Friday, October 12, 2012

(97) Gallia County Ohio Participates in the National Life Chain With a Message in Silence and Prayer

AMDG

GALLIA COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE PARTICIPATES IN THE NATIONAL LIFE CHAIN

            On a windy Sunday afternoon over 200 Gallia County residents, representing many of the churches of Gallia County particularly Catholics and Evangelicals working together in an ecumenical effort, participated in a peaceful, prayerful, and silent demonstration for life from conception to natural death while praying for an end to America’s holocaust…….over 50 million babies aborted and deprived of their right to life since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision of 1973 legalizing abortion.  People of all ages, from toddlers to teens, and adults to senior citizens were silently holding pro-life signs along both sides of Eastern Avenue (Route 7) in front of the Ohio River Plaza (Peebles, Taco Bell, etc.).

         Passing cars got the message and some even participated with a beep or two of their horns in sympathy and approval.  The Knights of Columbus were present in full regalia, adding color to the event. 

The Life Chain in Gallipolis, sponsored by Right to Life of Gallia County, has become a tradition here in solidarity with thousands all over the country on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday of October.  The Life Chain is in its 25th year nationally.  The new Bishop of Steubenville, the Most Rev. Jeffry Monforton placed so much importance on the event that he requested that the Mass he was scheduled to say at the Diocesan Youth Rally be moved to later in the day so that he could personally participate in the Life Chain in Marietta.

Right to Life of Gallia County thanks all who sacrificed an hour of their time to participate in this public demonstration for life.

The participants were holding signs such as:  "Abortion Kills Children", "Adoption - the Loving Option", "Jesus Forgives & Heals", "Lord, Forgive Us and Our Nation", "Abortion Hurts Women", "El Aborto Mata Ninos", "Life - the first Inalienable Right", and "Pray to End Abortion".  On the back of each sign are prayers and meditations for the participant to read.  Signs and more detailed information with videos may be obtained by clicking on www.lifechain.net and/or www.nationallifechain.org along with how to organize and stage a life chain in your area. 

People in other parts of the Country spread out about 35 feet apart with location assignments predetermined, stretch out for miles along a busy boulevard.  Then after the life chain is over, they gather together in small clusters for a few minutes of group prayer in the spirit of 2Chronicles 7:14…..”And if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land”.
 
         Life Chain defines itself as a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans and Canadians standing for one hour along major roadways, praying for our nation and for an end to abortion.  It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death.

       Motives for the National Life Chain

1.      To both receive ministry and to minister to the public, aided by the Holy
       Spirit.

2.      To provide God a witness to anoint and use to save lives and change hearts
       in each local area.

3.      To join a national prayer chain that seeks God’s forgiveness and
       intervention.

4.     To better understand the impact abortion is having on our Country and why
      the Church must end it.

5.    To move the Church, under pastoral leadership, from the pews to the “city
     gates” and  the "marketplace”.

6.    To honor our youngest fellow citizens who, most often, have perished alone,
      within blocks of multiple church altars.

7.    To help build a resolute army of Christians who are pro-life in both word and
     deed.
























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