ANGEL WEEK
Tuesday was the feast day of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – angels with specific tasks made known to us through Holy Scripture. Friday was the feast day of the Guardian Angels – yours, mine, and everybody’s! So, I’m referring to this week as “Angel Week” and figured it might be a good idea to reflect on some of the rolls which angels play in our lives, especially ones which affect our work on the sidewalk.
An angelic choir announced the birth of Christ to shepherds in a field. Upon receiving the glad tidings, they traveled to the stable in Bethlehem to adore the Holy Child. As messengers, angels prompt action in men. Our own situation is less dramatic, but are our guardian angels encouraging us to get out on the sidewalk more than just once each 40Days campaign?
We know angels to be guides and protectors. My favorite angel story in the Bible is found in the book of Tobit. (If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a short, wonderful book to check out!) Do we remember that our Guardian Angels are always with us, working on the sidewalk right alongside us? Forever beholding the Face of God, our angels also act as intercessors for us. Do we ask for assistance in this regard?
Over and over, we’ve heard that we are in a spiritual battle. It seems sensible to rely on the strength our holy helpers can supply! Behind the scenes, our angels can work with the holy guardian angels of each individual who goes into Planned Parenthood. Any person walking through those doors of death has an angel who’s on TEAM LIFE! Our side outnumbers the other side. We belong to a mighty army whose strength is from the Lord. Since God is with us, no one can stand against us. Remember that when out there and take heart! We are surrounded by powerful angels and the holy assistance they are willing to supply us, if we just ask for it in faith.
God is most generous!
Joe, Tim & David 8-10
(From Tim) – What a beautiful and blessed morning we had. Blue sky and a closed pp started us off. Then we were joined by a family making a powerful witness. Our witness grew as two church groups joined in prayer and holding signs as well as two newly trained Sidewalk Outreach Advocates, Bernadette and Lesley. Faithful Vince also joined and occupied the side of arc with the construction increasing our presence. Thank God for all those who answered his call to witness to life and truth today. GBY Tim
Jim, Bill & Dave, with Corpus Christ Church & Divine Grace parish – 10-12
Bob & Mark 12-2
(From Mark) – Bob and I arrived to a crowd of pro-lifers praying from 2 parishes! We also discovered PP was closed! That is 4 of the last 5 Saturday’s they were closed, Praise God!
Bob and I prayed the Rosary together, sometimes kneeling. A lot of foot traffic was going into the theater, and one young man knocked over the baby models as he walked past (no harm to the case or models). I asked if they wanted to talk about why they were so angry, but they just walked into the theater, I did not expect them to want to talk, but I was prepared to listen and offer help in love if they had accepted. Two other encounters we had; A couple walking past repeatedly said “go get a job”. Neither Bob nor I could figure out how getting a job was connected to us praying to save lives and help mothers and fathers, Then a middle aged man drove up and stopped in front of PP and thanked us for our good work. He then recounted a story from 10-15 years ago while he was a carpenter in Boston. He was starting a job for a couple when he found out she was an OB Gyn and he was an abortionist (I know very odd) HE was not sure if he wanted to to the job so he went to ask a Priest who said yes, do the job, and witness love from a Catholic. He ended up doing a second job for the couple and about 7 and then again 5 years ago he sent emails to the man, first politely saying if he encountered a woman who did not want her baby he would adopt the baby(he already had 9 children)! And the second time, he said that when he was ready to find peace and reconcile with the Lord he was there for him. HE never heard back but continues to pray for him to this day. Wow! His name is Brian and as he left said he would like to come and pray with us. Hopefully he follows through and we will see him on the street praying! Sorry, no picture.
Billy, Nadine & David 2-4
(From Billy) Today Nadine and I had found out Planned Parenthood was closed for the day. First a drunk man started to pray the Lords prayer but then he deviated, We encountered a girl and her daughter who said 40 days has helped her in the past. We had a dad and a little girl who was looking at the baby models and we told her she looked like the models when she was smaller and we all did. Then another lady who was forced to have an abortion at 14 came and she let us she didn’t do on her own wish. A woman said to us a pejorative and then a man came up and told me I looked like a hillbilly with some pejoratives that would support this. Even though he tried to insult me I will take that as a badge of honor to be told I look like I support the pro life side. We then had a man come up to us thanking us for being here and then he talked about salvation and other things and he left. Then we ended with a special pro life litany.
Such a blessing to see Dave give of his limited time and lend his presence and the presence of his children to witness on the sidewalk today. I was privileged to hear him speak years ago at a Life in the Spirit seminar and more recently at a Gospa Retreat. He is such a dynamic speaker with such a powerful message! Today I am watching via livestream on Youtube the Catholic Identity Conference being held this weekend in Pittsburgh as it is yearly. I saw Abby Johnson talk from Friday’s session. I was brought to my knees by her message concerning the truth about PP. I didn’t know its true purpose. If you have the chance, please watch the program from Friday when she speaks. It encouraged me to double my prayers. Thank you who all who prayed to save the babies today. And please pray for the proprietors and patrons of the art studio adjacent to PP. They were rude to us also this past Sunday. They are troubled souls. God bless you.