Day 15: Thanks to St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Indiana, St. Catherine Laboure, and Christ the King Parishes!

THINGS UNSEEN…

“So we do not lose heart…because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-17

I notice that many of our sidewalk volunteers seem to get discouraged by seeing so many people determined to end the lives of their unborn children. They feel hopeless and helpless, and may be tempted to think that their sacrifice of time and energy is for nothing. They may wonder if it is worth getting up early, reordering their schedules, fighting traffic and finding parking…not to mention the suffering of being the recipients of harsh words and humiliation…if they don’t see any lives being saved or any hearts changed.

When I read the epistle reading above from today’s (traditional) Missal, the word “unseen” jumped out at me. It brought to mind an email that one of our team members sent to me a few months ago, but which I have not shared because I didn’t want to take a chance of getting anyone inside of PP in trouble. But now I think enough time has passed, it should be fine. This team member had a conversation with an employee of Planned Parenthood, who informed our team member that it happens quite often that women begin to cry while sitting in the waiting room, and they get up and leave. This employee also said that sometimes, if a boyfriend is pressuring the woman to get the abortion…when he leaves to smoke a cigarette, she will ask the PP staff to not let him back in…and while he is gone, she will take off.

These are the things unseen. Lives are saved and hearts are changed…and the consequences are definitely eternal.

Read on for today’s sidewalk stories…

7:30-9:00 Cathy, Peggy, and Mary

We were joined today by Thomas N from St. Catherine Laboure and Mary B. She and I represented Christ the King Parish. Many workers arrived, and two, too many, women went in. The shift was punctuated by a man yelling that abortion should be free & legal, separation of Church and State.Fortunately he kept going. Later, another man came yelling, good  words that the babies should not be killed. Said he was a preacher, Catholic, but not Roman. He prayed with us, a very expressive prayer!

City workers had to do some work on the box around which we put the signs. He said we were not allowed to do it because it was city property. We put it around the tree next to the box. Cathy

9:00-11:00 Conrad and Julie

Thank God, the traffic going in was slower than most Wednesdays. Julie was able to interact with several going in and even some coming out.  Having the 40 day-ers from Saint Louise helped a great deal and also Randy came down to witness. One mom brought her little one in a backpack to witness. It seems that every Wednesday when I am on I see the abortionist leaving at 11 AM. Conrad

11:00-1:00 Larry and Ken

The group from Indiana brought a booklet with prayers and hymns. We prayed the glorious mysteries on the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and sang several hymns, including amazing Grace and Immaculate Mary. Business seemed pretty slow at Planned Parenthood today. We did see a couple of girls leave between 11 and one.  Thank you so much for the group from Indiana! Larry

Thanks to Lois from Roaring Spring, plus Lisa, Irene, Robert, Rudy, Gene, Bill, and Dennis from Indiana for coming to pray at today’s vigil!

1:00-3:00 Judy, Chris, Kevin, and Ed

A sunny, but windy, day on the sidewalk.    When I arrived, I was met by a merry band of Prayer Warriors from St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Indiana, PA.  Using the prayer sheets they brought, we prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross, and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.  What an inspiring group to pray with!  We had several passersby say “God Bless You” as they walked by and heard no negative comments.  Faithful Sidewalk Counselor Judy approached everyone she could and Kevin, my rear-round prayer partner from Regina Coeli Parish, joined us in prayer. Chris

And, from Judy: The traffic coming and going through the doors of evil today wanted no part in hearing anything I had to offer. Some of them couldn’t get the door closed fast enough. And some had some nasty words back to me.  One gal that came out and holding two brown bags didn’t want to talk. Looked somewhat distraught. I was trying to give her an abortion pill leaflet which she refused. As she walked away the Security Guard struck up a conversation with her and talked to her for a while which ended in an embrace. I again tried to talk to her to offer some help and again she refused. I found out later that she told Red she had a miscarriage. Whatever the situation was, Red was able to get her to talk to him. He has a big heart with lots of love. Kudos to our security. Judy Z

3:00-5:00 Steve and Eileen

Another beautiful, breezy day!  Eileen and I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Glorious Mysteries. Lots of thumbs up to go with a couple of “digital salutes”. Had a beautiful conversation with a young man named Christopher on the Works of Mercy, and how we are called to practice them as opportunities allow in our daily life. But the  MOST wonderful interaction was with a young woman named Alayah (sp?), who told me she was saved from having her baby killed by Miss Peggy… she is now 17 weeks along…  let’s all say a prayer for her continued health and that of her child- and a prayer of Thanksgiving to God and Miss Peggy for a SAVE! Steve