40 Days For Life Indy

Sunshine in the rain

2010-03-15T11:59:00.000-04:00

The weather on Saturday afternoon was cloudy and rainy - a fitting recognition from nature of the sad activities taking place inside the building. There weren't many of us there in that time slot from noon until 1:00 - but we huddled together and prayed the Rosary and invoked the aid of Saint Michael. As our hour came to an end, we were joined by additional prayer warriors, who decided to remain in their vehicle due to the soggy weather, and the difficulty it presented for maneuvering a wheelchair. Therefore, we literally had the entrance to PP flanked with prayer on both sides, when a single young woman in a silver vehicle pulled in. She came to a sudden stop in the drive, but because she pulled up far enough to indicate that she wasn't seeking to engage in a discussion with us, we simply started to pray fervently to the Blessed Mother. After several minutes, the car made a wide turn and drove back out and away from the facility - with the young woman talking on her cell phone. While we don't know for sure what circumstances brought her to the PP that day, we were all encouraged by what appeared to be a definite change of plans! We continue to hope it also meant a change of heart.

Maureen Devlin

Strangers and new friends, seeking God

2010-03-03T11:37:00.002-05:00

First, we had a definite turnaround - blinker and slowdown, and then a reversal of thought. The car drove off!

Second, was the appearance of a young lady named Rachael who happened to drive by and decided to join us, on a whim! She hails from West Lafayette and was in town to teach a ballet class. Having a couple hours to kill in between obligations and happening upon our location, she stopped to participate because I "reminded her of her best friend's dad who she really looks up to". Indeed, God works in mysterious ways!

Additionally, there was a high school-aged couple who arrived in a Mustang as patrons. They were in visible distress, and the girl, especially, seemed tortured with her "predicament". It struck me as a situation where the popular jock gets together with the good looking gal and the "fun" relationship ends in a pregnancy, and guy pressures girl into abortion. If there is any way to broadcast a request for prayer particular for these two, please relay the sentiment. Their misled desperation struck my heart poignantly and I begged God to intercede.

Vince DeStefano
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Choices

2010-02-28T17:45:00.000-05:00

While praying and looking at the Planned Parenthood building I often began to think about my children.
My daughter is in heaven due to a choice made more than 28 years ago. She died in a place very similar to Planned Parenthood. My step-daughter, whom I did not raise, has three children.

My second choice, to marry my wonderful wife, meant that I would never be able to father another child.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a father seeing his child born into the world, to comfort his wife after a long labor and to hold his new born baby in his arms. Due to my choices I will never know this feeling, but God in his mercy has blessed me in other ways. He has given me children by another means. Because our step-daughter did not believe in abortion she had no choice but to choose life for her children. Though I lost my fatherhood, God in his limitless mercy has seen fit to allow me to experience "grandparenthood."

What is this fasting thing all about?

2010-02-24T15:22:00.001-05:00

I am looking forward to fasting during this 40 days prayer vigil and I want to reflect on the importance of fasting. Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food and drink for some time period in order to focus on spiritual growth through prayer. As we focus these 40 days of Lent on 40 Days For Life, those that participate are praying and fasting for a change of heart and for an end to abortion.

I believe fasting helps us to be more open to God’s will and guidance in our every day lives. We receive grace and strength from fasting and this helps us to grow in holiness, which enables us to bring more people to Christ. By seeking the Lord in this more intense way, we find it easier to hear God’s voice as we contemplate important decisions. Together this Lent, let us make fasting a gift we give back to God.

There has been a decline in the practice of fasting in recent decades, even though God’s people have been fasting for thousand of years and the bible documents the many positive results of fasting. Today’s society does not see much value in self-discipline or self-denial because we live in a culture of instant gratification.

However, through fasting and prayer, our physical hunger will uncover our underlying spiritual hunger. It is all about emptying ourselves so Jesus can fill us with His spiritual food. When done with the right disposition, fasting can help prepare us for the work God has in store for us – work that actually builds His kingdom here on earth. He wants us to work towards an end to all injustice especially the killing of His precious unborn children.

