Even though they won’t say a word, people of faith throughout the Diocese of Peoria will call for an end to abortion next Sunday, Oct. 6, through a peaceful, prayerful pro-life witness known as Life Chain.

In most communities, men, women and children will come together at 2 p.m. to line the sidewalks of a major intersection in their community and hold signs reminding passersby that “Abortion Kills Children,” “Jesus Forgives and Heals” and “Abortion Hurts Women.” Other signs read “Adoption: The Loving Option,” “Lord, Forgive Us and Our Nation” and “Pray to End Abortion.”

The interdenominational effort took place in more than 1,700 locations in the United States and Canada in 2012. This is Life Chain’s 26th year and central Illinois communities that will participate on Oct. 6 (unless otherwise noted) include:

— Champaign: Kirby Avenue near Hessel Park, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Signs may be picked up at the park.

— Farmer City: Main Street at Route 54, from 2 to 3 p.m.

— Farmington: The alternate date of Sunday, Oct. 27, will be used in Farmington. People will line sidewalks at the intersection of Route 116 and Route 78 from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

— Galesburg: Knox County Right to Life will sponsor the Life Chain at the Public Square on Broad, Losey and Fremont streets, which will be held from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., rain or shine. Signs may be picked up at 1:30 p.m. Those who have difficulty standing are encouraged to bring a chair.
A rally will follow at 3 p.m. in Galesburg’s Public Square. The theme is “Saving Lives through 40 Days for Life” and the speakers will be Dick Conklin and Don and Pat Regnier, who are all active members of Knox County Right to Life.

— Macomb: Route 136 and Route 67, between Lafayette and Randolph at Chandler Park, from 2 to 3 p.m.

— Mendota: Route 34 at Highway 251, from 1 to 2 p.m.

— Normal: The Bloomington-Normal Life Chain will be on East College Avenue, from the entrance to David Anderson Park and continuing east on both sides of the street, from 2 to 3 p.m. Parking is available at Epiphany Church, 1000 E. College Ave. Signs will be provided.

— Peoria: The Heart of Illinois Life Chain will line University Street, from National Health Care Inc. at 7405 N. University, to the Metro Centre at 4700 N. University, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Signs will be available at University and Northmoor starting at 1:30 p.m. Those who cannot stand are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

— Quad Cities: People are invited to meet at the Women’s Choice Center, 2711 Happy Joe Drive in Bettendorf, Iowa, at 1:30 p.m. to pick up signs. The group will walk to the intersection of Middle Road and Happy Joe Drive to pray between 2 and 3 p.m.

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Abortion survivor will speak
at dinner, festival in Galesburg

GALESBURG — Knox County Right to Life will sponsor a Pro-Life Pastors’ Dinner and Festival of Life at the end of October. Both will take place in Galesburg and feature presentations by abortion survivor Melissa Ohden.

The dinner will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Corpus Christi’s McAteer Center, 273 S. Prairie St. A donation of $10 per person is suggested to cover the cost of dinner. For reservations, call Pat Conklin at (309) 343-2852.

The Festival of Life will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy St. A pro-life youth presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. and Ohden will speak at 7 p.m. Refreshments and fellowship will follow.

Ohden survived a saline infusion abortion in 1977 and was adopted by a loving family. Now married, she has a daughter named Olivia and is the founder and director of For Olivia’s Sake. The organization seeks to raise awareness of the intergenerational impact of abortion on men, women, children, families and communities.

In 2012, Ohden founded The Abortion Survivors Network, which has put her in touch with 130 other abortion survivors. The mission is to inform and educate the public by putting a face on the statistics of abortion survivors, and to give those survivors a voice and support.

In addition to speaking at the National Right to Life Convention, Ohden has told her story on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” and “Defending Life,” Fox News, Focus on the Family, and the Teresa Tomeo show. She has also been featured in the pro-life documentary “A Voice for Life.”

There is no admission charge for the Festival of Life, but a free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, contact Conklin at (309) 343-2852.