Prayers and Life Chains to mark Respect Life Sunday

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

Respect Life Mass The U.S. Bishops have declared October as Respect Life Month. Locally, parishes and groups are holding workshops, Masses and prayers for life. These include: What: The Diocesan Respect Life Mass When: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13 Where: St. Edward Parish, N2921 Hwy. 47, Mackville (About seven miles north of Appleton, from Hwys. 41/47) Who: Bp. David Zubik, celebrant. Fr. Charles Brooks, pastor, former Enduro for Life rider. Why: "This is a chance for us to come together and pray for life, from beginning to end." Tom Donovan, diocesan consultant for life. A reception will follow at St. Edward School.

Sunday Oct 1 is Respect Life Sunday, the start of Respect Life Month in all the Catholic dioceses of the United States. This annual awareness campaign was started by the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 1972 - the year abortion was legalized in the United States.

This year's theme is "Created, Loved, Redeemed by God: Priceless."

Respect Life Month
• Other Respect Life Month articles

To mark Respect Life Sunday, some of those who took part in the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil this spring will also take part in the first Life Chain held in Green Bay, from 2 to 3 p.m., on Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 1, at the corner of Webster Avenue and Mason Street by the Medical Arts Building.

The decision to form this Life Chain, said Dr. Amy Schueckler, a Green Bay OB-GYN, is a direct outgrowth of the 40 Days prayer vigil held at the same site.

Schueckler said organizers of the Milwaukee Life Chain, which has been happening for several years, advised local Life Chain organizers to keep it "simple." There will be no speeches or oral prayers.

Participants may stand, sit or walk during that hour. They may also carry "respect life" signs similar to those carried through the Prayer Vigil. The event will be conducted under the same rules that guided the 40 Days Vigil: Participants will remain quiet. No sign with graphic images will be allowed.

The Green Bay Life Chain will be one of many life chains across the United States, including 20 to 30 cities in Wisconsin, and Canada. Schueckler said the gathering is "an international hour of prayer and a peaceful, prayerful witness to the unborn."

Life Chains will also be held on Oct. 1 in

• Appleton: along Casaloma Drive from Wisconsin Ave. to College Ave, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and

• Wautoma: Hwy. 21 at Scott St., from 2 to 3 p.m.

Everyone is welcome at all three events.

Schueckler said about 300 of the 700 who took part in Green Bay's 40 Days for Life Vigil were notified of the life chain by e-mail and another 200 by phone. They were also invited to the Life Chain through word of mouth and notices in church bulletins.

According to Lori Koschnick, Newton, planner for the 40 Day Prayer Vigil, individuals have continued to pray in front of the Medical Arts Building since the vigil ended on June 18. Green Bay's vigil was the third such in the nation. Another is planned for Madison next spring, Koschnick reported.

Both women said the 40 Day vigil has opened new communication between vigil participants and Green Bay hospitals' board of directors, physicians and staff on "respect life" issues.

For more information on the Green Bay Life Chain, contact Schueckler at (920)435-4191 or amyr@new.rr.com. Information is also available on the internet at www.lifechain.net.