We cannot do it on our own- only God can deliver us from this evil. Only God can bring victory. As Jesus responded to his disciples when they asked why they couldn’t deliver out a certain evil spirit: He said “some can be delivered out only by prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29). We should consider this reality when we ask how and when this struggle against abortion will end here on earth.

Let us spend this Lenten season telling the Lord that we all want and need more of Him…. and less of us through fasting!

Joe Mennel

Carving out the snow

2010-02-22T11:41:00.002-05:00

Have you ever used a snow blower on grass? At 8:30 at night? Me neither- but as we cleared an area for prayer partners at the vigil site, some things kept me from getting cold:

I was warmed by the faith and Christ-like love which so many people would bring to this space during 40 Days.

I was warmed by the image of them standing amidst the snow. Our commitment cannot be discouraged or shaped by the climate we encounter- be it cold temperatures outside or lukewarm reactions inside the hearts of our brothers and sisters!

Lastly, I was warmed by the hope that 40 days hence, we'd be (hopefully!) standing in that spot wearing t-shirts, thinking about the ways God had blessed the "spring" campaign!

As the silence was broken by the motor of the snow blower, some powerful images struck me:

The Snow: an obstacle to our commitment. The snow and frozen ice, like all things, can (God willing) be shoveled aside through His power and intercession. Once we begin the work, His Grace will be sufficient, and difficult tasks will be rendered much more manageable. Remember- we are called to be faithful, not necessarily victorious. Only He knows when Spring and deliverance from this evil will arrive. Until then, He gives us Grace.

It is this Grace which enables people to step away from busy lives and come to 40 Days regardless of the weather. It is this Grace which fuels the sidewalk counselors who've been standing up for life year round in heat, chill, rain, and snow.

A Clearing in the Snow: the space on which we stand. Amidst a frozen tundra of the culture of death, there is a place which Christ has created for each of us to stand and grow in holiness. As we walk in faith and devotion, we discover these places.

Often these places are most unexpected. Many of had no idea, years ago, that we'd be quietly praying in the snow in front of an abortion mill in 2010. We are called to be a light on a hill (Mt 5:14). Everyone who sees you standing there in the cold- random motorists, abortion industry workers, scared women considering abortion, women regretting their decision, men regretting lost fatherhood- will be reminded, consciously or subconsciously, of the light of truth and Jesus' love.

Jesus sees you standing there, too. And His tender heart hears your prayers. His love is the truth; His love is what melts both snow and sin. His love and resurrection are the spring of new life.

As we shoveled and blew snow in front of Planned Parenthood that night, I imagined a female employee arriving to work there early the next morning. In my mind, I imagined she was the first to arrive- before anyone was inside the building or outside by the street. I imagined that pulling up in her car, she sees the clearing in the snow, and the cross which was carved out beside it. I imagined her pausing at this announcement of our impending return, and wondering for just a moment what drove people to do this twice a year. I imagined God's love reaching out to her as she looked upon the clearing, a safe place of love, acceptance, and life amidst the frozen snow. And I imagined her sitting in the warm car, wondering if she should be there.

Anonymous

Why We Fight

2010-02-21T09:12:00.002-05:00

“Band of Brothers,” a 2001 ten-part miniseries based on the book of the same name, follows a group of WWII paratroopers, E Company (“Easy Company”), through basic training, the D-Day invasion at Normandy, into occupied France and finally into Germany. Author Stephen Ambrose based his narrative on interviews with Easy Company veterans.
In the ninth episode, “Why We Fight,” the soldiers encounter a whole new realm of evil. It’s April 1945, the war in Europe is all but over, and the men of Easy Company are stationed in the German town of Landsberg awaiting orders. One day a few of them venture out to explore the area. They come to the edge of a forest, and before them stands a high barbed wire fence with a locked gate. Behind it are hundreds, perhaps thousands of dazed, emaciated, starving prisoners.
The men of Easy Company have seen fierce battle, but this is a horror of an altogether different kind, and they are speechless.
After they set about meeting the prisoners’ basic needs, like food, water, and medical attention, they force the townspeople from Landsberg out to the camp to make them look, straight on, at the human atrocity which has been taking place in their own back yard and presumably with their complicity.

