Day 40: Thanks to Our Lady of the Lakes parish, St. John and St. Mary parish (Delmont/Export), dedicated team members, and wonderful volunteers who prayed with us on the sidewalk or from afar (including seven devoted religious communities!)

On Palm Sundays when I was small, and the congregation would read aloud the words of the crowd in the Gospel account of Jesus’s passion, I refused to join them in shouting, “Crucify Him!” I was sure that I would never have been so cruel to Jesus, Who had been so good to me. As I got older, I started to realize that I am just as cruel to Jesus as those who played a role in His passion. My actions speak louder than words when I follow the ways of the world rather than my Savior.

–Fall asleep in the Garden instead of keeping watch with Jesus? I do it all the time when I choose to skip praying because it’s late and I’m tired.

–Cry out to Pilate to release Barabbas instead of Christ? That’s what I say each time I choose a comfortable path because it’s easier than taking up my cross like Jesus asks.

–Claim that I have no king but Ceasar? Worrying more about what the world thinks of me that what God wants could mean nothing else.

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It’s been a long campaign, filled with numerous challenges. I know I’m not the only one breathing a sigh of relief that it’s ending. But the task isn’t finished. PP will open for business again next week and they, too, will be breathing a sigh of relief that the campaign is over. Let’s pray that God will refresh us and give us strength to follow His Son rather than the world, so that we can keep serving His littlest ones on Liberty Avenue until the next campaign begins.

Lord, teach me to be generous, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to look for any reward, save that of knowing that I do your holy will.

Prayer for Generosity (attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola)

40 Days for Life 365 and Sidewalk Advocates for Life offer hope to all those entering Planned Parenthood of Pittsburgh year-round.  Join us Tuesdays through Saturdays to pray or to let people know about the great support resources available. Contact pghsaland365@gmail.com and
we’ll make sure you have a partner on the sidewalk.
God bless you!

-Jen

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We are so grateful to the religious communities who joined us in prayer during this campaign!

+++The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius

+++The Carmelite Nuns of Fairfield, PA

+++The Carmelite Nuns of Latrobe, PA

+++The Carmelite Nuns of Loretto, PA

+++The Passionist Nuns

+++The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill

+++The Sisters of the Holy Spirit

Thanks to Dee for writing to ask for their prayers!

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SIDEWALK REPORTS

7-9 AM +++ Jen and Vince

Many thanks to Vince for being a faithful friend on the sidewalk and a strong spiritual leader for our Sunday morning shifts. We’re very grateful that Rich and George joined us each week as well. Sundays are usually pretty quiet (and cold LOL) but we had an interesting conversation with a passerby this morning. He wanted to ask us questions and was quite respectful despite that fact that he was drinking a bottle of beer for breakfast. We didn’t change his mind on abortion in that short time, but he seemed open to continue asking questions, which will eventually lead him to the truth. And he humbly offered an apology for making fun of our fetal models during someone else’s shift this week!

Jen

9-11 AM +++ Ken and Pat

A mix of all things today on the sidewalk. For some reason I was struck by so many contrasts. The sun was shining brightly for most of our shift and that is quite rare. A couple of people voiced support for our prayers and efforts but some shook their heads with a look of distain. A few couples passed sharing a morning walk and coffee in conversation with the pooch along, while one screamed from a car, “I love abortion.” Young families passed by as did homeless people; and then there is this killing center with a few faithful praying for God’s Mercy outside. These are truly strange times we live in. Happy to have the Knights, Rich and George, with us this morning and also happy to see the faithful with the downtown rosary walk.

Ken

11 AM-1 PM +++ Rich 

A quiet, peaceful, prayerful Palm Sunday.

Rich

1-3 PM +++ Charlie and Andrew

Tons of prayers today as I was joined by such wonderful, loving, prayerful people.  The sun was out our entire shift and you could feel God’s love all around.  It was the perfect way to end our shift this time around. Now looking forward to seeing so many of you at the closing.  God bless!

Charlie

3-5 PM +++ Andy Lucas, Steve, and Denise

Coming soon!