For at least 30 years, the University has chartered buses for students to join the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This winter — with the pandemic preventing travel and the march going virtual — UD students instead organized a campus prayer service Jan. 29 for both in-person and online attendees.
“If we can’t go to the march, we’ll bring the spirit of the march to UD,” said Caleb Stalder, a junior mechanical engineering major and president of Flyers for Life, the campus pro-life group. It is among the largest clubs in Campus Ministry’s Center for Social Concern, with 350 members.
“If we can’t go to the march, we’ll bring the spirit of the march to UD.”
The service featured speakers Father Ted Cassidy, S.M. ’60, and Noelle Collis-DeVito ’04 from the respect life ministries of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Students then led the praying of the rosary.
Nick Cardilino ’89, center director, said Campus Ministry is helping students like Stalder adapt their calling to today’s climate. For example, the faithful citizenship series allowed students to participate on their own schedules. REAL Dayton connected students with the city through virtual presentations from community leaders. And Mary Richter Niebler ’98 facilitated an online winter breakout to El Salvador, with partners offering virtual tours.
Stalder said he hoped the prayer service motivated attendees to pray, volunteer or donate to support the women and children who are the focus of their ministry.