“When shall I begin to give myself completely to him who has given himself to me without reserve?”
-St. Isaac Jogues
Jesus sacrificed Himself COMPLETELY for us. He held nothing back, even to the point of an excruciating and humiliating death. We are called to do the same for Him…to take up our crosses and follow Him, to die to the things that separate us from His providential plan for us.
Here’s something that certainly won’t surprise you: that’s hard to do! We hesitate to take up the cross even in the smallest ways, like giving up a few hours of time and comfort to go and pray at the vigil. But even though we dread and often avoid the cross, it’s the instrument of our salvation and the truest way to become deeply united to our Lord. That’s where we’ll experience the joy and peace that the world cannot give.
Don’t miss out on a chance to unite yourself to Christ on the cross and to receive the surprising blessings that go with it! Sign up for a time of prayer at the vigil by going to https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/Pittsburgh or by emailing Jen at pghsaland365@gmail.com.
FUEL
Sisters of the Holy Spirit will be covering 40 Days for Life in daily prayer. Blessings upon YOU, Nikki and all participants in this year’s program. Praying for your safety also.
-Sr. Jolenta
Read on to find out what happened on the sidewalk today…
Jen & Vince, 7:30-10:00
Vince and Dave praying the Rosary
Heartfelt prayer and a little drizzle of rain marked the first Sunday of this campaign. One troubled woman stopped to tell us that she became pregnant after being raped in a foster home at age 13, then was taken for an abortion by her next foster family. She kept asking if we were judging her, if we thought she had killed her baby, if anyone loved her…it was heartbreaking. We did our best to assure her that none of what happened was her fault and that she was truly loved, both by God and by us. Please keep her in your prayers.
Ken, 10:00-12:00
Lots of activity on the first Sunday of this campaign. Brian joined me for the first hour after Jen and Rich left from the previous shift. A rainy morning with lots of foot traffic due to the Great Race. I was blessed to have Remi and Cheryl pray from 11:00 to noon until the noon shift of Santos and Nathan arrived. Also a blessing to witness the loving and prayerful presence that Santos brought to the sidewalk.
Rich and Ken (with Brian hidden on the other side of the circle)
Nathan and Santos
Andrew, 1:00-3:00
Just Katie and I today on the 1:00-3:00 shift. A little after 2:00, a man stopped and attempted to knock over some of our signs. The guard confronted him and suggested he apologize, which he did. Thanks to this, we ended up engaging in an interesting conversation with him in which he shared that one of his siblings had been aborted. He seemed very hurt by this but believed it was necessary to save his mother’s life. Generally, he was against abortion but was very adamant about allowing it when “medically necessary” and in some instances of rape. We tried to explain that abortion was never necessary and that there are some legitimate procedures in which a baby may unintentionally not survive an attempt to save a woman’s life. I’m not sure if his views shifted or not, but we parted on good terms. Before he left, he shared that he and his wife have not been able to have any children in their 15 years of marriage. I said I would pray that they would have a child and suggested he do the same. Although he said he did not profess any religion, he did not seem dismissive of this. Please pray for his conversion and healing from his mother’s abortion, and that God may bless him with a child.
Steve, Denise & Andy, 3:00-5:00…check back later
Jen & Vince,
We ( Wed 7:30-9) know this woman, Linda, She asked us the same and now gives us a big hug because we “don’t judge me”. She does need prayer.