There is a God. He is not you.
Praying and fasting alongside my brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh 40 Days for Life, I hear God repeating the above quote. I love what has become an iconic 40 Days pic. The frosted pro-life witness is resolute, faithful and in love. No matter what the weather, the tiredness, the reluctance, the failures, the joy – it is our Father who provides us with this footprint – this place to plant our boots, our sandals. He accompanies us. It made sense for this blog to attach: an ancient note to Christians; a brief history of 40 Days for Life; and a Psalm sung to a tune by Sergei Rachmaninoff. The choir looks like Nikki leading us – each of us gathered in Our Father’s generosity, each of us resolute, faithful and in love. Enjoy the NOTES FROM THE SIDEWALK for a ring side seat of the sidewalk downtown in front of Planned Parenthood.
Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind by either country, speech or customs. This creed of theirs is no discovery due to some fancy or speculation. Nor do they, as some do, champion a doctrine of human origins. They spend their days on earth, but hold citizenship in heaven. They obey established laws, but in their private lives they rise above the laws. Doing good, they are penalized as evildoers; when penalized, they rejoice because they are quickened into life. In a word: what the soul is to the body, Christians are to the world. Such is the important post to which God has assigned them, and they are not at liberty to desert it. It was really the Lord of all, the Creator of all, the invisible God himself, who, of his own free will, from heaven, lodged among men the truth and the holy incomprehensible Word, and firmly established it in their hearts.
Edited for space. From the Epistle to Diognetus, 2nd century. Magnificat February 2021
You are pregnant, Mom. The baby is not you.
It was a scorching hot summer day (2004). We had an old wooden table. We cleared it off, took our seats, and the four of us bowed our heads, “God, we don’t know where to go from here. Can you show us what we need to do next?” For one full hour we prayed. And that’s when ideas began to take shape so fast that we were talking over one another in spine-tingling excitement. “What if, for forty days, we held a twenty-four-hour-a-day prayer vigil?” Decision made!
Nine years later, on August 27, 2013, Andy Hurley saw it. “The tall, narrow signpost stood bare, and next to it, upended on the ground like a fallen giant, lay the huge sign bearing the logo and name of Planned Parenthood. A workman in a maroon shirt knelt beside it, tasked with removing the sign, and a large, empty truck stood by, ready to cart it away. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s what has actually happened: The former Planned Parenthood abortion center where 40 Days for Life began – where the former director, Abby Johnson, had a conversion and left her job – is now the headquarters of 40 Days for Life, with medical services offered by two former abortionists.
David Bereit and Shawn Carney with Cindy Lambert
40 Days for Life, Discover What God Has Done…Imagine What He Can Do
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“Blazhen muzh,” Sergei Rachmaninoff, from “All-night vigil” Op. 37 (“Vespers”). Irina Bogdanovich conducts the University of Warsaw Choir.
Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the wicked.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him with trembling.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Salvation belongs to the Lord, and Thy blessing be upon Thy people.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to Thee, O God!
PSALM 1
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DEE COLLECTS OUR FUEL
FUEL 3
Carmelite Nuns, Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Fairfield, PA (Harrisburg Diocese)
Praised be Jesus Christ! and May God reward you for letting us know about your prayer campaign to end abortion. Please be assured that we will all be joining our prayers with yours and those who attend the vigils. What a beautiful witness and gift!! We pray God will shower your efforts and prayers with many blessings and saved lives and peaceful hearts.
Devotedly in Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
All your Carmelite Nuns in Fairfield
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NOTES FROM THE SIDEWALK
JEN McD. SHIFT MANAGER 7-9
A wonderful group gathered on the sidewalk this morning. Their warm fellowship made the cold weather much easier to bear. After Diane and Tom set up for the day, Vince and I started to pray. We were soon joined by Bill, then by three of Vince’s brother Knights of Columbus: Rich, George, and Steve. Nancy came from St. Regis Parish in Trafford. And before we knew it, Nikki and Ken arrived to take the next shift. Thank you all for coming out to pray for the cause of LIFE!
