Just as Catholic Times prepares to go to press, caravans of buses with over 340 young people and adults from the Springfield diocese are preparing to set out for Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life, on Friday, Jan. 26.

One caravan of two buses was to begin its journey at a vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Kyle Holtgrave, associate director of youth ministries in the Office for Catechesis, organized the trip, which includes adults and young people from Springfield, Morrisonville, Routt Catholic High School, Jacksonville and Pittsfield. Deacons David Erdmann, Greg Parquette and Patrick O'Toole are accompanying the group.

A second caravan of four buses, with 229 passengers, was organized by Jana Schulenburg, former head of youth ministries in the diocese, who stepped in to help when 25-year veteran March attendee and caravan organizer Becky Baurle was sidelined with health issues, and decided to pass on this year's march.

The second caravan has youth and adults from Maryville, Collinsville, Pocahontas, Charleston, Father McGivney High School, Jerseyville, Vandalia, Moweaqua, Nokomis, Shumway, St. Anthony High School in Effingham, Teutopolis, Dieterich and Island Grove. Fathers Dan Willenborg, Daren Zehnle, and Brian Alford are accompanying the caravan which left Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, for Washington, and returns Sunday morning.

"We are going to the Basilica (of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) for the National Vigil for Life Mass on Thursday evening," said Schulenburg. Cardinal Sean O'Malley was scheduled to be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass.

In past years, some participants from the diocese have expressed delight in spotting a former bishop (Archbishop George Lucas), a former pastor (Bishop Kevin Vann) or religious leader they have seen on television (Archbishop Timothy Dolan) at the Vigil Mass, or in the march to the Supreme Court steps.

Father Zehnle will celebrate Mass on Friday morning for members of that caravan at St. Peter Church in downtown Washington, before the group heads to the National Mall for the Rally and March.

Holtgrave is happy about the help and response he has received from Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) in helping him prepare for lobbying activities for his group to participate in while they are in Washington.

"Congressman Shimkus has arranged for our group to meet in the Capitol building itself, not just in a government office building somewhere, so we can talk about legislative issues that are pro-life," Holtgrave said. "We will be writing letters and delivering them in person to congressmen."

Holtgrave's group has a prayer service at their hotel planned for Friday evening. On Saturday morning Holtgrave "and perhaps some others in our group will join me in the first 5-K run, organized by Life Runners to be held in conjunction with the March. Bishop Paprocki is national chaplain for the group."

Later Saturday morning, Francis Cardinal George of Chicago will celebrate Mass at St. Peter Church for members of the Illinois delegation, which includes Rockford, Springfield and Chicago.

"We've been trying to work this out for a long time, to get all the Illinois bishops and delegations out there for the march together for Mass.," Holtgrave said.

Saturday is a free day for members of the second bus caravan, a day to explore the nation's capital. "But we'll be back at St. Peter's Church on Saturday for Mass so we can meet our Sunday obligation, before boarding the buses to return home," said Schulenburg.