"Every Life: Cherished, Chosen, Sent" is the theme of the 2018-19 Respect Life Program of resources made available to parishes through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. October is observed as Respect Life Month.

On Sunday, Oct. 7, motorists and passersby will find men, women and children lining major intersections in their communities to form a Life Chain. This is the 31st year for the prayerful, peaceful witness, which is intended as a reminder of the sanctity and dignity of human life.

October is Respect Life Month and Oct. 7 is observed as Respect Life Sunday.

While Life Chain participants are discouraged from engaging in debates and political activity, they often hold signs that encourage people to “Pray to End Abortion,” let them know that “Jesus Forgives and Heals,” and offer the truth that “Abortion Hurts Women” and “Abortion Kills Children.”

Signs are provided in most locations.

Across the Diocese of Peoria, Life Chains will be held on Oct. 7 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the following places, unless otherwise noted:

Champaign: Kirby Avenue at Hessel Park.

Galesburg: Knox County Right to Life is sponsoring the Life Chain at Fremont and Henderson streets from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Signs may be picked up at 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot on the north side of West Fremont Street. A rally will follow at 3 p.m. at Colonial Baptist Church, 1232 W. Fremont.

Macomb: Hosted by McDonough County Right to Life in Chandler Park, Highways 136 and 67, between Lafayette and Randolph, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Mendota: The Life Chain will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at Route 34 and Highway 251.

Normal: Several hundred people are expected to line both sides of College Avenue, starting at the entrance to David Anderson Park and continuing east, including in front of Epiphany Church, 1006 E. College Ave.

Peoria: The Life Chain will be held on the sidewalks along University Street, stretching from Whole Woman’s Health of Peoria, 7405 N. University, where abortions are performed, to the Metro Centre, 4700 N. University. Signs will be distributed at the corner of University and Northmoor, starting at 2 p.m. Church groups are encouraged to sign up early in order to fill blocks along the route. Call Dan Smith at (309) 691-3611.

Quad Cities: Participants will gather on Middle Road at Happy Joe Drive, in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Details for other communities were still being finalized at press time. For updates on locations, visit lifechain.net.

DINNER, FESTIVAL SET

In addition to the Life Chain, Knox County Right to Life is planning a Pro-Life Pastors’ Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 27. It will be held at 7 p.m. in the Corpus Christi Parish Center, 273 S. Prairie St., in Galesburg.

Organizers said the dinner is an opportunity to honor and thank area pastors and leaders for promoting the pro-life message and assisting in projects throughout the year.

Those who attend will also hear a brief presentation from Angela Minter, the speaker for the Festival of Life on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Pastors and a guest may come for free. There is a suggested donation of $10 for all others to help cover the cost of the evening. Reservations are required by Oct. 12 and may be made by calling Pat at (309) 343-2852 or sending an email to conklinr@grics.net.

Angela Minter

The Festival of Life will take place at Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy, in Galesburg, on Oct. 28. The event begins with a presentation by students from the Galesburg High School Pro-Life Club at 6:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker, Angela Minter, will talk at 7 p.m.

Minter is executive director of Sisters for Life, a sidewalk counseling ministry based in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also a founding board member of LoveX2, a new national ministry dedicated to ending abortion by changing hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

Refreshments will be served.

There is no charge for admission, but a free-will offering will be accepted.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A story on the Respect Life Dinner to take place in Peoria on Oct. 7 and 40 Days for Life campaigns under way in Champaign and Peoria appeared in the Sept. 16 issue of The Catholic Post.