Marching for Change: Squires Stand for Life

by John T. Uricheck ‘25

On the rainy Monday of Sept. 23, 2024, a bus full of students and faculty from Delone Catholic High School journeyed to Harrisburg to the Pennsylvania March for Life. Annually, in the capital city of Pennsylvania, Catholics from around the Commonwealth attend the event.  

At the March, passionate students, teachers, priests, and activists from around the state marched in front of Pennsylvania’s capitol building to encourage the politicians of Pennsylvania to make abortion illegal. Delone Catholic’s chaplain, Rev. Dwight Schlaline ‘00, had high praise for our students who marched with him, “What an awesome privilege!

The students are so full of energy and life. The students care about doing the right thing. They are the hope for the world. It was a privilege to watch them seize this day.”

This issue is such a major focus for Catholics. Preserving the lives of the unborn is crucial to upholding the dignity of human life. Timothy Martz ‘26 says, “I’ve been to PA marches and national marches several times in my life. They were always inspiring events that emphasize the value of life and the reality of abortion. I believe that the pro-life movement is critical in our time, and I did what I could to show my support for it.” Timothy is one of the 38 students that marched in Harrisburg. 

A Mass celebrated by the clergy from around the state, including Bishop Timothy C. Senior of the Diocese of Harrisburg and Archbishop Nelson Perez of the Archdiocese of Philidelphia, kicked off the day. Mary Martz P’12, P’14. P’17, P’19, P’22. P’26, P’27, a Sacred Studies teacher at Delone Catholic claims that the Mass before the March was something special, “Attending Mass together was amazing! There was standing room only at the morning Mass at the Cathedral. Being able to unite our prayers together and receive the Holy Eucharist before we went on the March was the perfect way to start the day.” 

Several notable speakers preached about the importance of banning the horrible practice of abortion, including Nelson Perez, the Archbishop of Philadelphia, and Jeanne Mancini, the President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. Mark Houck, co-founder of The Kings Men and successful pro-life activist, and Michael Geer, the President of the Pennsylvania Family Life Institute, also addressed the assembled crowd. 

Finally, carrying the school flag, encouraged by the speakers and with the Lord on their side, the DCHS contingent marched alongside many other passionate Catholics to the capitol, confident that their faith and passion could persuade elected officials to make the right choices. 

John T. Uricheck '25, a senior at Delone Catholic High School, is a journalism intern with the Advancement Department.