DIOCESE—October is Respect Life Month and parishes around the diocese will be holding prayer sessions and public witnesses, including Life Chains.

 

Due to COVID-19, the Life Chain has two official dates, according to the lifechain.org website.

 

The Life Chain is a North American effort with thousands of cities in the U.S. and Canada participating. It is a peaceful, prayerful witness to our belief in the sanctity of all human life. 

 

Those gathered will pray for the millions of victims of abortion and all women in unplanned pregnancies, that they receive the good help that they need. They will also pray for all public officials, and for a deeper respect for the ill, the handicapped and the aged. 

 

Participants need not address anyone, just stand holding a sign with a message of their choosing. 

 

In the Rockford Diocese, many parishes will be participating on Oct. 4, and information for some of them is listed here.

 

The second date will be Nov. 1. Check with your parish or lifechain.org to be sure which date has been selected for your parish. 

 

As an outdoor event, local Life Chain committees are taking appropriate precautions to ensure safety. The national group recommends standing 20 feet apart, as has been done since 1987. 

 

Respect Life Month activities have also been planned around the diocese.

 

Aurora

Aurora area: Oct. 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Life Chain on East New York St. and Oakhurst in Aurora. Participants are encouraged to arrive early.

Holy Angels: Knights of Columbus Council 4849 will be participating in the Aurora Life Chain Oct. 4.

St. Rita of Cascia: There will be a prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 27.

 

Batavia

Holy Cross: Oct. 23, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., peaceful prayers outside Planned Parenthood in Aurora. At-home vigils through the night-time hours on this day allow parishioners to choose a 20-minute time slot to pray one Rosary from your home. Sign ups for both the on-site and night-time vigils are available through the parish website.

Parishioners will also take part in the Aurora area Life Chain Oct. 4.

 

Belvidere

St. James: Nov. 1, 2-3:30 p.m. Downtown Belvidere on the State Street Bridge. Participants will be asked to stand 20 feet apart from each other.

 

Dixon

All parishes: Oct. 4, 2-3 p.m., John Dixon Park, West Morgan Street and North Galena Avenue. Meet for prayer at park shelter at 1:45 p.m. Info: Margaret Brechon, 815-288-1156

 

Elburn

St. Gall: Rosary for Life 1:30 p.m., Life Chain 2-3 p.m. Along Rte 47. All parishes are welcome to come and join them. Bring chairs if needed. Masks must be worn for praying the Rosary

 

Elgin

St. Thomas More: 40 Days for Life through Nov. 1. Parishioners are praying and fasting to end abortion in the 40 Days for Life campaign. Parishioners may also peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside at 3055 E. New York Ave., Aurora, across the street from Planned Parenthood. St. Thomas More will participate in this year’s vigil on Oct. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

Rock Falls, Sterling

St. Mary and Sacred Heart: Life Chain Oct. 4, 12:45-2 p.m. Meet at the intersection of Locust and Sixth Streets by St. Mary School in Sterling. 

 

Richmond

St. Joseph: Oct. 4, 2-3 p.m. Along U.S. Route 12. Meet at the front steps of the church starting at 1:30 p.m. to sign in, go over basic rules, and select a sign. Participants will take their places at proper social distance along U.S. Rt. 12 near Illinois Rt. 173 at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m. participants will return to the front of the church. 

 

Rockford

Holy Family: Oct. 4, 2–3 p.m. City-wide life chain at Holy Family Parish, Alpine and Highcrest Roads. Posters will be available. Social distancing and masks required.

St. Bernadette: Rally for Life, 1-2 p.m., Sinnissippi Music Shell at Sinnissippi Park. This year’s life rally is taking the place of the Life Chain. Clergy will lead participants in prayer. Local civic leaders, politicians and clergy will lay out a plan to protect all human life with a special love for the poor, vulnerable and children in the womb. Father John McNamara from St. Bridget Parish in Loves Park will conclude the rally with remarks and prayer. Info: Pete Scordato,  815-601-7383; Kevin Rilott, 815-494-0333

 

St Charles 

St. John Neumann: Oct. 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Meet in front of the church at 2900 E. Main St. Signs will be provided.

 

West Dundee 

St. Catherine of Siena: Oct. 4, 1-2 p.m. Gather at 12:45 p.m. in front of church and school, Illinois Rts. 72 and 31. 

 

Dubuque, Iowa

Life Chain: Oct. 4, 2-3 p.m. Along Highway 20 at Bluff Street. Area-wide event. Signs will be provided.