Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine in Lindenwold, like other parishes throughout the Camden Diocese and the rest of the country, will be making a special effort to promote pro-life efforts throughout October, Respect Life Month.
Annual Life Chain Sunday is Oct. 5 and the church, located on the White Horse Pike, is one of more than a dozen sites at which pro-life activists will participate in silent and prayerful witness as they stand along highways and busy streets holding signs with a pro-life message.
(For more on life chains in New Jersey go to http://www.lifechain.net or call Camille Bates, 908-646-3000.)
“We have a perfect location for a life chain in front of our parish church and shrine on the White Horse Pike,” said Father Joseph Capella, pastor.
Participants will meet at Our Lady’s shrine at 12:45 p.m. and stand in front of the church from 1-2 p.m. This year, with new outdoor stations of the cross at the parish, the Pro-Life Stations of the Cross will be prayed after the Life Chain.
But life chain participation is only one of several pro-life activities planned during the month through the work of the parish’s renewed pro-life ministry.
There will be Holy Hours on Oct. 6 after the 7 p.m. Mass in Lindenwold, and on Oct. 30 from 5-6 p.m. in Spanish, which precedes the 6 p.m. Mass in Spanish. And there will be a special blessing for expectant and new parents on Oct. 25-26 at all the Masses in the parish coinciding with a diaper drive organized by the Knights of Nativity Council. (The parish held a successful diaper drive six months ago in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus Nativity Council. Donations benefitted Guadalupe Family Services in Camden.)
In addition, each Thursday the perpetual novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe is prayed after the 8 a.m. and the 7 p.m. Masses, with adoration taking place in the chapel from 9 a.m. 5. p.m.
“We are very fortunate to have as our parish patroness the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe who is the patroness of the sanctity of human life,” said Father Capella. “I am strongly encouraging our parishioners to make the sacrifice of time and effort to be present to as many of our prayer and action events as they can. I am also encouraging all parish ministries to focus on life issues in a special way this month.”
To see the full calendar of events, visit the parish website: www.guadalupeparishshrine.org or call the parish office at 865-627-2222.