More than 8,000 expected to attend Life is VERY Good event

New poll shows millennials are anti-abortion in much of their thinking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2019

FAIRFAX, Va.  –  More than 8,000 teenagers will flood into the EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Thursday, January 19th for the 10th annual Life is VERY Good Rally. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries sponsors the event, which attracts teens from across the country to prepare prayerfully for the March for Life.

The event is a prelude to the March for Life on Friday, January 20th.

Fifty-three dioceses and archdioceses are participating this year, including the Archdiocese of Sydney in Australia, bringing 110 participants to the event. In the U.S., 27 states are participating – with North Dakota traveling from the farthest.

Here are the details:

When:                                               Thursday, January 17, 7:30–10 p.m.

Where:                                             Eagle Bank Arena, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax

New polling released by Woman Trend, a division of the Polling Company, shows that 51% of millennials (18-34 years old) surveyed opposed Roe when they understood it allows for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, and 54% opposed abortion as a form of contraception or when a mother doesn’t like the sex of the baby.

Kevin Bohli, Executive Director of the Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries, reminds us that it’s the teens proclaiming that life is very good.  “You could come to an event to hear that life is very good, or you can pack yourself into an arena with 8,000 teenagers and experience that Life is VERY Good!” he said.

Elizabeth Ferguson, a freshman student at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, says she can’t wait to go this year. “Last year I attended Life is VERY Good for the first time. It was a great experience and it helped me to grow closer to God and my faith,” she said.

In a statement, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, said, in part, “I take this opportunity to thank all who travel from great distances to take part in public action on behalf of those who cannot speak out for themselves. Most especially, I thank our parishes for their participation and the hospitality they show to others throughout this week... Thank you for your faithful witness to the dignity and value of all human life, and please be assured of my prayers for you.”