This scene came to my mind yesterday as I stood and prayed, quietly, outside a Planned Parenthood clinic. It was Day 1 of 40 Days for Life.

Terrell Clemmons

The Lenten Vigil‏

2010-02-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

Well, it is time for the 40 Days for Life Spring 2010 campaign of prayer and fasting to end abortion. This past Sunday we had a very nice Pro-life Mass celebrated by Fr. Jeremy with Fr. Todd. Thirty-five people where in attendance at St. Monica Catholic Church on Michigan Road, not too far from Planned Parenthood. Afterward about 15 of us went to the abortion facility to pray. Three or four years ago St Monica's was the first to begin praying at the Planned Parenthood site even before the abortion facility opened. How tragic that in that neighborhood, three stone throws away from where families live, children's lives are ended every week.

Thankfully St Monica's was there and along with others from area churches under the name of Shield of Roses, prayer partners continue to go there every Saturday morning, rain or shine to pray. Usually there are five to ten people who pray there, but what if there were more? What if every Saturday twenty or thirty people showed up to pray together? What if everyday someone - you or me took time out of our day to pray just one hour a week in front of Planned Parenthood? If you haven't tried it yet you might be surprised at how rewarding it can be. Bring a friend with you and pray together or pray by yourself.

With Lent coming please pray just one hour a week for an end to abortion. Pray at home or at church, and if you are so moved please join us at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil site in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 8590 Georgetown Road. Our vigil is peaceful and prayerful and can be a time of reflection, a time to examine oneself and one's relationship with our Lord.

At this place where death dwells, God is still present. It is as though we are at the foot of the cross with Mary and John where we ask Him for forgiveness, for the conversion of our hearts. At the foot of the cross we pray for those who feel helpless and for those who are. At the foot of the cross there is suffering, but there is also joy. It is through the prayer partners that God brings joy and the chance for a mother and a father to think again about their choice.

Eric Slaughter
Coordinator of 40 Days for Life Indianapolis
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

Spring Opening Mass

2010-02-15T11:02:00.003-05:00

About 30 people participated in the 40 Days for Life kick-off Mass hosted by St. Monica parish. Fr. Jeremy Gries and Fr. Todd Goodson concelebrated the Mass. At the end of the Mass Fr. Jeremy gave a special blessing to all those present. He used the Church's blessing for missionaries telling our 40 Days people they were missionaries for the gospel of life.

After the Mass everyone was invited to have coffee and bagels and fellowship for a while before taking off to the 86th St. abortion facility to pray with Shield of Roses and to learn more about the upcoming 40 Days for Life prayer campaign.

Shield of Roses is a group started over 4 years ago by Fr. Shaun Whittington to pray at the 86th St. facility. Parishioners from St. Monica and other parishes surrounding the facility pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Saturday morning at 9:30 am. Shield of Roses would love to have you join them any Saturday of the year. (During Lent they will begin at 9:00 rather than 9:30.) On the 13th, after the 40 Days Mass, about 15 people braved the snow and the cold to pray for an hour.

Steve Martin
St. Monica

PRO LIFE MASS

2010-02-11T21:36:00.001-05:00

Join Shield of Roses from St. Monica Church and 40 Days for Life for a pro-life Mass Saturday, February 13 at 8:00 am at St. Monica Catholic Church. The purpose of Shield of Roses and 40 Days for Life is to witness to the truth about abortion.

Following Mass coffee and bagels will be served, after which all are invited to join us from 9:30 to 10:30 am in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 8590 Georgetown Road. You can join Shield of Roses every Saturday at this time.

