“I wish you had been there…“
I just came across this old message that was posted on the 40 DFL website in March of 2021 during the height of covid in response to one of my daily reflections. Many of you might remember it. It is burned deeply into my memory and still haunts and motivates me.
“I wish you had been protesting at the Pittsburgh planned parenthood last year when I had my abortion. It was in April during the lockdown and I know if a protestor would’ve approached me I wouldn’t have done what I did and I would have my baby right now. Getting an abortion was the worst decision I ever made and I regret it everyday. Thank you for doing this, you are saving lives.”
Nuff Said. It reinforces why we need to be on the street downtown not only for the next 6 days of the 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign but all the time. We need to keep saving babies lives as well as their moms. If you don’t know, we’ve currently got a dedicated team who man the street every week of the year. If you only come downtown during the Spring or Fall vigils consider coming more often. The babies need you. I know it’s not easy but pp doesn’t only kill babies during our two campaigns. They kill them every week of the year.
Pray. Listen to your heart. And determine if this is what God is calling you to do. Get your church more involved. If you have a child in a Catholic high school please forward this email to them and their high school. There is a national trend of young people getting more involved with 40 DFL but we are not seeing it here. We want and need them.
Trust me, you don’t want to be haunted by the thought “If only I had gone down”. So, sign up or just show up. Stay as long as you want even if for only one prayer.
I hope to see you again on the street after this campaign ends. I know it’s not easy. If it were easy we wouldn’t need you. Nuff said.
God bless you. Tim
Read on for today’s sidewalk stories…
Joe & Ed
(From Joe) – Fortunately PP was not performing abortions this morning, so we could focus on prayer.
Anthony joined Ed & I and lead us in beautiful, soul fueling scriptural rosaries, Elsie replaced Ed and we prayed on.
A strong wind made for a chilly shift elevating our offering to the Lord. All glory and praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ!!!
Elsie
The first shift had all the wonderful educational materials set up by the time I arrived. Joe & Anthony continued praying fervently and beautifully, with my joining in as I could, while also offering literature and keeping an eye on things. I do think our outreach to passersby may save as many or more babies’ lives as our outreach to victims entering and exiting the death mill. We won’t know in this world. Deo gratias, no victims entered.
Bernie took Joe’s place at 10:00, and by 11:00 Marie & Michelle arrived to relieve me.
Marie & Michelle
(From Marie) It was a cold & damp day, but I was lucky to have great prayer partners. Even better, there was no activity at PPH.
Elsie & Tom
Today was a very slow day on the sidewalk with almost no people entering or leaving PP. Thanks to Helen, Elsie, and Frank for praying and being positive witnesses today… We said the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, interacted with a few passersby, and tried to stay warm and dry in spite of a light rain/snow shower. –Tom
Michelle remained on the sidewalk for a good part of Tom’s and my shift; her beautiful witness for the babies and their parents was wonderful! Helen (a pro-life legend and one of the foundresses of PCUC!!) and Frank (a military veteran) represented their parish, Mary, Mother of God. We prayed and offered materials to passersby, with a few conversations. – Elsie
Billy & Helen
I was with Joe and Linda from Mary Mother of God Parish and we were outside, and it was really quiet. It was my second time down at the sidewalk today, I had some extra time and wanted to give back. It was really peaceful, maybe a few people gave us some looks. I saw a bunch of kids hanging near there, but no one went in to Planned Parenthood and no one really came out when I was there. When we were packing up, I went to Little Lamb and noticed a girl and she wanted to purchase some items and we let her purchase things.
In Christ
Billy
Thank God for slow traffic today at the murdermill. Thank you brave prayer warriors who stayed on the sidewalk through this cold and blustery day to pray for the holy innocents. May your reward be great in heaven!