming back from the March for Life in Washington DC in 2016. He will also share where you can make a difference. Jim Zipfel, who will share his musical talent for the ninth year, will be singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "God Bless America". Father Stanbery will share some pro life remarks and end with prayer. Hot chocolate will be offered in the church basement.