THANK YOU

2009-11-10T15:44:00.000-05:00

The 40 Days for Life Indianapolis team would like to thank you for joining us for the prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood. Thank you for fasting and offering up prayers at church, at home or while driving in your car. Nationwide 534 babies were saved, 11 right here in Indianapolis. We may not know how many more lives and souls have been saved by God through your efforts until our appointed time, but we celebrate these lives today. Although the fall 40 Days has ended we ask you to continue to fast and pray for the unborn and their parents.

“People notice the work you are doing.”

2009-10-19T20:06:00.001-04:00

Day 27

As clouds, wind and the threat of rain seemed to be the norm of the day praying at Planned Parenthood, today was just a “normal day.” Intent on praying our rosaries, Don, my prayer partner, and I didn’t pay attention to the noisy car rolling past until it suddenly made a U-turn and parked on the shoulder of the road across Georgetown Road. The flashers came on and the female driver jumped out hurriedly and ran to the opposite side of the car.

Don asked, “wonder what this is?” Not wanting to read too much into it, I replied that maybe she had car trouble. She busied herself in the backseat and then it became apparent that she was removing a child from his car seat. As they sprinted across the road, one could notice she was dressed rather oddly. Don stated that if she was coming to pray, she was underdressed for the type of day it was. I replied that I would have to give her my coat. I’m not sure how to describe the way she was dressed. It reminded me of how a damsel or a “lady in waiting” would be dressed a long time ago.

Standing in front of me, she didn’t say anything for a long time. I couldn’t help but wonder why she had a tiara on her head. I felt very tall and at 5’7”, I towered over her. Don and I casted glances at each other wondering what to make of this when I figured I’d better make the first move. But before I had the chance, she, while panting and out of breath, proceeded to introduce herself and her nine year old son, Shawn whom she introduced as “the light of my life.”

She was very, very excited and it was somewhat difficult to keep up with her. She talked very urgently and I don’t recall what she was rattling on about. I must confess and I am a bit ashamed to admit that I didn’t have an initial favorable impression of her and I even thought that maybe she was high on something. As it turns out, she was “high” on life. Did I mention that she was dressed very oddly and wore a tiara on her head and that she talked very, very fast?

There was a bit of a lull in the conversation when she suddenly blurted out, “he was supposed to be aborted.” She was referring to her son Shawn who wasn’t listening. He was busy being rambunctious and munching on a caramel apple. She went on to say she stopped by to “tell everyone here that you’re making a difference.” I was caught completely off guard by her initial statement, so it took just a while for her words to sink in. She must have read the “deer caught in the headlights” look on my face because she said, “yeah, I was going to have an abortion but someone, I don’t even know who it was, called me before the appointed time and told me they knew what I was planning and told me all these reasons why I shouldn’t go through with it.” She further explained, “I figured that was the voice of God! Who would call me like that, someone I didn’t even know? So there was no way I was going through with the abortion.” My only comment was a very sincere “Praise God!” and as she continued to talk, I kept repeating it. I felt the urge to give her a hug too.

She told us another story that she had an older son, the result of rape, and that she had him adopted and is now with a “nice, Christian family.” She continued to praise everyone for our efforts and told us that we should know “people notice the work you are doing.” She also wanted information on crisis pregnancy to give to a friend who is interested in starting that mission in the town where she is from, near Illinois. Giving her all the pamphlets and links that might be of use to that end, we thanked her for taking the time to tell us her very heart warming story, her words of encouragement, and brightening what was until then, a very gloomy afternoon….she left as she came, running with Shawn in tow and Don and I saying, Wow!

So take heart fellow prayer angels; people do notice us out there!

Oh, as for the odd way she was dressed… she was returning home from the Renaissance Fair…that explained a lot!

