Students from Albertus Magnus HIgh School display their message for LIFE.

In spite of gray skies, a constant mist, and the threat of showers, over 200 Rocklanders gathered at the intersection of Route 59 and Middletown Rd. on Sunday, Oct. 6, for the 21st annual Life Chain.

The Rockland Life Chain was one of 29 being held simultaneously today in the boroughs of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. Hundreds were held across the United States and in Canada.

The Life Chain is devoted foremost to prayer. Individuals or small groups prayed quietly or said the Rosary in a chain of prayer along the perimeter of the Rockland Shopping Center, across the road by the new mall, along Middletown Rd., and down Route 59 to the east.

The family of John and Pam Barnhardt on Middletown Rd.

Among those who gathered to pray for the unborn were the Knights of Columbus, the Albertus Magnus Prolife Club, the St. Joseph’s Youth Group, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Rosarians, St. Peter’s ProLife Group, and individuals and families from all around the county. The clergy and religious who participated were Fr. Joseph LaMorte, pastor of St. Gregory’s in Garnerville; Fr. Robert McKeon, pastor of St. Francis in West Nyack; Deacon John Maloney from St. Anthony’s in Nanuet; Sister Winifred; and the Sisters of Life.

The response of those driving by was overwhelmingly positive. Encouraging beeps and thumbs up greeted the crowd of about 60 Albertus students that stretched for nearly 50 feet around the northwest corner of the intersection.

Members of the Gracepoint Gospel Fellowship standing up for LIFE.

The Life Chain movement was started in 1987 in Sacramento, Calif. According to its organizers, the LIFE CHAIN is “a serious first step to prolife activism. It . . . requires us to stand publicly for one hour, while holding a pro-life sign –such as Abortion Kills Children, Adoption: The Loving Option, Jesus Forgives and Heals, and Abortion Hurts Women –and praying through the prayer topics on the back of our sign. That brief experience has led thousands of Christians across North America to join local pro-life groups and work as volunteers throughout the year.”

IF YOU CLICK ON ANY PHOTO IN THE CLUSTER, IT WILL ENLARGE. THEN YOU CAN VEW EACH PHOTO IN THE GROUP BY CLICKING ON THE SIDE ARROWS THAT APPEAR.