Respect Life Sunday Mass, Life Chain events set for Oct. 3

People give witness to the dignity of life along North Meridian Street in Indianapolis during the national LifeChain event on Oct. 7, 2019. (Criterion file photo by Natalie Hoefer)

Criterion staff report

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson will celebrate the archdiocesan annual Respect Life Sunday Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, at 1 p.m. on Oct. 3.

During the Mass, the archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity will present the Archbishop O’Meara Respect Life Award and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Award.

The Archbishop O’Meara Respect Life Award honors an adult or married couple who demonstrates leadership in promoting the dignity and sanctity of human life in the parish community and in the archdiocese.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Award honors a high school student who demonstrates leadership in promoting the dignity and sanctity of human life in the parish community, school community and in the archdiocese.

Life Chain events will also take place throughout central and southern Indiana on Oct. 3.

Life Chain events are peaceful and prayerful public witnesses of individuals standing for 60-90 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that human life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death.

The following Life Chain events in central and southern Indiana are listed in alphabetical order by location:

• Bloomington: 2-3:30 p.m., neighborhood parking and signs available at 16 locations along E. Third Street from College Mall Road west to College Avenue, then south on College Avenue to Planned Parenthood. Information: Carole Canfield, 812-322-5114.

• Brazil: 2-3 p.m., Highway 40 at Alabama Street. Information: Jeff Etling, 812-230-6365.

• Brookville: 2-3 p.m., Main Street at Courthouse. Information: Jerry Mersch, 513-702-4949.

• Columbus: 2-3 p.m., Second Street at Washington Street. Information: Bartholomew County Right to Life: 812-350-2731.

• Greencastle Area Life Chain: 2:30-3:30 p.m., intersection of Washington Street and College Avenue. Information: Mary Howard, 260-417-9194.

• Greensburg: 2-3:30 p.m., Lincoln Street starting at Arby’s. Information: Patricia Louagie, 812-614-2528.

• Central Indiana (Indianapolis): 2:30-3:30 p.m., Meridian Street from Michigan Street to 38th Street. Parking is available at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., or Knights of Columbus Mater Dei Council 437, 1305 N. Delaware St. Short-sleeve and long-sleeve T-shirts available on-site, see design, sizes and prices at centralindianalifechain.org.

• Lawrenceburg: 2-3 p.m., U.S. 50 between Walnut and Front streets. Information: Duane Meyer, 812-537-4853.

• Richmond: 2-3 p.m., S. A Street at S. 16th Street. Information: Debbie Sams, 765-969-0254.

• Spencer County: 2:30-3:30 CT, intersection of highways 66 and 161. Information: Pastor Walter Phillips, 812-686-8000.

• Terre Haute Area Life Chain: 2-3:30 p.m., 3rd Street at Wabash Avenue. Information: Contact Tom McBroom, 812-841-0060.
 

(For more information on how parishes, schools, families, ministries and individuals can share the Gospel of Life during Respect Life Month and throughout the year, go to www.respectlife.org/October.) †