Hundreds of faithful took to the streets Oct. 2 for Respect Life Sunday, participating in "Life Chains" outside their churches, in their downtown areas, or other busy public thoroughfares.
Life Chains were organized in more than 30 locations in 24 towns across the Diocese of Charlotte, marking the start of Respect Life Month in October.
Respect Life Month is held each year by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help Catholics understand, value, and become engaged with supporting the dignity of the human person, and therefore the gift of every person's life.
Learn more and download educational resources at http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/index.cfm
(Photos by SueAnn Howell and Rico De Silva, reporters; John Cosmas, Paul Doizé, Mike FitzGerald, Patrick Hession, Giuliana Riley and John Kenny, correspondents; provided by Diane Hoefling and John Russell)
BELMONT — The sound of gratitude rang out from the heart of Belmont Abbey College’s campus at noon Oct. 6 during the dedication and blessing of its new Gratitude Bell. The dedication event drew a large crowd of students, faculty, staff, monks and visitors.
The idea behind the Gratitude Bell is simple. When anyone rings the bell in gratitude for one of God’s blessings, the sound will echo across campus causing others on campus to reflect on the blessings in their lives.
“Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is a gift from God. Too often we dwell on what we don’t have, rather than focusing on the infinite gifts God has given us. The Gratitude Bell is a way of showing our thankfulness for all the many blessings, big and small, in our lives,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president of the college. “Each day between noon and 3 p.m., anyone is invited to strike the bell in thanksgiving for some blessing in his or her life. It is our hope that this will become a long-standing tradition that will strengthen our students, faculty, staff, alumni, monks and visitors in the virtue of gratitude.”
Pictured: Students, faculty and alumni from Belmont Abbey College and monks from Belmont Abbey gathered Oct. 6 to dedicate the college’s “Gratitude Bell.” The dedication ceremony was led by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari and college president Dr. Bill Thierfelder. (Photo provided by Belmont Abbey College)
Generous donors purchased the bell, originally forged by the McShane Foundry Co. of Baltimore, Md., in 1915 with the inscription “Holy Name” on its side. Located near the campus cafeteria on the residential side of the Belmont Abbey College campus, students will gather at noon to pray the Angelus and officially open the hours of gratitude from noon to 3 p.m. each day.
“We encourage other colleges, churches and institutions across the country to join us in fostering the virtue of gratitude within their communities,” said Benedictine Abbot Placid, chancellor of Belmont Abbey College. “Our hope is that our initiative focused on gratitude can influence a broader campaign that impacts the national demeanor in a positive way.”
Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts institution founded by Benedictine monks in 1876. The campus is currently home to more than 1,500 students. Its mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, it welcomes a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others.
— Rolando Rivas, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Rolando Rivas is the communications director for Belmont Abbey College.