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Celebrating Easter: Private Citizens Express Faith in Daley Plaza

Thomas More Society Sponsors Easter Cross, Sunrise Service, and Divine Mercy Project 24/7 Prayer Vigil

Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

CHICAGO, April 16, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- At midnight on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, a nine-day prayer vigil will commence in Daley Plaza to honor the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based national public interest law firm, joins private citizens to sponsor "Jesus in Daley Plaza" for the 8th year. A 19-foot tall cross and a 10-foot tall image of the resurrected Jesus will be displayed as an expression of faith by private citizens in the Daley Plaza public forum. An Interdenominational Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday, April 20, at 6 a.m. (Central), featuring prayers and music. Daley Plaza is located in downtown Chicago, at 50 West Washington, between Clark and Dearborn.

Thursday evening, April 17, at 7 p.m. (Central), the huge cross will be raised, draped in purple linens. Easter Sunday, as the resurrection of Christ is celebrated, the drapery will be changed to the traditional white that symbolizes renewed life. At the same time, "The Divine Mercy" image of the resurrected Christ will also be unveiled. The vigil, "Prayer in the Public Square," is coordinated by The Divine Mercy Project and The Christopher Leaders and runs through Monday, April 28.

WHAT & WHEN:

  • Thursday, April 17, 2014, 7 p.m. (Central)
    8th annual "Jesus in Daley Plaza" with the raising of a giant 19’ cross draped in purple linens
     
  • Friday, April 18, 2014, 12 a.m. (Central), through Monday, April 28, 2014
    "Prayer in the Public Square" 24/7 prayer vigil, coordinated by The Divine Mercy Project and The Christopher Leaders
     
  • Sunday, April 20, 2014, 6 a.m. (Central),
    Interdenominational Easter Sunday Sunrise service
    Changing of drapery on the cross to the traditional white, symbolizing renewed life
    Unveiling of "The Divine Mercy" 10' image of the resurrected Christ

Easter Sunrise service participants include:

    Rev. Zaki L. Zaki, the Chicago Northwestern District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church
     
    Rev. Shirley Pulgar-Huges, of Redeemer of Calvary/El Redentor del Calvario United Methodist Church

    Dr. Hiram and Dr. Joronda Crawford, of Pro-Life Pro-Family Coalition

    Thomas Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of The Thomas More Society

Music will be led by:

    John Oakley, John and Emily Fitch, and Perry Marshall, of the Greater Chicago Church

WHO: Christians of all denominations, and others interested in participating or observing
Sponsored by the Thomas More Society

WHERE: Daley Plaza, downtown Chicago at 50 West Washington, between Clark and Dearborn
MAP: bit.ly/108z677

"Both the Easter Cross and the Divine Mercy Image represent a constitutionally protected expression of faith - the observance of the Resurrection - by private citizens in a public forum," said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. "These Easter displays are privately funded and sponsored, bereft of any government aid or endorsement, and therefore are clothed and armored with the full protection of the First Amendment of our U.S. Constitution." The Thomas More Society helps groups and individuals across the country, defending their First Amendment right to express religious beliefs freely and openly in traditional public forums, especially during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons.

The Easter Cross and The Divine Mercy Image displays were designed and built by Karl and Nancy Fritz and family.

Photographs of previous years' events are available upon request.

About the Thomas More Society
Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm that exists to restore respect in law for life, marriage, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, the Society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro-bono professional legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
www.thomasmoresociety.org