Tens of thousands are expected to make their way to Exposition Park in Los Angeles for the third annual OneLife LA, a large-scale event uniting people of all backgrounds throughout Southern California to celebrate the beauty and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.
This year OneLife LA is taking on its biggest challenge yet by aiming to set the world record for largest heart formation. A group of 11,166 people in Monterrey, Mexico achieved the current world record in 2010.
The event, themed “Choose Love” will include a roster of international and national voices sharing their personal and life-affirming stories.
“OneLife LA means sharing the love of God with others — especially those who are poor and forgotten, and those who are alone and excluded,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “Join me and thousands in declaring a commitment to valuing and protecting all human life, particularly the most vulnerable in our society.”
Inspirational testimonies from celebrities and local, national and international heroes include actress Patricia Heaton, TV personality Rosie Rivera, Karyme Lozano, death row exoneree Kirk Bloodsworth, and genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza. Performances will be given by Chris Duffley, Jamie Grace and the one hundred person West Angeles Mass Choir.
“OneLife LA is not just a one-day celebration. It is a movement, a catalyst for doing good in our community every day of the year to show, through our actions, that we value the life of every person we see and vow to help those in greatest need,” said kathleen-domingo, associate director for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Life, Justice and Peace.
OneLife LA partners with local community service and outreach organizations to inspire positive action among participants. These organizations provide life-affirming support to pregnant women, assist the homeless, trafficking survivors, the elderly, the disabled and the dying, and help foster children find adoptive families. Partners this year include 40 Days for Life, Olivecrest, the American Red Cross, The Dream Center, App for Life, Family Promise, Obria Medical Clinics, Merciful Companions, A21, Covenant House, Saving Innocence and more.
OneLife LA, spearheaded by the Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace, was first celebrated on January 17, 2015. The event united about 15,000 people to “Be Somebody to Somebody” in their own communities through good works. OneLife LA 2016 drew nearly 20,000 to downtown Los Angeles in celebration of the beauty and dignity of every human life. For the 2016 event recap and highlights, please visit http://onelifela.org/highlights/ and for 2015 event highlights, visit http://onelifela.org/2015event/.
Visit www.onelifela.org for more information, to register or to donate. Keep up with latest OneLife LA updates on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and follow #OneLifeLA and #ChooseLove.
Interested in more? Subscribe to Angelus News to get daily articles sent to your inbox.
