Respect Life Sunday draws hundreds out to pray for sanctity of all human life
Hundreds of Catholics across the Diocese of Charlotte took to the streets after Mass Oct. 1 to publicly stand up for life.
Respect Life Sunday, which marks the start of the U.S. bishops' observance of Respect Life Month in October, brought people out to busy thoroughfares in the big cities as well as small towns to form “Life Chains” as a public witness for the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death.
Pictured are parishioners and clergy from Brevard, Charlotte, Forest City, Greensboro, Hickory, Huntersville, Kernersville and Monroe.
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by SueAnn Howell, Amy Burger, Paul Doize, David Foppe, Lisa Geraci, Dorice Narins, Giuliana Riley and Bobby Speers
CHARLOTTE — Alan Ames, a layman who travels the world sharing his powerful conversion story and his gift of healing, will visit three parishes in the Charlotte area Nov. 6-8.
Each evening will begin with Mass and will be followed by a talk by Ames and then a time of prayer and a healing service.
Ames, who lives in Australia, last visited the diocese in November 2015.
He was born in London in 1953. In his youth, he was a member of a motorcycle gang, on a path full of violence and alcohol. After he was married, Ames moved to Australia with his family. The turning point of his life happened in 1993 when Alan saw his past life displayed before him and experienced how his sins and wrong ways had hurt God. He saw how Jesus offered him forgiveness from the cross. After some struggles, Ames accepted the forgiveness offered by Jesus. The Lord helped him to come back to the sacraments and to the Church and changed his hatred and pain into love. Later, God called him to be one of His witnesses, sent to carry God’s love into the world. He has brought hope and blessing to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide – the hope and blessing which he himself draws from his sacramental relationship of love with the Trinitarian God.
On Monday, Nov. 6, Ames will be at St. Matthew Church, located at 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. in Charlotte. Mass will begin at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, he will be at St. John Neumann Church, located at 8451 Idlewild Road in Charlotte. Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, he will be at St. Mark Church, located at 14740 Stumptown Road in Huntersville. Mass will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A talk and healing service by Ames will be held immediately after Mass each evening.
For more information about Ames and his healing ministry, go to www.alanames.org.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter; www.alanames.org contributed.