Day 33…Thanks to St. Regis Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, and our faithful team of volunteers!

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”  The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:46-52

Our culture is so blind, unable to see that the life of the child in the womb is as priceless as the life of the mother. Like Bartimaeus, we wait by the roadside–our vigil on Liberty Avenue–and call out to Jesus to have pity on us all. Let’s have faith that Jesus can heal us and continue to ask in hopeful persistence, even when many rebuke us and tell us to be silent. Lord Jesus, Son of David, restore our spiritual sight so all may see the value of every human life!

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UPDATE ON YESTERDAY’S EMERGENCY PRAYER REQUEST:

Joe and Nikki are SO grateful for all your prayers! Here is an update from Nikki:

I really saw God’s hand at work last night, which I know was a direct answer to all of the people praying for him. We were in the emergency room examining room, and the doctor came in to put the tube in his chest, which they do without anesthesia and it’s very painful. Joe was very scared And another doctor came in and asked if it was OK if his nurses came into the room to watch the procedure and of course as you know, Joe loves to be the center of attention so he said yes. Well, seven young women came in the room to watch the procedure and they all had Franciscan University smocks on! I looked at them and I said to Joe how lucky he was to have Franciscan students with him . Once they started the procedure and he was in so much pain he asked the nurses if they would pray for him. They all prayed in unison, The Our Father, the Glory Be and the Hail Mary and then they hummed Immaculate Mary for 10 minutes in beautiful harmony during the whole procedure! They sounded like a choir of angels and it was such a comfort to Joe as he went through the procedure . When does that ever happen to anybody? I asked the doctor if that ever happened to him before and he said no. I know that that was definitely the answer to everybody’s prayers!

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Here’s what happened on the sidewalk today…

7:30-9:00 AM, Vince and Pat M

Members of St. Regis parish, the St. Regis Knights, as well as SB Vince and his friend and fellow Knight, Rich

Steph, Pat’s wife, and Mike, also of St Regis parish

My usual shift is Fridays from 3-5, so closing down the operation and putting things away is something I’m used to.  However, once a campaign I’ll do an early Sunday morning shift with my parish and fellow Knights of Columbus.  So, my biggest concern as my wife (Steph) and I arrived at about 7:20 for my 7:30 – 9 AM shift, was how to set things up on the sidewalk.  But SB Vince, who must have gotten there before 7:00, had things all set up when I got there.  Brother Knight Lud, who is also our Grand Knight, was there with him.  Thanks so much, Vince, for doing that. 

I had two new parishioners, Fran and Pat, join us for the first time and I was so grateful to have them.  And Brother Knight Mike fought with a few demons to make it down as well.  Vince led the prayers and was assisted by his Brother Knight, Rich (I believe that’s his name), from the North Hills.  Nathan, from Christ the King and the Catholic Men’s Fellowship, came and surprised us with coffee & donuts, as well as with a back of pre-packed items to give to those in need.  I was grateful that he did, because the opportunity to help a few passersby presented itself shortly thereafter.

9:00-11:00 AM, Ken and Pat S

A brisk morning on the sidewalk with very little foot traffic. Rich and Nathan held over from the previous shift and prayed a rosary and chaplet with Pat and I. It was very kind of Nathan to bring coffee and donuts to warm the chill. Pat and I continued to pray for the remainder of the shift until Rich and Rosann arrived for the 11 – 1. Tremendous admiration for the folks who participate in the weekly rosary walk; now beginning their fifth year of praying for peace and God’s Mercy on our church, our nation, our city, and for an end to the destruction of life in the womb.

11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Roseann and Rich

Our Lady of the Lakes parishioners, Joan, Judi, Bob and Pat

1:00-3:00 PM, Andrew and Sue

We were joined by parishioners from Our Lady of the Lakes Parish from 1:00-3:00. It was a quiet prayerful shift.

3:00-5:00 PM, Andy