Diocese of Arlington participates in ‘National Life Chain Sunday 2017’

Participants will create a human life chain to pray for those lives lost to abortion and will bear witness to their belief in the sanctity of human life.

For Immediate Release

September 29, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. – This Sunday, October 1, 2017 more than 1,500 communities across the United States and Canada, including the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, will participate in National Life Chain Sunday 2017. Participants from the Diocese will gather on the sidewalk in several locations throughout central Virginia for 90 minutes, creating a human life chain while holding colorful posters with pro-life messages and praying the Rosary in an effort to awaken the conscience of the community to protect the sanctity of life.

Life Chain began in 1987 by Please Let Me Live, a small pro-life ministry based 45 miles north of Sacramento, Calif. The first Life Chain drew more than 2,000 participants. For more information, click here

Here is a list of locations and times:

• Alexandria - 2:30-3:30 p.m., 6222 Franconia Road to Frontier Avenue
• Culpeper - 2-3:30 p.m., James Madison Highway (Rte. 29) at Ira Hoffman Lane
• Fairfax - 2-3 p.m., Paul VI Catholic High School at 10675 Fairfax Blvd.*
• Falls Church - 2-3:30 p.m., Broad Street (Route 7) at Spring Street
• Fredericksburg - 2-3:30 p.m., Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) at Stafford Avenue
• Gainesville - 2-3:30 p.m., Linton Hall Road at Wellington Road
• Leesburg - 2-3:30 p.m., North King Street at Oakcrest Manor Drive, N.E.
• Manassas - 2:30-3:30 p.m., Sudley Road at Plantation Lane
• Stafford - 2-3:30 p.m., 3130 Jefferson Davis Highway
• Winchester - 2-3 p.m., Amherst Street from Westside Station Drive to Fox Drive
• Woodbridge/Dale City - 2:30-3:30 p.m., Smoketown Road at Gideon Drive
• Woodstock - 2-3:30 p.m. Main Street at Reservoir Road

In a statement, the Most Reverend Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said, “Sadly, the world does not always respect our beliefs and convictions, and thus when the child in the womb is referred to as merely a ‘choice’ who does not have legal protection, innocent lives are horrifically claimed.  But despite the sad realities, we do not despair.  We gather as believers to bring the Gospel of Life to the world, as we do in this Life Chain, for it is our sacred duty to do so.”