This year marks the 46th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.  A special Mass will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 4125 Union Road, Cheektowaga.  Bishop Richard J. Malone, bishop of Buffalo, will be the main celebrant and homilist.

During the Mass, Cheryl Calire, director of the diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities, will present the annual the 25th annual Pro-Vita Awards.  These awards are intended to recognize people who have labored tirelessly for the pro-life cause and to give them strength, encouragement, and support.  This year's recipients include:

• Maren Lelonek, coordinator of the Buffalo area St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Center
• Sarah Lindstrom,  Sidewalk Advocates for Life
• Father Steven Jekielek, Father Michael LaMarca and Father Dan Young, March for Life
• Suzanne Lazzara, field education, Christ the King Seminary
• Al Donius, religious education at Our Lady Help of Christians, Cheektowaga           

Catholics are also encouraged to participate in a solemn observance of the Roe v. Wade anniversary by placing a candle (electric, wax or battery-operated) in their window at sundown on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 22.  This gesture will serve as a reminder of the more than 50 million unborn babies who have been aborted since the 1973 Supreme Court decision.

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade also will be marked by a contingent of Catholics joining the Office of Pro-Life Activities on a pilgrimage for life to Washington, D.C.  The group will pray peacefully and publicly intercede on behalf of the unborn, their parents, families, communities, nation and its leaders.

Buses will depart for the March for Life from several locations on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 17, and will return to the Buffalo area on Friday, Jan. 18.  A Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. on Jan. 18 at the Washington Plaza Hotel followed by a breakfast and presentation from guest speaker Greg Schleppenbach, associate director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Bishop Malone will concelebrate Mass at 10 a.m. with other bishops from throughout the country who will gather at the youth Rally at the Verizon Center.

For more information about any of the events recognizing the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade case, contact the Office of Pro-Life Activities at 847-2205.