NANCY, NIKKI, RICH, GEORGE, STEVE, VINCE
Ken B. SHIFT MANAGER 9-11
It was a cold but quiet day on Liberty Avenue this Sunday. We started our shift with the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Joining in prayer were the Knights of Columbus Rich, George and Steve, also Pam from the Assembly of God church and shift buddy Nikki. We were joined in the second hour by Sunday regular Pat and for a brief time the Sunday Rosary walk that included Bishop Waltersheid. Other prayers offered were the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary in Latin and the Grace Force Prayers from Fr. Heilman’s 40 Days for Freedom From the Devil. May our Lord accept our prayers and sidewalk sacrifices to save lives and souls.
Knights of Columbus Rich, George and Steve, also Pam from the Assembly of God church and shift buddy Nikki.
Sunday Rosary walk that included Bishop Waltersheid.
RICH AND ROSEANN K. SHIFT MANAGERS 11-1
Again, a nice turnout by St. Michael the Archangel Parish. They have signed up for four Sundays, this being the third. It was a special blessing when Fr. Tom came to pray. The weather was great although a little chilly. We got in our Rosaries and Divine Mercy Chaplet. We only had one negative remark when a young man came by and asked us why we all weren’t in church. Plus he a few choice words for us as he kept walking. Today was just another day closer to the ending of abortion.
Saint Michael the Archangel Parish with Father Tom
Father Tom on the left with parishioners of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish
Marie P. SHIFT MANAGER 1-3
I was reading yesterday’s post comparing abortion days to Sundays in front of PP. Today was definitely the exception to the usual ‘quiet’ Sunday afternoon! Shortly after I arrived, the group from St. Agnes Parish in North Huntington were ready to “go at it with prayer” during their 1:00-3:00 shift. The group split up and there were six prayer warriors on each side of the PP doors! They wasted no time and were “intentional” in their prayer this afternoon — and it was needed as the afternoon progressed. Maybe it was the sunshine in town, but there was more foot traffic on the sidewalk and more comments from passersby and gestures from motorists — more than usual for a typical Sunday. I was in awe of the “intentionality” of the group – they were not deterred by the comments – mostly from young men. Ann led the group I was with in four Rosaries – we covered all the mysteries as well as several Divine Mercy Chaplets. Not to be outdone, the other group could be heard echoing our Rosaries as well! St. Agnes sent us some serious prayer warriors today – and they were needed! One young man passed through us proclaiming in a loud voice that we are ‘judging people’. He was quite agitated by our presence. Mary Jane (from St. Agnes) led him to a spot in front of the bookstore for a lengthy conversation. I watched as she calmed him down to where he was not so agitated. I prayed for her that she was ‘planting a seed’ in this young man. Their conversation ended with a hug between them! My thanks to this special group from St. Agnes – you displayed grace under pressure today and helped me to realize how I can be more ‘intentional’ in my prayer and time on Sunday afternoons during these 40DFL. Note to self – always be careful thinking that Sundays are the ‘quiet’ day of the week at PP😊
Saint Agnes Parish in North Huntington
Saint Agnes Parish in North Huntington, Intentional Prayers
HOUR OF MERCY
Thank you to Fr. Nathanael for coming to the vigil today at 3 PM to pray in the hour of mercy! We’re also very grateful to Bishop Waltersheid and Fr. Tom for joining us today! God bless each of you!
JOE W. SHIFT MANAGER 3-5
My shift buddies, Jim and Cathy, and I were accompanied by the formidable prayerful Soldiers for Christ from Corpus Christi Parish in Bridgeville. Fr. Nathanael from St. Vincent Archabbey, and Deacon Len from Corpus Christi led us in glorious prayer on this sunny day, giving a voice to our voiceless brothers and sisters. All Glory and Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Shift Buddies Jim and Cathy with a Corpus Christi Parishioner
Voices for our voiceless brothers and sisters
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And God saw that it was good.
And God saw that it was good.
Beautiful, Barbara. Thank you.
Thank you, Lisa.
Sidewalk sister!
Peace.