Oh Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in you.
How often we recite the prayers of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and how appropriate, when we stand in our prayerful witness for life on the sidewalk. The Chaplet, given to Saint Faustina by our Merciful Lord, is THE PRAYER, along with the rosary, for our time. Given from the depths of God’s love for us as a vehicle to call on His greatest attribute, His Mercy, for the greatest of our needs, unconditional forgiveness.
We entrust those who approach this awful place of darkness and death to God’s Mercy, in atonement for our sins and those of “the whole world.”
As we pray with great concern and compassion for the unborn baby and her mom, we look for consolation in the Sacred Heart of our redeemer and to a total surrender for those who cross our path, to His merciful love. Our mission, our purpose, our anxious concern realizes and anticipates victory for His right arm through Divine Mercy. The Blood of Christ has already won the victory on the cross. It is by the cross that we claim this Mercy for these victims. And it is our works of Mercy that give them hope, either now or at some point in the future, when in the memory of their loss they may consider our witness. This is why it is so important so relevant to bring mercy to the sidewalk.
The CCC 2447 states: The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.
These are all evident as we witness.
-Ken
7-9: Tracy’s Report
This morning was damp and dreary, but, thank goodness, the rain had already passed through. Dan was unloading his car and Bill was assisting in setting up everything when I arrived with my fellow parishioners, Shawn and Beth. Greg and Jackie arrived and, after seeing Dan off, we started our time together by praying the rosary.
Several girls went into PP. A few took our literature. Only one young lady made a rude gesture. Most ignored us.
Those walking through our “happy gauntlet” were mostly kind and affirming. A fellow, who doesn’t necessarily agree with what we are doing, stopped to dialogue. It’s encouraging to find civil discourse possible these days. Three different cars drove by with people screaming at us to leave the girls alone. I guess they needed to vent? Such anxiety. We remarked how a majority of those on the other side of the fence seem so unhappy. Prayers all around!
9-11: Beth’s Report
Thanks to our faithful friends from Steubenville, Sean, Beth, and Tracy who put in four hours, praying in the damp in front of a very busy PP.
Linda, Claudia, and I had some wonderful people just stop on their way: Michael, who was returning to D. C. and Victoria, headed to Cleveland.
Both were happily anticipating upcoming nuptials. We pray that marriage is happy, long, God-blessed. Then Glenn joined us in the rosary. It’s always good to see Glenn, a repeat “customer ” to 40 Days. Our Tuesday Trio plans to be here every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 as long as need be, so join us any and every Tuesday. It’s been a duty and honor to witness with such wonderful people.
11-1: Sheila’s Report
1-3: Mike’s Report
Our 1 to 3 shift was with Conrad and Sandy as our Sidewalk Advocates. We also had Mary Jane from St. Thomas Moore in Bethel Park with us praying the rosary. Both Advocates and Delores were able to talk personally with passersby. The day was safe. Kim and I are blessed for being able to participate in 40 Days for Life.
3-5: John’s Report
Several women went in. A woman looked at a sign and was surprised forty babies are killed here each week. Father Sweeney sent his Irish blessing upon all the people who stood witness to life today. God bless you and Saint Patrick and all the Irish Saints.
3-5: Virginia’s Report
There was the usual day-end foot traffic, and actually very few school children and no football game on Garrison Place. PP had workers or clients (women with backpacks) staring to come out about 3:45. There was a late teen girl that emerged from the PP building with a brown paper bag that seems to indicate or oral “pill”. Unfortunately she would not take any printed material or engage in a conversation. Close to 4 PM, 2 young girls (most likely high school) entered the building close to 4PM. After about 30 minutes, they came out and re-entered the building several times, checking for their ride or transportation. There were a few chances to offer them material which I did, but they declined all offers, saying they already had brochures. After 4:45, 3-5 girls left the building, all with large (school-looking) backpacks and just ignored any offers.
5-7: Larry’s Report
This evening we had a couple interesting visitors. One man walked by, and said thank God for what you’re doing, I was born in 61, before abortion was legal. I was given up for adoption. Had abortion been legal, I would’ve been aborted. Thanks again, he said. Then we had a young fella named Dillon, who came up and asked us, at what point does abortion become wrong. We explained to him the whole concept of life beginning at conception, and that abortion is wrong at any point after conception. Dillon also asked about exceptions for rape and incest. We explained that these are very difficult situations and the woman needs lots of love and support, but two wrongs don’t make a right, and abortion frequently does more harm to the woman, and doesn’t make things any better. We told him to check out silentnomore.com for some witness stories from both men and women who have been harmed by abortion. He was very interested to hear about that aspect, and thanked us. Then there was a lady who stopped by almost at the end. She was pushing a stroller, and as she came up and told us thank you very much for what you’re doing. Then she spun the stroller around to show off her four-week-old baby. She told us she had been in Planned Parenthood and pointed to the door, and said she was going to do it, but then came out and talked to the people on the sidewalk. She said thank you very much and thank God.
WOW!!!!! You saved the best for last, with Larry’s report of the happy mom with the 4 week old baby whose brave mommy chose Life. Did any of us know of this mom and baby before today?