Jerry Mattingly
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

Keep Praying

2009-10-17T13:17:00.004-04:00

Day 24

It’s Friday at 11am. I found myself running a little late. I was still trying to get my 16 month old of the car seat; with his new winter coat this was a little harder. Once I had my son out of the car, I carefully walked across the street. I stopped and talked with the sidewalk counselors. They told me the great news that yesterday three women chose life. This lifted my spirits on this bitterly cold day.

As a greeter and member of the core team, I greeted the prayer partners that were with me for this hour. Once I got settled in I started my rosary. Since I was carrying my son, who is heavier with his new winter jacket, I couldn’t carry my rosary. I found myself getting extremely distracted. The coldness and the extra weight were weighing me down. I decided that it might be too cold for my son to stay the full hour and since my hour usually has more than two people I knew it was okay. So, I decided I would leave after the half hour prayer time.

Since I couldn’t pray my rosary, I decided to just try talking to God and asking him to protect the women that went in for an abortion, their unborn babies and for the conversion of all those who worked inside those treacherous walls.

After praying at this abortion facility for almost four years, I know what usually happens. Today the police officer who was here because it was a killing day left before his usual time. This is not normal because they usually stay until the last woman has come for her abortion appointment.

Then a sheriff car pulled into the parking lot. I thought all of this was strange. After about five minutes the police officer pulled forward like he was going to leave, but he didn’t. He got out of his car and started walking towards me. I was shocked. In my head I was wondering how he knew I was the greeter.

He came to me not because I was the greeter but because he had received a complaint about a woman with a small child who had been outside of the abortion facility for the last 2 to 3 hours. I told the officer I had only been there since 11am. He smiled warmly and asked if I was okay, I replied yes. Then he asked if my son was okay, and I replied yes. He said he had to come out because of the complaint. He smiled again and told me to have a good day. Then he walked to his car and left.

A few minutes later, the first police officer came back.

This incident is perplexing to me. I am thankful that someone is worried enough about the health of my son to call the police. I only wish this same person, or persons, had the same compassion about the hundreds of babies that are being KILLED inside those treacherous walls. What a contradiction!

I also find it interesting that they would resort to lying by telling the police officer I was out there for several hours. I wonder why they feel the need to lie.

However, this situation did not distract me from what I was supposed to do. After I told my prayer partners what the officer talked to me about, I led them in the 40 Days for Life Prayer that we wrote for our prayer campaign.

Please don’t let any distractions keep you from what you are called to do from the Lord. Keep praying! Keep coming out!

Dear Lord, help me to open my heart to you during these 40 days of prayer and fasting for the end of abortion in our world. Help me to inspire those in my community to stand against this evil we are facing. Be in the hearts, minds, and words of all those who are participating in the 40 Days for Life Campaign. We ask you to protect the unborn, heal those affected by abortion, and convert the hearts of those supporting abortion. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Elaine Alvarez
St. Luke Catholic Church

St. Teresa of Avila Pray for us!

2009-10-16T17:51:00.001-04:00

Day 23

Feast of St Teresa of Avila, Oct 15th

At times it is hard for Pro Life people not to become discouraged. The news reports often are less than edifying, and many aspects of society seem to be immersed in the culture of death. We can become despondent.

We can take solace in the words of St. Teresa of Avila, 16th Century Carmelite mystic who (along with her friend St. John of the Cross) brought along much-needed reform in the Church. Teresa became the first female doctor of the Church.

Often when we become despondent about abortion in our society, we focus on the human element- and how little we can do. The truth is, there is little we can do, but we can all do something, and through prayer, God can bring about change. In the mean time, we are called to trust in Him and be at peace.

St. Teresa wrote:

Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes
God never changes
Patience attains everything
He who has God wants for nothing
God alone is enough.

Joseph Lehner
Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary

Special Alert

2009-10-16T17:48:00.003-04:00

Thursday, October 15th three women turned away from the abortion facility and chose life for their babies. Please keep these women and their unborn babies in your prayers.

Devotion

2009-10-08T16:16:00.004-04:00

Day 15

Please read through the Day 15 devotional by clicking on the link before continuing...

