Maryland Knights Defend Life!

The Maryland State Pro-Life Activities Program helps our members and their families to grow in our faith, to serve our church, and to support the Church in her commitment to the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.

Monthly State Pro-Life Mass Info (click here)

Click here for the January Issue of Pro-Life News!

Articles include:

State Council Donates 3rd Ultrasound Machine

39th Annual March for Life - January 23rd in DC

Cemetary of the Innocents Update

State Pro-Life Masses

Prayer Vigil in Defense of Marriage

39th Annual March for Life on January 23rd

A Pro-Life Kickoff Rally, the 20th annual hosted by Father Rosensteel Council #2169 in Silver Spring, will be held on Sunday, January 15th, beginning at 5:30 P.M. Many clergy and lay dignitaries are expected. There will be a free spaghetti and meatball dinner, with internationally-renowned Tony Melendez providing entertainment. All are welcome. All is free.

On Sunday, January 22, the National Prayer Vigil for Life will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Over 20,000 pilgrims are expected to attend the opening Mass at 6:30 pm. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Following Mass, the Vigil will continue with the National Rosary for Life at 10 pm, then Night Prayer at 11 pm. Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York will offer the closing Mass on Monday at 7:30 am. Additional information can be found at www.nationalshrine.com.

For more information about the March, check www.marchforlife.org. An extensive listing of related prolife events is found at http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/complete-list-of-2012-us-march-for-life-events.

Equally important, keep in mind the Maryland March for Life, which will be held in Annapolis, on Monday, March 12, 2012. For the second year, the Knights of Columbus Color Corps has been invited to lead the March.

Third Ultrasound Machine Donated

In Essex Maryland on December 13th, the Maryland State Council happily presented a check for $26,000 to the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns (CPC) to cover the cost of a new ultrasound machine. CPC was opened on October 31, 1980, the first inner city CPC in the United States, for the purpose of providing women facing an unplanned pregnancy with a place to explore their options in a non-threatening, comfortable environment.

The new ultrasound machine will be used for clients at all three Baltimore CPC locations – Essex Center on Eastern Boulevard; St. Brigid’s Center in Canton; and St. Rita’s Center in Dundalk. The St Rita's Center Director is Cathy Johnson, daughter of Dundalk Council 2942 PGK Albert "Bud" Johnson. Dundalk PGK Joe Herman serves on their Advisory Board with many community leaders including MD State Delegates Pat McDonough and William Frank.

Cemetaries for the Innocents #198 Installed

On the 2nd of January, the Knights of Columbus and MDRTL installed the 1st Cemetery of the Innocents for 2012 at Immaculate Heart of Mary RCC in Lexington Park (St. Mary's County), and the 198th memorial since 2004. Today, there are 4 Cemetery of the Innocents standing in Maryland: St. John's in Hollywood (St. Mary's County), Holy Family in Mitchellville ( Prince George County), Immanuel Evangelical in Silver Spring (Montgomery County), and IHM in Lexington Park (St. Mary's County).

The next installation is scheduled for St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown (St. Mary's County), Saturday, January 14. If your church is interested in erecting a Cemetery of the Innocents, please give Jim a call at 301-342-5720 (W) or 240-577-2258 (Cell).

Your Donations are Saving Lives!

Statistics reveal that most women who consider abortion choose life after seeing an ultrasound image of their child. These families need your help!

The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council is teaming with local Knights on a major initiative to purchase ultrasound machines for the Crisis Pregnancy Centers. Each machine costs up to $50,000. The Supreme Council will cover half of this cost. The first machine purchased in Maryland under this program is already in place and saving lives!

Donations made payable to Sonogram Fund of SMC #1470 Charities, Inc., may be mailed to: Jim McFillin, Maryland State Council Pro-Life Team, 45483 Braway Street, Great Mills, MD 20634.

Defend Life!