Local events planned for Respect Life month
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
As part of Respect Life Sunday Oct. 4, members of parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton will stand alongside people of other faith backgrounds as a united voice against abortion. They will be among thousands nationwide to line the streets in support of the unborn for the annual Life Chain.
Life Chain, a national pro-life demonstration that began in 1987, gathers people in communities around the United States and Canada to make a peaceful public statement against abortion. Participants stand along roadways holding official Life Chain signs with slogans such as “Pray to End Abortion” and “Adoption: The Loving Option.” In 2008, Life Chain gatherings were held in over 1,600 locations nationwide.
In the Trenton Diocese, local events are scheduled to take place this year in Mercer, Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
“The main benefit of the Life Chain is to increase awareness on Respect Life issues,” said Hubert Mador, who along with wife Joan is co-chairperson of the Respect Life committee at St. Veronica Parish, Howell. The parish, which has a very active Respect Life group, will hold its 19th annual Life Chain along Route 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Mador said that the event has been an integral part of the parish’s pro-life efforts.
The Mercer Life Chain, which was not held for many years until being resurrected in 2008, saw more than 150 people turn out last year representing roughly a dozen area congregations of different denominations, according to coordinator Bob Pawson. This year, Pawson said they hope to have twice as many participants in their chain along Route 33 in Hamilton, across from St. Gregory the Great Church.
“Everybody was enthusiastic and they said they can’t wait to do it again this year,” said Pawson, national coordinator of Pro-Life Educators and Students.
He added that while there were some negative comments from passers by, the response of the local community to the Life Chain was overall very positive, as they received many “thumbs up, friendly beeps and waves” from passing cars.
Pawson said the event also drew many young people last year, including a large number of high school and college students as well as young families. He explained that Life Chain is attractive to them and other pro-life supporters because it is a forum for them to express their personal views on the abortion issue.
“Given recent political events which have highlighted abortion and pro-life issues, a lot of folks may be showing up this year because it gives them a public platform to make a statement,” Pawson said.
Eleen Spirko, chairperson of the Respect Life committee in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, said their parish’s annual Life Chain averages roughly 50 to 75 participants each year from several shore area parishes in Ocean County. The parish has been organizing the event for more than 10 years, Spirko said.
This year, the Ocean County Life Chain will be held at 2 p.m. on Route 70 near Tobias St. in Manchester. For more information, contact Marie Sherry at 732-350-5474.
All events will be held rain or shine and signs will be provided. For a complete listing of Life Chains scheduled nationwide and contact information, visit www.lifechain.net. For more information on the Mercer County Life Chain, visit www.mercerlifechain.blogspot.com.
Additional events
St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, will cap off Respect Life Sunday with a prayer service. A “Holy Hour for Life” will be held in St. Charles Church at 7:30 p.m. to pray for respect for all human life in the world.
St. Barnabas Parish in Bayville will be holding an Adoption Expo Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Fr. Brennan Hall. This forum will offer the community an opportunity to meet and become aware of licensed adoption organizations, legal counsel and advocacy groups throughout the state of New Jersey. There will be refreshments and door prizes. For more information, call St. Barnabas Respect Life Ministry at 732-269-4808 ext. 306.
Parish communities in the diocese will also be holding various activities in conjunction with the annual 40 Days for Life, an ongoing event taking place from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1. The 40 Days for Life campaign, which began as a grassroots movement and grew into a national pro-life effort, uses a three-point program of prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach over a 40-day period to draw attention to the consequences of abortion.
In addition to private prayer and fasting, individuals can participate in the campaign through peaceful vigils being organized outside facilities in the area that provide abortion services. For a partial listing of 40 Days for Life activities and contact information, visit www.respectlifetoday.com.
Ocean County Right to Life will also sponsor an event entitled “Truth About Choice,” a health conference to be held Oct. 10 in Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River. The event will feature a panel of speakers who will discuss the physical, emotional and spiritual trauma associated with abortion.
Speakers will include Dr. George Isajiw, former president of the Catholic Medical Association; licensed psychologist Adriane Gullotta-Gsell; Karyn Fusco, local campaign director of 40 Days for Life; and Pastor Thomas Hoffman of the Church of Grace and Peace.
The conference will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, followed by a continental breakfast. The panel discussion, including opportunities for audience questions, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon.
Participants must register by Oct. 3. The cost is $5 for adults and free for students. To register, call 732-714-7428 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and leave a message or email [email protected].
The Diocese of Metuchen will be hosting the annual Critical Life Issues Conference Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Speakers this year include Marie Smith, of Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues and wife of New Jersey congressman Chris Smith; Steven Mosher, president of Population Research Institute; Mark W. LeChevallier, director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship; and Mary-Louis Kurey, director of the Office of Respect for Life, Archdiocese of Chicago.
Among the topics discussed will be the global struggle for a culture of life; the myth of overpopulation; toxins, the environment and the child in the womb, and the seamless garment revealed. General admission is $25, which includes handouts, exhibits and lunch. For more information call 732-562-1990, ext. 1629 or 1543.
