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MCCL holds an annual rally on Jan. 22 to commemorate the Supreme Court's decision in 1973 that legalized abortion.

Paynesville students pose by the state capitol in St. Paul during the pro-life rally.

The Paynesville Area MCCL, including members of the St. Louis Catholic Church youth group, took part in the rally and march to show their support to legislative representatives for reversing this decision and enacting new legislation to stop the killing of unborn babies.

The rally started with an ecumenical prayer service at St. Paul's Cathedral, and the crowd - estimated around 5,000 people - then marched to the state capitol, where they listened to a number of legislators and new MCCL executive director Scott Fischbach of Paynesville.

Inside the capitol, the Paynesville Area MCCL met with Senator Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville) and Representative Doug Stang (R-Cold Spring).

Paynesville Area MCCL held its annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 19, at Crystal Hills Assembly. Scott Fischbach, a Paynesville native who took over as executive director of the state organization last year, was the keynote speaker at the banquet.

A representative for Rep. Mark Kennedy (R-Watertown) attended, as did Sen. Fischbach. Mayor Jeff Thompson was the master of ceremonies, and Rev. Lonnie Gleitz, Father Richard Leisen, and Jan Binsfeld as Althea the Angel led parts of the program.

Youth from the Paynesville Evangelical Free Church, Eden Valley Assumption Church, Crystal Hills Assembly, and St. Louis Catholic Church helped serve the meal.