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Old St. Pat's Plans ‘Enough is Enough' Service to Combat Chicago Violence

By Stephanie Lulay | January 27, 2016 6:14pm
 Old St. Pat's Church will host an inter-faith prayer service Thursday in protest of Chicago violence.
Old St. Pat's Church will host an inter-faith prayer service Thursday in protest of Chicago violence.
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DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer

WEST LOOP — One of the city's oldest churches will host an interfaith prayer service Thursday, giving Chicagoans the chance to voice their frustrations over the violence that plagues Chicago. 

The ''Enough is Enough: No More Violence'' prayer service will bring together people from different backgrounds from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Old St. Patrick's Church, 700 W. Adams St. 

From Jan. 1-25, 42 people were killed and 210 wounded, almost doubling last year's numbers. 

Keara Ette, Director of Young Adult and Sacramental Formation at Old St. Patrick’s Church, said the gathering was planned after a conversation between members and staff at Old St. Pat's — a conversation expressing "the anger, frustration, heartache and shame" they felt because of systemic violence. 

"We are forced to face the fact that it is not just [others] who might be the victim of some individual act of violence; but rather, violence is taking a toll on every facet of society," Ette said. "So on this night, we will stand with the victims of violence and share a cry of lament and solidarity, and we will stand against the darkness and vow this is not just the way things are." 

Individuals from different backgrounds will briefly share their stories about how they have been or are being affected by violence of some kind. The prayer service is open to all people, encompassing all religions and faiths.  

Founded in 1846, Old St. Pat's has more than 3,000 household members. The church building, built in the 1850s, is the oldest public building in Chicago. 

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