1) Student Respect Life Essay Contest. The Knights of Columbus sponsor this which is open to all NH students in Jr High (grades 6,7, 8), and Sr. High (grades 9,10,11,12). The KofC will select up to 6 students to receive an award of $100 each. Information on theme and due date deadline are available about Sept each year from the Knights of Columbus (see also Respect Life Home page, here). Entries are typically due around Dec 15 each year; Award decisions are made by early Feb each year, and the awards banquet is typically the 1st weekend of May. See any KofC member of the parish, or call the Respect Life Lead given on this website.
2) 40 Days For Life Prayer Vigil (semi annually) This event is peacefully praying at the abortion facility on Pennacook Street in Manchester NH. Formal organized scheduling is done for 40 days before Easter and before Christmas each year. The Manchester, NH effort information is given on the Respect Life homepage, and visit the web site at http://40daysforlife.com/browse-campaigns/ (Select, U.S, and NH for locations)
3) Knights Of Columbus Pro-Life Seminar. The KofC conduct an educational seminar in The Hall of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Manchester, NH about March each year. It starts with a light Luncheon at noon, then guest speaker, and brief reports from various Pro-life groups around the state, who also have information tables set up. It ends about 4pm. In the past, talks have been given by: The Bishop; the Lead of the Diocesan Pro-life office; various Clergy (e.g., State Chaplain, St. Anselm professor); Nellie Gray of National March for Life (now deceased); Folks who are the offspring of Rape, and many others. In 2014 the Speaker was Diane Hunt (RN,MS,FNP-BC) from the Humanae Vitae Family Care Center, Londonderry. Her topic was “Delivering the Culture of Life to Health care.” For 2015, the speaker was Darlene Pawlik, Chairperson of NHRTL, speaking on "Saving Lives Through Outreach." Contact Ron Distasio 595-7837; rddistasio@comcast.net . There are also a number of annual Respect Life activities commemorating the tragic Roe vs Wade Supreme Court Decision, Jan 22, 1973, allowing Abortion. As of 2017, over 60 Million babies have died that we know of in the U.S., and it continues at a rate of over 3000 a day. Many thousands of women have been physically and emotionally harmed, unable to have further children, and even killed thru legal abortion.
1) The Saturday Before / closest to Jan 22, there is a March for Life in Concord NH. (for 2016 it was Jan 16). This includes;
a. An ecumenical prayer service/blessing at the local town dump where aborted babies are dumped w/o acknowledgement. b. Mass at St. John’s Catholic Church, 72 S. Main St at 10am. c. Gather at the State House at 11:30 am to prepare to march. d. Walk and pray the rosary from the State house, past the Concord abortion facility to St. John’s Church Hall e. Refreshments & speakers at St. John’s Church Hall till about 4pm f. See www.nhrtl.org about December each year for details.
2) Washington DC March For Life, approx. Jan 21 and 22 each year. a. Bus reservations are needed about two months before the event. b. Buses leave a day or two before the Jan 22 March in Washington DC. c. See www.marchforlife.org for march history and detailed activities.
3)Adoration, Rosary and Day of Fasting at St Mark's Church for the Sins of our Nation against the Culture of Life. a. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament starting 7pm, Jan 21, thru 7pm Jan 22 each year (unless weekend). b. 24 hours of Fast on your own during that period. Give up what you are able, but it is suggested to abstain from solid food. c. Sign up sheets for Rosary/adoration thru the night at St Mark's church are available in early Jan each year.Or see contact tab for St. Mark respect life lead on this web site. d. Ends with Benediction 22 Jan at 7:00 pm. e. Complimentary Refreshments available afterwards in St. Mark’s Church Hall, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.