PRESQUE ISLE – The bells of St. Mary Catholic Church will ring out at noon today as part of a national public remembrance of the more than 48 million lives ended through surgical abortions since the procedure was legalized 35 years ago.

The bells will be rung 48 times in churches around the state as part of the “Bells for Babies” program, according to Johnnie Cancelarich, chairwoman of the local pro-life committee. Cancelarich encouraged people to pray today wherever they are for peace in individuals, families, communities and nations.