Watching the Giant Fall
Have you heard the recent announcement by Planned Parenthood of the closure of their flagship abortion clinic in Manhattan? It seems to be very providential, being the oldest free-standing abortion clinic in America (and Planned Parenthood in Pittsburgh being the second!). We have been praying for so long that PP in Pittsburgh would close. Although their abortion numbers continue to increase year after year, we haven’t given up. We put our trust in God, and know that He is at work and is hearing our prayers. I wonder if the Manhattan PP closure is a foreshadow of what will happen in Pittsburgh someday soon? Dare we hope?
The landscape of abortion seems to be changing drastically since the Dobbs decision, with the majority of abortions being done by the abortion pill, instead of surgically. The consequences of medically induced abortions are horrific, with young women taking the pill without a doctor’s supervision…sometimes not even knowing how far along they are, or if it could potentially be an ectopic pregnancy. The psychological impact of women seeing their own baby in the toilet, and having to flush their child into the sewer will certainly be horrible, and there is no doubt that many women will die from complications from these self-induced abortions at home…not to mention the spiritual hardness that is sure to happen to the souls of these women. No longer will they be able to cast the blame on an abortionist for having taken the life of their child. No…they will have become the abortionist themselves.
Still…as discouraging as this seems, I still think I see God’s Hand in all of this. What I mean is this; It used to be that abortion was hidden, covered over by a pretty veneer. Planned Parenthood was an organization which helped underprivileged women to be able to take control of their reproductive rights. The woman would not see the results of her abortion, she might even be sedated. She would wake up and it would all be over. She could start anew. Her problem was gone.
It is different now. Soon, every woman who chooses to abort her child will see exactly what abortion is. She will either harden herself to what she has done…or she will repent. But she will no longer be able to deny what she has done. This seems to be more of God’s “separating” the “goats” from the “sheep”.
As we continue to watch the Giant of Planned Parenthood fall…especially with the possibility of federal de-funding on the horizon…we remain faithful to the “five stones” that Our Blessed Mother tells us will defeat this giant: 1.) Prayer (especially the Rosary) ; 2.) Scripture reading ; 3.) Fasting ; 4.) Confession ; 5.) Holy Communion. One day, when Planned Parenthood in Pittsburgh announces its closure, I hope everyone reading this will know that their prayers and sacrifices helped to make this day possible.
-Nikki
SIDEWALK REPORTS
7:30-9 AM +++ Cathy and Peggy
CATHY: Peg and I were joined by Mary B, who, along with me, represented Christ the King parish. One couple went in, refusing any information. Later a woman got out of an Uber and was walking around as if looking for something. I asked her and she said had an appointment. There was a bit of a language issue but figured out it was with PP. Peg got her on with a Spanish speaker and they talked for awhile while Mary L who had arrived for 9-11 called Women’s Choice Network trying to get an appointment. Then A got off the phone and went into PP. Peg called them back and they said she didn’t want help. Please pray for A.
9-11 AM +++ Conrad and Mary
CONRAD: Note tomorrow no parking on Liberty due to filming. Previous shift reported very busy which is typical unfortunately. We saw about 5-6 going in. Church group arrived at 11 along with Beverly.
11 AM-1 PM +++ Beverly and Ed
NIKKI: We had a great turnout for the defund Planned Parenthood rally today! It was very prayerful. The best part of it were Leah’s six children, with the seventh still in the womb. Like Jesus said, a little child will lead us, the children took turns leading all of us in the rosary, and they covered the sidewalk with beautiful pro-life messages. What a great witness for life! Thanks to all who came!
1-3 PM +++ Judy, Chris, and Kevin
CHRIS: The weather was not our friend today- rain, thunder, and hail. But the prayer warriors prevailed and prayed four Mysteries of the Rosary, several Chaplets of Divine Mercy, and the Loreto Litanies.. Father Jason and Marc from Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Jenna and Jen, John and Kevin from Regina Coeli Parish, Fred, and Judy and Arleen from St. Joseph the Worker prayed with us. Marc, with a smile on his face, gave out roses to passersby while Judy, our Sidewalk Counselor, offered potentially life-saving brochures to women.
3-5 PM +++ Steve and Eileen
STEVE: A good afternoon on the street- a pretty serious cloudburst finished up about 5 minutes before our shift, and by 4 pm the sun was shining! ALOT of positive interactions with passers-by and we had GREAT company- Fred, Jake and George from Holy Trinity in Carnegie! We gave out some roses and spread the word about the beautiful gift of LIFE!
Thank you, Nikki and all the 40 Days for Life workers! You are doing a great job. May God pour out His love and blessings on you all. And all who give their time to pray!
Amen Nikki. Jesus I Trust in YOU!