Annual Respect Life Sunday Mass, Life Chain events will take place on Oct. 5

Those taking part in the Life Chain event in Columbus pose for a photo on Oct. 6, 2024. (Submitted photo)

Criterion staff report

The archdiocesan annual Respect Life Sunday Mass will take place at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, at 10 a.m. on Oct. 5.

During the Mass, the archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity will present its annual pro-life awards. This year’s recipients are Annissa Kellum of St. Michael Parish in Bradford for the Archbishop O’Meara Respect Life Award, and Madilyn Wethington, a senior at Roncalli High School and member of St. Jude Parish, both in Indianapolis, 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. 5. They are peaceful 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 were reported to The Criterion:

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.

Bright: noon-1:30 p.m., in front of Gibson Cemetery, 23258 State Line Road, Lawrenceburg. Information: Duane Meyer, 812-290-5096.

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.

Greensburg: 2-3 p.m., on downtown square, park in lot at corner of Franklin and Main. Information: Patricia Louagie, 812-614-2528.

Indianapolis: 2:30-3:30 p.m., N. Meridian Street between 12th and 16th streets; tables with signs and prayer aids available along the four-blocks, go to centralindianalifechain.org for church assignments for each table location; parking available at Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, 1400 N. Meridian St.; T-shirts available for purchase. Information: Sharon Teal, 317-289-9019.

Lawrenceburg: 10:30-noon, U.S. 50 between Walnut and Front streets. Information: Duane Meyer, 812-290-5096.

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.

Shelbyville: 2:30-3:30 p.m., Highway 44 between Pike and Noble streets; signs available at northeast corner of  St. Joseph Church parking lot; parking also available in church lot. Information: Fran Chigi, 317-604-7526.

Spencer County: 2:30-3:30 p.m. CT, intersection of highways 66 and 161. Information: Pastor Walter Philips, 812-686-8000. †