Respect Life Month: Every life is cherished

Published: September 28, 2018

En Español

The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month each October to proclaim the immeasurable value of every person from conception to natural death. Catholics in Arkansas take part in events throughout the month, including Life Chain and 40 Days for Life, to put their faith into prayer and action.

The 31st annual Life Chain Sunday will be held Oct. 7. It is always held on the first Sunday of October. Life Chain brings people together in a "peaceful and prayerful public witness" to form a line on sidewalks in cities across the United States and Canada.

Participants hold signs that say: "Pray to End Abortion" or "Adoption: The Loving Option" while they quietly pray together for up to 90 minutes as cars pass by. Several cities in Arkansas will host a Life Chain this year. Visit lifechain.net to find an alphabetical list by state to see if there will be a Life Chain in your area. Each event listed includes contact information to learn more.

The fall campaign of 40 Days for Life continues in Little Rock and Fayetteville through Nov. 4. In Little Rock, participants are invited to come and pray for an end to abortion from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily on the public sidewalk near #4 Office Park Drive, the location of Arkansas' only surgical abortion clinic.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will lead a Rosary for Life at 11 a.m., Friday Oct. 19 in front of the clinic. For more information or to volunteer, call Toni Blackwell at (501) 650-2993 or Tabitha Connolly at (501) 960-2194 or visit 40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/little-rock.

In Fayetteville, participants meet at the same time in the public right-of-way in front of the Planned Parenthood clinic at 3729 N. Crossover Rd. Bishop Taylor will lead the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 in Fayetteville as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign. To sign up for vigil hours, e-mail 40daysnwa@gmail.com or visit 40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/fayetteville.

In addition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) assists parishes, schools and other ministries in helping Catholics understand, value and become engaged with building a culture that cherishes every human life through its annual Respect Life Program, which is a year-round, nationwide effort that kicks off each year on Respect Life Sunday.

This year, that is Oct. 7. The theme for the 2018-19 Respect Life Program is "Every Life: Cherished, Chosen, Sent" and highlights the call to build a culture of life as missionary disciples. Download resources including posters, bulletin announcements, articles and more from the USCCB website. For more information, contact Catherine Phillips, director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 326.