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Events
As part of Respect Life Sunday Oct. 4, members of parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton will stand alongside people of other faith backgrounds as a united voice against abortion. They will be among thousands nationwide to line the streets in support of the unborn for the annual Life Chain.
Life Chain, a national pro-life demonstration that began in 1987, gathers people in communities around the United States and Canada to make a peaceful public statement against abortion. Participants stand along roadways holding official Life Chain signs with slogans such as “Pray to End Abortion” and “Adoption: The Loving Option.” In 2008, Life Chain gatherings were held in over 1,600 locations nationwide.
In the Trenton Diocese, local events are scheduled to take place this year in Mercer, Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
“The main benefit of the Life Chain is to increase awareness on Respect Life issues,” said Hubert Mador, who along with wife Joan is co-chairperson of the Respect Life committee at St. Veronica Parish, Howell. The parish, which has a very active Respect Life group, will hold its 19th annual Life Chain along Route 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Mador said that the event has been an integral part of the parish’s pro-life efforts.
The Mercer Life Chain, which was not held for many years until being resurrected in 2008, saw more than 150 people turn out last year representing roughly a dozen area congregations of different denominations, according to coordinator Bob Pawson. This year, Pawson said they hope to have twice as many participants in their chain along Route 33 in Hamilton, across from St. Gregory the Great Church.
“Everybody was enthusiastic and they said they can’t wait to do it again this year,” said Pawson, national coordinator of Pro-Life Educators and Students.
He added that while there were some negative comments from passers by, the response of the local community to the Life Chain was overall very positive, as they received many “thumbs up, friendly beeps and waves” from passing cars.
Pawson said the event also drew many young people last year, including a large number of high school and college students as well as young families. He explained that Life Chain is attractive to them and other pro-life supporters because it is a forum for them to express their personal views on the abortion issue.
“Given recent political events which have highlighted abortion and pro-life issues, a lot of folks may be showing up this year because it gives them a public platform to make a statement,” Pawson said.
Eleen Spirko, chairperson of the Respect Life committee in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, said their parish’s annual Life Chain averages roughly 50 to 75 participants each year from several shore area parishes in Ocean County. The parish has been organizing the event for more than 10 years, Spirko said.
This year, the Ocean County Life Chain will be held at 2 p.m. on Route 70 near Tobias St. in Manchester. For more information, contact Marie Sherry at 732-350-5474.
All events will be held rain or shine and signs will be provided. For a complete listing of Life Chains scheduled nationwide and contact information, visit www.lifechain.net. For more information on the Mercer County Life Chain, visit www.mercerlifechain.blogspot.com.
Additional events
St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, will cap off Respect Life Sunday with a prayer service. A “Holy Hour for Life” will be held in St. Charles Church at 7:30 p.m. to pray for respect for all human life in the world.
St. Barnabas Parish in Bayville will be holding an Adoption Expo Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Fr. Brennan Hall. This forum will offer the community an opportunity to meet and become aware of licensed adoption organizations, legal counsel and advocacy groups throughout the state of New Jersey. There will be refreshments and door prizes. For more information, call St. Barnabas Respect Life Ministry at 732-269-4808 ext. 306.
Parish communities in the diocese will also be holding various activities in conjunction with the annual 40 Days for Life, an ongoing event taking place from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1. The 40 Days for Life campaign, which began as a grassroots movement and grew into a national pro-life effort, uses a three-point program of prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach over a 40-day period to draw attention to the consequences of abortion.
In addition to private prayer and fasting, individuals can participate in the campaign through peaceful vigils being organized outside facilities in the area that provide abortion services. For a partial listing of 40 Days for Life activities and contact information, visit www.respectlifetoday.com.
Ocean County Right to Life will also sponsor an event entitled “Truth About Choice,” a health conference to be held Oct. 10 in Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River. The event will feature a panel of speakers who will discuss the physical, emotional and spiritual trauma associated with abortion.
Speakers will include Dr. George Isajiw, former president of the Catholic Medical Association; licensed psychologist Adriane Gullotta-Gsell; Karyn Fusco, local campaign director of 40 Days for Life; and Pastor Thomas Hoffman of the Church of Grace and Peace.
The conference will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, followed by a continental breakfast. The panel discussion, including opportunities for audience questions, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon.
Participants must register by Oct. 3. The cost is $5 for adults and free for students. To register, call 732-714-7428 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and leave a message or email [email protected].
The Diocese of Metuchen will be hosting the annual Critical Life Issues Conference Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Speakers this year include Marie Smith, of Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues and wife of New Jersey congressman Chris Smith; Steven Mosher, president of Population Research Institute; Mark W. LeChevallier, director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship; and Mary-Louis Kurey, director of the Office of Respect for Life, Archdiocese of Chicago.
Among the topics discussed will be the global struggle for a culture of life; the myth of overpopulation; toxins, the environment and the child in the womb, and the seamless garment revealed. General admission is $25, which includes handouts, exhibits and lunch. For more information call 732-562-1990, ext. 1629 or 1543.
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