September 15, 2023

Annual Respect Life Sunday Mass and Life Chain events are set for Oct. 1

Criterion staff report

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson will be the principal celebrant at the archdiocesan annual Respect Life Sunday Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, at 10 a.m. on Oct. 1.

During the Mass, the archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity will present its annual pro-life awards. This year’s recipients are Larry and Mary Dougherty, members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis, for the Archbishop O’Meara Respect Life Award, and Sara Cabera of St. Thomas More Parish in Mooresville for 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. 1. They 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., E. Third Street between College Mall Road and Walnut Street. Park at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 2222 E. Third St., in Bloomington. Pick up signs from individuals at street corners along E. Third Street. Information: Clinton Mahoney, 812-391-8914.
     
  • Brazil: 2-3 p.m., Highway 40 at Alabama Street.
     
  • Brookville: 2-3 p.m., Main Street at Courthouse. Information: Jerry Mersch, 513-702-4949.
     
  • Columbus: 2-3 p.m., Second Street in front of City Hall. Information: Bartholomew County Right to Life: 812-350-2731.
     
  • Connersville: 2-3 p.m., meet at 2235 Park Road in front of Showtime Cinema, pick up signs between 1-2 p.m. Information: Judy Sweney, 765-309-1218.
     
  • Greensburg: 1-2 p.m., Main Street, meet at the corner of Franklin and Main. Information: Patricia Louagie, 812-614-2528.
     
  • Lawrenceburg: 2-3 p.m., U.S. 50 between Walnut and Front streets. Information: Duane Meyer, 812-537-4853.
     
  • North Vernon: 2 p.m., line up along Main Street. Signs available at St. Mary Church. Information: Timothy O’Donnell, 317-372-0040.
     
  • Richmond: 2-3 p.m., S. A Street at S. 16th Street. Information: Debbie Sams, 765-969-0254.
     
  • Spencer County: 2:30-3:30 p.m. CT, intersection of highways 66 and 161. Information: Pastor Walter Phillips, 812-686-8000.

While there is no Life Chain event in Indianapolis, there will be a similar event supporting pro-life advocacy from 2-3 p.m. on Oct. 15 on West Street between W. Ohio and W. Washington streets. For more information, go to centralindianalifechain.org. †

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