Diocese of Gary

Every October, Catholics celebrate Respect Life Month, during which they are asked to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. A variety of pro-life activities are scheduled throughout the Diocese of Gary during Respect Life Month, starting this weekend, Oct. 3-4.

ROSES FOR LIFE
Parishes within the diocese, including St. Edward in Lowell, will be accepting donations for “Roses of Life” to support the mission of Lake County Right to Life in partnership with the Daughters of Isabella.

ANNUAL BABY DIAPER DRIVE
St. Patrick in Chesterton and St. Ann in Beverly Shores will once again hold their Annual Baby Diaper Drive. The Parishioners For Life group is collecting donations of baby diapers and wipes throughout the month of October. The group encourages participants to buy from a pro-life company such as EveryLife.com and place them in the playpen in the narthex. Donations will be distributed to moms in need through local Pregnancy Care Centers.

Clark Gloyeske, a parishioner at St. Patrick, said it always gives him great joy to deliver a carload of baby diapers and supplies to a local pregnancy resource center that then distributes them to moms in need.

He feels it is important that the community constantly be engaged in building up the culture of life through prayer, education, advocacy and making sacrifices for the pro-life cause.

“As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its natural end,” Gloyeske said.

LIFE CHAIN
Life Chain is a nationwide peaceful, prayerful and silent witness against abortion organized by local right-to-life not-for-profits. In Porter County on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-3 p.m., parishioners of St. Patrick will gather at Indian Boundary Road, east of SR 49. Immediately afterwards, attendees are welcome to enjoy a free ‘Celebration for Life’ picnic in St. Patrick’s gym. Pizza, salad and drinks will be provided. Guests are asked to bring a dessert to share.

Gloyeske helps organize the Chesterton Life Chain. He shared that knowing the public witness likely changed or softened many hearts and minds to life keeps him involved.

“I hope that many faithful will attend a Life Chain, as our prayers, witness and sacrifices do make a difference,” he said.

Missionaries for Life of St. John the Evangelist in St. John invites Catholics to “Stand For Life” Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. The group will be part of the Life Chain at the corner of Ridge Road and Oakwood Avenue (next to the Carmelite Monastery). Missionaries for Life is asking all Connect Groups, Small Groups, Youth Groups and ministries to prayerfully consider joining them in silent prayer for life. They welcome participants for any amount of time. They will have several signs, and those present can make their own (respectful, of course). For questions, contact Deb Stirn at debrastirn@yahoo.com.

Stirn has been pro-life through her teenage years until now. She has been to the March for Life in Washington D.C. and in Chicago for many years. She has also been a part of the Life Chain in Illinois and now in Indiana.

“I am trying to get more people from my parish to join me; every year I get a few more,” she said. “What I enjoy is the people who honk in support, those who come and stand in solidarity and prayer for life.”

Stirn shared that she believes, “We need to continue promoting pro-life until the idea of abortion is unthinkable. The evil that has turned minds against life will never stop and neither should we. Life is precious from womb to tomb, and we must continue to tell women that they were created with the awesome power of bringing life into the world; no one else can do it. This should be protected and honored. If abortion is something that was done, they can be forgiven and heal.”

ROSARY FOR LIFE
The Whiting community is invited to pray the Rosary for Life at Immaculate Conception Outdoor Grotto, Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. with Bishop Robert McClory. The faithful will pray for peace and renewed respect for life during October, the Month of the Rosary. Attendees are reminded to bring “your rosary, your family and friends.” In the event of inclement weather, prayer will take place inside St. Adalbert Church, 121st and Indianapolis Blvd. Questions can be directed to Lucille Blasko, 219-659-2949.

Blasko noted that the Whiting grotto is based on Our Lady of Lourdes in France. She shared that the local grotto was built by parishioners in 1928 and will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary. The location features a statue of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Bernadette and the Blessed Mother.

“It’s just a wonderful place for people to stop,” she said. “There are many people who come in the morning on their way to work, to say a prayer, and other people who come and go. They just appreciate being able to sit there, pray and relax.”

The grotto hosts a May Crowning each spring and a Rosary on Respect Life Sunday each fall. Blasko said it's important that people respect all of these things related to life.

“With all that's going on in our world today and all the negativity that we have, that Our Lady of Lourdes grotto is a perfect place to be praying for respect life,” she added. “We're so happy the bishop is going to come out and lead the rosary for us this year.”

LIVING ROSARY
Our Lady of the Rosary Feast Day is Oct. 7. In honor of the feast, and the second week of Respect Life Month, the Respect Life Ministry at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville will host a Living Scriptural Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in the church. It needs 60 people to serve as "Living Beads," standing while their candle is lit, praying the rosary together. Those wishing to be a "Living Bead" should arrive by 6:30 p.m.

RIGHT TO LIFE BANQUET
The Right to Life of Northwest Indiana Annual Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m., in Trinity Hall in Chesterton. The annual fall fundraiser will feature keynote speaker Lydia Taylor Davis, a Student for Life spokeswoman and social media coordinator. Visit https://rtlnwi.org for more information.