Praying for an end to domestic violence

St. Gianna Parish hosted the “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence” candlelight walk through its neighborhood on Oct. 18, 2023 to stand in solidarity with victims of domestic violence. The walk began and ended at the St. Bernadette worship site. October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The walk was a joint effort with OSF Little Company of Mary Hospital. Participants included parishioners of nearby Southwest Side parishes and representatives from Saint Xavier University. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Joan O'Connor from Christ the King Parish joins in a prayer in the narthex of St. Bernadette Church before the start of the walk on Oct. 18, 2023. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Benedykt Pazdan, pastor of St. Gianna Parish in Evergreen Park, leads a prayer in the narthex at St. Bernadette Church before the start of the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Participants leave St. Bernadette Church for the start of the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Joanne Ryan helps Lourdes Diaz light her candle before the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Advocates for domestic violence victims return from the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Joan O'Connor, center, from Christ the King Parish, joins participants in front of St. Bernadette Church after the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Participants pray outside the church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Far right, Cindy Deuser, Quality and Safety Director at OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center, joins participants in prayer following the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Left, Father Ritchie Ortiz, associate pastor, leads a closing prayer outside St. Bernadette Church following the walk. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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