Life Chain gives peaceful witness against abortion
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Groups of concerned Catholics around the diocese joined hands with other pro-life individuals Oct. 3 to stand up for the value of life at all its stages. Life Chain, the silent witness that takes place annually throughout the nation on Respect Life Sunday, provided an opportunity for participants to stand in defense of all human life.
Ocean County’s Life Chain attracted a small but ecumenically diverse group from several churches in the area. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting; St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and St. John Parish, Lakehurst, were among the parishes represented. Participants stood along Route 70 in Whiting for an hour, praying and holding placards with pro-life messages as passing motorist beeped their horns in solidarity. Rev. Owen Alston, pastor of Harmony Church, Lakehurst, has prayerfully concluded the Manchester Life Chain for the past 4 years.
“It’s important we stay connected,” Marie Sherry, Life Chain coordinator for Ocean County, said of the multi-faith gathering.
Hubert Mador, organizer of the Monmouth County Life Chain and parishioner of St. Veronica Parish, Howell, sent flyers inviting participants to profess their love of life along busy Route 9. Roughly 60 people turned out, including pastor Father H. Brendan Williams.
This 20th annual event for the parish “attracted two types of car horns,” Mador admitted, “but more were positive.”
The group held signs provided by the Life Chain National Office and stood for about 90 minutes, then adjourned to the parish cafeteria for fellowship and prayer.
Mercer County’s Life Chain stretched over a half-mile along Route 33 in Hamilton Square near St. Gregory the Great Parish and not far from a Planned Parenthood facility.
Participants prayed and held pro-life placards aloft toward the flow of traffic on the busy highway.
Organizer Bob Pawson, national coordinator of Pro-Life Educators and Students, reported, “Most public reaction was favorable [with] gentle honking of automobile horns, thumbs up, shouts of agreement, smiles.”
The 90-minute peaceful stance for life concluded with group prayer.
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Groups of concerned Catholics around the diocese joined hands with other pro-life individuals Oct. 3 to stand up for the value of life at all its stages. Life Chain, the silent witness that takes place annually throughout the nation on Respect Life Sunday, provided an opportunity for participants to stand in defense of all human life.
Ocean County’s Life Chain attracted a small but ecumenically diverse group from several churches in the area. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting; St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and St. John Parish, Lakehurst, were among the parishes represented. Participants stood along Route 70 in Whiting for an hour, praying and holding placards with pro-life messages as passing motorist beeped their horns in solidarity. Rev. Owen Alston, pastor of Harmony Church, Lakehurst, has prayerfully concluded the Manchester Life Chain for the past 4 years.
“It’s important we stay connected,” Marie Sherry, Life Chain coordinator for Ocean County, said of the multi-faith gathering.
Hubert Mador, organizer of the Monmouth County Life Chain and parishioner of St. Veronica Parish, Howell, sent flyers inviting participants to profess their love of life along busy Route 9. Roughly 60 people turned out, including pastor Father H. Brendan Williams.
This 20th annual event for the parish “attracted two types of car horns,” Mador admitted, “but more were positive.”
The group held signs provided by the Life Chain National Office and stood for about 90 minutes, then adjourned to the parish cafeteria for fellowship and prayer.
Mercer County’s Life Chain stretched over a half-mile along Route 33 in Hamilton Square near St. Gregory the Great Parish and not far from a Planned Parenthood facility.
Participants prayed and held pro-life placards aloft toward the flow of traffic on the busy highway.
Organizer Bob Pawson, national coordinator of Pro-Life Educators and Students, reported, “Most public reaction was favorable [with] gentle honking of automobile horns, thumbs up, shouts of agreement, smiles.”
The 90-minute peaceful stance for life concluded with group prayer.