Mary Kate Metrvier, a sophomore at Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, cheers a speaker at the annual March for Life in Topeka. Many Catholic schools throughout the state sent students to the rally, held Jan. 22.

The March for Life, commemorating the 37th anniversary of the Roe V. Wade decision that legalized abortion, passes in front of the state capitol in Topeka on Jan. 22. Because the capitol is undergoing renovations, the rally was held at the supreme court.

Many people came from around the state, bringing their children to the March for Life, which was preceded by a Catholic Mass at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Around 1,600 people attended the Mass.

Topeka March for Life draws 2,500

By Paula Glover
TOPEKA – More than 800 enthusiastic young people from Catholic Schools were the highlight of the annual March of for Life in Topeka on Jan. 22. Because the number of people attending the Mass preceding the march had outgrown the Mater Dei – Assumption Church, the Mass was held at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Following the Mass where around 1,600 were in attendance, marchers assembled for the walk to the Kansas Supreme Court building, where the rally was held, with around 2,500 on the march, led by Knights of Columbus from around the state.
Father Jarett Konrade, vocation director for the Diocese of Salina, met with 45 college students from seven different colleges during a retreat the previous evening.
“It is wonderful to see college students making sacrifices to be here,” Father Konrade said. “It is invigorating and renewing. This is one of the most important causes they can be a part of.”
Father Konrad’s father, Reg Konrade, director of the Diocesan Family Life office and member of St. Andrews parish in Abilene, said he has come to the marches for more than 10 years, because it is an important part of the pro-life movement.
Ron and LaVonna Brown, from Delphos, were also on hand for the march. “There is strength in unity and marching forward together to make our voice heard,” LaVonna said. The couple was most interested in encouraging pastors and church leaders to speak out against abortion. “This is the time to ‘be not afraid’,” she said.
Kathy Martin, an elected representative to the State Board of Education and a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Clay Center, said that she was there to “stand up for children all the children of Kansas, and this includes children who are not born yet.” She added that she was pro-life before her election to the board, and fully intended to continue as a pro-life advocate.
Robbie Kramer of Herington, wife of Deacon Dick Kramer, said she believes that people need to be awakened to the truth of abortion, even if it means using graphic signs. Graphic signs, showing the baby following an abortion, are not used at the March for Life, but she believes they have a place, in showing people the truth of abortion. “We need an awakening,” she said. “We need to for people to awaken compassion in their hearts, even if it shocks you into the reality of what abortion really is.”
Mary Kate Metivier, a sophomore from Immaculate High School in Leavenworth, attended the march with her school.
“I know that as soon as the baby is conceived it is a life,” she said. “I’ve been to other youth events, and I really wanted to come to the march,” added, in between cheering the speakers.
David Gittrich, state development director for Kansans for Life said he’s been involved with the pro-life movement since 1980. He said, while the numbers at the Topeka March for Life have waxed and waned, the numbers were increasing, primarily due to the young people who attend with their schools.
“These young people know that abortion is wrong, no matter what the government says,” he commented following the march. “They can see how abortion has affected their friends. Young people are really ‘getting it’.”

Appeared in the The Register, newspaper for the Diocese of Salina.