Day 17: Thanks to St. Kilian Parish, St. Matthew Parish, Geiger Church of the Brethren, Weirton Catholic Churches, Wonderful Volunteers, and Terrific Team Members!

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

James M. Barrie

I’m not an outgoing person by nature, so I have to force myself to say yes when someone asks me to go to an event or help with a project. Then I spend an unhealthy amount of time dreading whatever it was I agreed to. LOL

Despite my worries beforehand, I always come away afterward feeling really good about what I’ve done.  It’s so satisfying to be able to help, even if it’s just something simple.     

Studies have found numerous health benefits to volunteering…not just mental, but physical, too. It’s easy to believe those results.

So even though you may be hesitant to pray at the vigil, take a leap of faith and get out there. You’ll be doing yourself a favor as you provide much-needed help on the sidewalk!

-Jen

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SIDEWALK REPORTS

7-9 AM +++ Barbara and Richard

Our camera catches Richard backed by PP’s ancient darkness. Early morning sunrise washes the street.  People steadily chose PP and went inside. It made me sadder and sadder. I looked for and found this in my book. It was just right!

A quick quote: Chesterton from Orthodoxy, page 60.

The sun rises every morning.  His routine might be due, not to a lifelessness, but to a rush of life. The thing I mean can be seen, for instance, in children, when they find some game or joke that they specially enjoy. A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again…”

It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that he has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.

Priscilla and Kim arrived, lovely and ready to witness for life. God is good.

Peace,

Barbara

9-11 AM +++ Kathy

With me today were Kim and Priscilla.  Shortly after the shift started, a woman came over to pray with us before catching her bus.  Anthony and Therese stopped by to pray and witness for life briefly.  
I handed out the “Your Biography” mini tracts to passersby until they were gone.  Two cars pulled up to the curb.  Two women, mother/daughter perhaps, got out.  The older loudly refused any help and told the younger woman to drop the (yellow) card which she had accepted from me.  When I offered the card again, the young woman recorded me on her phone and then drove away.
The other car contained a couple going to a business down the street.  The woman was wearing a bra and underpants which concerned me about public indecency.  After calling 911, the dispatcher told me that indecency is wearing NO CLOTHES.  So if you see any nudies walking around town, please report it to the police, otherwise pray for these folks who have lost modesty.  And, if you’re courageous, confront them.

Kathy

11 AM-1 PM +++ Katie and Nikki

It was a very peaceful shift today and I was blessed to share it with wonderful Sidewalk Advocate Katie, and a very prayerful Bridget, as she prayed most of the 2 hours on her knees.  What a powerful witness it was.  Lori also came from St. Killian’s.  A few women entered today that were abortion-bound.  Some took the information but none changed their minds as far as we could tell.  I noticed that sometimes people make the sign of the cross as they pass us.  Today, even a delivery man, after he dropped off the packages inside PP, crossed himself as he walked past us.  We are witnessing Christ, and that is obviously clear to many.  Some respect it, and others hate it.  Just as Jesus said.

Nikki

1-3 PM +++ Donna and Elaine

Pastor John and Pastor Linda from the Geiger Church of the Brethren in Somerset , PA and a few parishioners from St. Matthew’s Parish here in Pittsburgh joined me today for the vigil.  We offered up prayers.  We received support from many people who passed by us.  

Elaine

3-5 PM +++ Val, Mike, and Christine

The 3-5 shift had a lot of foot traffic, mostly neutral, but a few people had opposing opinions. Two guys went into the bar next door and told us to move our chair out of the door way. An angry worker removed the flowers that were on the window ledge. Val, Mike and I prayed through it and  were greatly supported by the faithful group from Weirton who are pictured praying on the opposite side.

Christine

5-7 PM +++ Pat and Bill