Father Brian Alford to be guest speaker for luncheon program

GRANITE CITY — Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will celebrate the annual diocesan Respect Life Mass at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Holy Family Church in Granite City. After Mass he will lead a rosary walk to Hope Clinic for Women, to hold a prayer vigil outside the place where medical and surgical abortions are performed.

After the vigil, a light luncheon will be held at Holy Family Parish Hall. Speaker for the luncheon program will be Father Brian C. Alford.

Father Alford is a priest of the Springfield diocese who was ordained by Bishop Paprocki in 2011. After his ordination, he served in parishes in the Effingham area and was chaplain at St. Anthony High School. In July, Father Alford began serving as priest secretary and master of ceremonies for Bishop Paprocki and was also appointed director of Vocations for the diocese.

At the luncheon, Father Alford will talk about the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., and how we can encourage our young people to view this event as an opportunity to witness to their faith. He will explain how participation in the march, as well as other pro-life activities, can assist young people in better understanding and living out their vocations.

For more information about the annual Respect Life Mass or the rosary walk and prayer vigil to the abortion clinic, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns and Respect for Life at (217) 698-8500, ext. 167 or email .