As the anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, local groups are preparing for national and local pro-life events.

More than 15 parish and youth groups are traveling to the March for Life Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C. Groups originate from Bellevue, Delphos, Paulding, Oregon, Toledo, Fostoria, Tiffin, Gibsonburg, Millersville, Findlay, Port Clinton, Lima, Putnam County and Bowling Green.

Pro-life marchers arrive at Defiance St. John in January 2011. (Chronicle file photo)

U.S. Rep. Robert Latta, of the 5th Ohio District, is providing hot chocolate and cookies to marchers in Washington.

“It’s so important that people come down to Washington because we’re talking about probably 52 million abortions that have been performed since Roe v. Wade,” says Rep. Latta, a parishioner of Bowling Green St. Thomas More. “When you look at that horrible slaughter of human life, people have to be reminded.”

The response to abortion can’t be, “if I turn my head, it will go away, or if I turn my head, I don’t have to worry about it,” he adds.

Rep. Latta is hosting a reception Jan. 23 in the Longworth House Office Building in Room 1300 from 1 to 5 p.m. He is to be on hand to speak with constituents and discuss the status of pro-life legislation.

A number of groups still have room for those who would like to travel to the nation’s capital for the march. For a complete listing with contact and travel details, visit www.catholicchronicle.org.

A number of events are also to be held locally for those not able to travel to Washington, D.C.

Jan Kahle, respect life coordinator for Catholic Charities of the

Diocese of Toledo, says local events have grown in number in recent years. Events are to be held this year in Defiance, Findlay, Lima, Maumee, Norwalk and Ottawa with marches, speakers and prayer services.

“We’re seeing people who could not make it all the way to D.C.— whether it’s time away from home or job or whatever it might be — but did choose to take time out of the day to come,” Ms. Kahle says.

Defiance

Ed Sitter, executive director of Foundation for Life, and Andrew Lorenz, district director for the office of Rep. Latta, are among speakers at a march for life Jan. 23 in Defiance organized by the Mother Teresa Respect for Life group.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with Mass at St. John the Evangelist followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, according to Deb Snyder, co-coordinator of the respect life group. A march begins at noon at the Defiance County Courthouse and proceeds to the Monument for the Unborn. Benediction concludes the events, and hot chocolate is to be offered afterward in the parish basement.

Findlay

Stations of the Cross for Victims of Abortion is Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Findlay St. Michael’s downtown church.

Participants use booklets with traditional reflections and prayers related to abortion, says Pat Stang, event coordinator.

St. Michael parishioners also participate in an ecumenical pro-life ad campaign in the Findlay Courier. Last year, Mrs. Stang collected more than 2,000 signatures from 32 area churches for a two-page ad, which includes a statement about abortion and resources for alternatives to abortion.

Lima

A pro-life event Jan. 22 begins at 2 p.m. at the Heartbeat of Lima’s satellite office at 226 S. Elizabeth St. The event is to include a speaker, prayer, short march and refreshments, says Patti Kennedy, co-director of Heartbeat and respect life representative for Lima St. Charles Borromeo.

Maumee

Maumee St. Joseph Knights of Columbus are organizing a prayer service and march for life at 2 p.m. Jan. 22.

Participants are to meet in the church for a short prayer service. The fourth-degree Knights are to lead a procession to the St. Joseph Cemetery to the tomb of the unborn as participants pray the rosary. Those who wish to remain in the church may do so for a prayer service there.

The event concludes with refreshments in the St. Joseph community center.

Norwalk

Huron County Right to Life hosts a march Jan. 22 beginning at the Norwalk St. Paul convocation center.

Participants meet at 1:30 p.m. and the march begins at 2 p.m., proceeding to the Huron County Courthouse where the Pledge of Allegiance is recited and a prayer offered, says John Hug, president of Huron County Right to Life. Participants return to the convocation center for refreshments.

Ottawa

Two events are to be held in Ottawa to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Rep. Latta and Ms. Kahle are to speak at 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Putnam County Educational Service Center. Rep. Latta is to give an update on pro-life legislation in Congress and Ms. Kahle is to speak on the importance of conscience-rights protection and the abortion non-discrimination act.

On Jan. 22, a march begins at the Putnam County Courthouse at 2 p.m. and proceeds to Our Lord’s Park for prayer. Marchers are invited to the American Legion for refreshments afterward.

Toledo

A prayer vigil is to be held Jan. 19 in front of the Toledo Center for Choice.

The vigil begins with Mass at 6 p.m. at Toledo Rosary Cathedral followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Participants are invited to remain in prayer at the cathedral or drive to the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. From the church, participants walk to the abortion clinic and pray two rosaries in front of the clinic.

The event concludes with benediction and refreshments at the cathedral.