Youth and adults from the Diocese of Evansville will be heading to Washington, D.C. in January 2012 to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves - the unborn and the vulnerable.
Our diocesan pilgrimage will focus on the Church’s undeniable call for the respect of all human life from conception to natural death. We invite you to join us.
This video requires Flash
Group leaders from parishes and schools are required to submit initial registration information online. This should be completed by November 22, 2011.
Registrations will not be formally accepted until you have mailed a hardcopy of each participant's completed registration, diocesan waiver forms, medical information and releases - along with full payment.
Youth participants (high school students) will need to complete the Youth Registration Form and Youth waiver forms/code of conduct. Adults acting as leaders or chaperones will need to complete the Youth Registration Form and the Adult waiver forms/code of conduct.
The deadline for submitting these forms is December 6, 2011.
(includes registration form, releases and code of conduct) Adult Waiver
(includes adult waiver and code of conduct)
If you are a young adult (college age and above) or adult and would like to attend the Diocesan Pilgrimage for Life 2012 please print, complete and mail (along with payment) to the address listed on the form.
(includes registration form, releases and code of conduct)
Individual Registrations from high school youth will not be accepted online.
We advise you to contact your parish to see if there is a group leader assigned.
If there is not a group leader from your parish we will assign you to a group. Please contact us directly at pfl@evdio.org prior to November 22, 2011.
Friday, January 20, 2012 – Participants may board the bus at the Catholic Center or at St. Ferdinand on this evening. All buses from the diocesan pilgrimage will attend the Mass for Life at St. Ferdinand with Bishop Charles C. Thompson at 8 p.m. (Eastern). Following Mass and a blessing, buses will depart and travel overnight to Washington, D.C.
Saturday, January 21, 2012 – The bus will stop to eat breakfast, then travel into D.C. and stop at an abortion clinic to pray. Participants will enjoy lunch and sightseeing on their own at Capitol Hill before being picked up to check-in at the Towne Place Suites in Springfield, VA. From the hotel we will be attending Mass and dinner with the diocesan group. We will head into D.C. for nighttime sightseeing and a special presentation in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – After a continental breakfast at the hotel, participants will be brought to the Holocaust Museum and can tour any additional museums on their own. The adult participants will then head straight to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to shop at the bookstore and tour the building before the Opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life.
Monday, January 23, 2012 – After a continental breakfast at the hotel, participants will attend Mass and then head to the March for Life. All diocesan buses will depart from D.C. and eat dinner together with a closing program before traveling to Ferdinand overnight.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – Buses will arrive at Ferdinand at approximately 7 a.m. (Eastern) and then head to Evansville.
Friday, January 20, 2012 – Participants will board buses in various locations or at St. Ferdinand on this evening. All buses from the diocesan pilgrimage will attend the Mass for Life at St. Ferdinand with Bishop Charles C. Thompson at 8 p.m. (Eastern). Following Mass and a blessing, buses will depart and travel overnight to Washington, D.C.
Saturday, January 21, 2012 – The buses will stop to eat breakfast, then travel into D.C. Participants will enjoy lunch and sightseeing on their own in the National Mall area before being picked up to check-in at the Towne Place Suites in Springfield, VA. From the hotel the diocesan group will be attending Mass and dinner together. We will head into D.C. for nighttime sightseeing and a special presentation in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – After a continental breakfast at the hotel, participants will be brought to the Holocaust Museum and can tour any additional museums on their own. The participants will have dinner before heading to the Life is Very Good Rally in Arlington, VA.
Monday, January 23, 2012 – After a continental breakfast at the hotel, participants will attend Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. From there we will head to the March for Life. All diocesan buses will depart from D.C. and eat dinner together with a closing program before traveling to Ferdinand overnight.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – Buses will arrive at Ferdinand at approximately 7 a.m. (Eastern) and then head to Evansville.
*Itinerary is subject to change
DO NOT OVER-PACK! It’s very simple: we’re taking a four-day pilgrimage.
Since we are driving overnight, we will arrive in Washington on Saturday morning wearing the clothes that we left Indiana in. For Sunday, you will need a comfortable set of clothes. On Monday, we will be outside much of the day attending the March and other activities, so we will need layers. And that night, we will leave Washington to head back to Indiana (you may want to have a set of clothes to change into for the ride back).
Wearing pajamas in public or on the bus is not permitted on the trip.
Bottom line: KEEP IT SIMPLE! There is not an unlimited amount of cargo space, and you do NOT want to drag around a lot of luggage! One small carry-on and one piece of luggage per person.
What to Bring:
- All adults (18 or older) and any youth who have their drivers’ license or a State ID card, should bring these with them. All other students should at least have their student ID or another valid photo ID.
- One small carry-on for the bus (such as a backpack for books, MP3 player, snacks, small blanket, etc…)
- One piece of luggage to be stored under the bus. You will not have access to this while traveling.
- Small pillow and flashlight for the bus
- Snacks/water bottle
- Comfortable clothing for bus rides and touring D.C.
- Clothes you can layer – especially for the March for Life. Weather is unpredictable!
- Bring a warm coat, gloves, scarf and hat
- Hand/feet warmers (found in sporting goods/camping sections)
- Comfortable tennis shoes for walking – waterproof in case of rain or snow
- Poncho or small umbrella in case of rain
- Any necessary personal items, shower items, etc...
- Rosary (they will be available if you do not have one)/Bible
- Camera
- Watch – A must have!
- $30 for meals – Youth are responsible for 2 lunches and snacks/drinks
- Additional spending money for sightseeing/gift shops
- iPods/MP3 players are allowed – with headphones only!
If you have questions or would like more information please contact the
Pilgrimage for Life coordinators -
Emily Snipes,
Family Life/Respect Life Coordinator @ (812) 423-5456
Steve Dabrowski,
Director, Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry @ (812) 424-5536
Or email us at pfl@evdio.org