Bilingual Mass, Life Chains to highlight Respect Life Sunday events

By Mary Ann Wyand

“Created, Loved, Redeemed by God” is the theme for the Church’s national observance of Respect Life Sunday on Oct. 1 in dioceses throughout the country.

The archdiocesan observance begins at 1 p.m. with the bilingual Respect Life Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis and continues at 2:30 p.m. with participation in Life Chains in Indianapolis and five other cities in central and southern Indiana.

Father Scott Nobbe, who was ordained on June 24, is the celebrant for the pro-life Mass. He serves as executive assistant to Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein and liaison for Hispanic ministry in the archdiocese.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general, will present the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Respect Life Award and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Award for distinguished service to the cause of life.

Servants of the Gospel of Life Sister Diane Carollo, director of the archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry, said Father Nobbe will celebrate the Mass in English and Spanish.

“Hopefully, many of our Hispanic brothers and sisters will join us at this liturgy,” Sister Diane said. “It will include Spanish readings and music.”

She hopes Catholics from many parishes in central and southern Indiana will participate in the archdiocesan observance at the cathedral.

“Respect Life Sunday launches the yearlong [pro-life education] program among the faithful in the archdiocese,” she said. “The message that human life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death cannot be proclaimed from the pulpit one Sunday of the year. The message must be revisited and proclaimed throughout the entire year.”

Sister Diane said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has made this clear by adopting the Respect Life Program, which includes educational materials, liturgical guides and other resources for use in parishes and schools.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary parishioner Rose Kehoe of Indianapolis is coordinating the ecumenical Central Indiana Life Chain this year along North Meridian Street.

“Life Chain has been a part of Indianapolis’ Respect Life Sunday since 1991,” Kehoe said. “We’re always hoping for greater participation.”

In the archdiocese, Life Chains also are scheduled in Columbus, Connersville, Greencastle, Greenfield and Terre Haute.

(For more information about the Central Indiana Life Chain, call Rose Kehoe at 317-926-2123.) †