Jennifer Perez, left, and Deacon John Weber, of Defiance St. Mary, are two of the speakers during the Defiance March for Life Jan. 22. The march begins with Mass at Defiance St. John and continues with several speakers and stops throughout the day. (Photo courtesy of Mother Teresa Respect for Life)

DEFIANCE—The Mother Teresa Respect for Life group is sponsoring a pro-life march Jan. 22 in Defiance.

The day’s activities begin with Mass at 9 a.m. at Defiance St. John with Father Steve Stanbery, pastor of Holgate St. Mary and New Bavaria Sacred Heart, as celebrant. Following Mass and throughout the day is the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for mothers, babies, all involved in abortions, post-abortion parents, pro-lifers and those attending marches throughout the nation. Benediction concludes the day’s events at 3 p.m. with Deacon Dominick Varano.

The march itself begins at noon at the Defiance County Courthouse where Father Ed Schleter, pastor of Wauseon St. Caspar, starts with prayer. The Color 4 Tunes, featuring Eileen Kochensparger, Arlene Iler, Lynette Tom and Joan Held, are to sing “God Bless America” and State Rep. Lynn Wachtman is to speak.

A police escort helps the marchers move to the Eagles, where Jennifer Perez from Project Respect is to talk about building character through abstinence. Jeanne Karpanty, chairman of Mary Queen of LIFE (Life Is For Everyone) organization, is to talk about adoption.

The march ends at the Monument for the Unborn, where speakers include Deacon John Weber and Jude Snyder, a junior at Tinora High School, and Jim Zipfel and Olivia Pahalak are to sing songs for life.

The host of the march is Rick Small, director of operations for Clear Channel and host of a morning show on WDFM Mix 98.1.

Following the march, all are welcome to come to the St. John church basement for hot chocolate.