Life Chains will be formed in four sites around diocese
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
Members of the diocese hope their silent protest to protect the unborn will speak volumes.
As part of Respect Life Sunday Oct. 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m., the diocese has organized four Life Chains to be held at different sites. Participants from the diocese will join others in the United States and Canada in forming Life Chains for the 14th consecutive year, said Jennifer A. Ruggiero, director of the diocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities.
Ruggiero said there are two goals of Life Chains.
“One is that we make a public stand to show our opposition to abortion and other attacks on human life; that the pro-life community is able to come together in quiet prayer,” Ruggiero said. “The second is to minister to the participants of Life Chain.”
Respect Life Sunday is also an interfaith event and open to all ages, Ruggiero said.
The locations and organizers for each chain in the diocese: Green Street and Oak Tree Road, Iselin, contact Ken Blaha (732) 396-8478; South Main Street, Philipsburg, contact Arlene Lippincott (908) 213-0889; Veterans Memorial Drive, Somerville, contact Isidoro Garcia (732) 469-3397; Flemington Circle, Flemington, contact Bob Keeling (908) 236- 9648.
Bishop Emeritus Edward T. Hughes plans to attend the Life Chain in Flemington, Ruggiero said.
Ruggiero, who will attend one of the sites, suggested participants dress comfortably, bring a lawn chair and “just keep in mind it’s a prayerful hour and a half. It’s not meant to be confrontational. Just a public sign and maybe get people thinking.”
Blaha and Keeling, both members of the Knights of Columbus, are new Life Chain coordinators, Ruggiero said.
“It’s very much appreciated because it’s a lot for them (coordinators) to put it together,” Ruggiero said. “We also enjoy the participation and the leadership provided by the Knights of Columbus in this event.”
Last year, more than 1,000 Life Chains were held in the U.S. and Canada and more than 1,000 are hoped for in 2004, according to the Website of Life Chain, which is based in Yuba City, Calif.
For more information, call the diocesan Pro-Life Office at (732) 562-1990, extension 1629.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law