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day15print.pdf

It is miraculous to me that this particular devotional comes on the day after Evangelium Vitae's, the Gospel of Life's, Introduction and First Chapter were proclaimed from 5PM to 6:30PM last evening at the Planned Parenthood abortion mill in Indianapolis. In Evangelium Vitae, the Gospel of Life, section 25 we read:
"You have come to the sprinkled blood" (cf. Heb 12: 22, 24): signs of hope and invitation to commitment

25. "The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground" (Gen 4:10). It is not only the voice of the blood of Abel, the first innocent man to be murdered, which cries to God, the source and defender of life. The blood of every other human being who has been killed since Abel is also a voice raised to the Lord. In an absolutely singular way, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us, the voice of the blood of Christ, of whom Abel in his innocence is a prophetic figure, cries out to God: "You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God ... to the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel" (12:22, 24).

The blood of Christ, while it reveals the grandeur of the Father's love, shows how precious man is in God's eyes and how priceless the value of his life. The Apostle Peter reminds us of this: "You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Pt 1:18-19). Precisely by contemplating the precious blood of Christ, the sign of his self-giving love (cf. Jn 13:1), the believer learns to recognize and appreciate the almost divine dignity of every human being and can exclaim with ever renewed and grateful wonder: "How precious must man be in the eyes of the Creator, if he gained so great a Redeemer' (Exsultet of the Easter Vigil), and if God gave his only Son' in order that man should not perish but have eternal life' (cf. Jn 3:16)!". 20

Furthermore, Christ's blood reveals to man that his greatness, and therefore his vocation, consists in the sincere gift of self. Precisely because it is poured out as the gift of life, the blood of Christ is no longer a sign of death, of definitive separation from the brethren, but the instrument of a communion which is richness of life for all. Whoever in the Sacrament of the Eucharist drinks this blood and abides in Jesus (cf. Jn 6:56) is drawn into the dynamism of his love and gift of life, in order to bring to its fullness the original vocation to love which belongs to everyone (cf. Gen 1:27; 2:18-24).

It is the sprinkled blood. A symbol and prophetic sign of it had been the blood of the sacrifices of the Old Covenant, whereby God expressed his will to communicate his own life to men, purifying and consecrating them (cf. Ex 24:8; Lev 17:11). Now all of this is fulfilled and comes true in Christ: his is the sprinkled blood which redeems, purifies and saves; it is the blood of the Mediator of the New Covenant "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:28). This blood, which flows from the pierced side of Christ on the Cross (cf. Jn 19:34), "speaks more graciously" than the blood of Abel; indeed, it expresses and requires a more radical "justice", and above all it implores mercy, 19 it makes intercession for the brethren before the Father (cf. Heb 7:25), and it is the source of perfect redemption and the gift of new life.

It is from the blood of Christ that all draw the strength to commit themselves to promoting life. It is precisely this blood that is the most powerful source of hope, indeed it is the foundation of the absolute certitude that in God's plan life will be victorious. "And death shall be no more", exclaims the powerful voice which comes from the throne of God in the Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21:4). And Saint Paul assures us that the present victory over sin is a sign and anticipation of the definitive victory over death, when there "shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory'. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' " (1 Cor 15:54-55)."

While reading the truth to the darkness, with love and the understanding that victory is now, sprinkled with the precious blood of Jesus, the light rain subsided and the darkness could see the futility of its efforts...Hope was present in the grassy area as we stood getting to know one another better.

If you wish, plan to join in this Saturday morning's 7AM to 8:30AM second run through of Evangelium Vitae's, the Gospel of Life's, Introduction and First Chapter. Also, know that Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4 & the Conclusion will be proclaimed / read aloud on these same days and times (Tuesdays 5PM to 6:30PM and Saturdays 7AM to 8:30AM) during the next three consecutive weeks following this first week.

God Bless You!

Ron Kramer
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Vignette

2009-10-03T14:46:00.002-04:00

Day 10

Outside of the abortion processing machine, in the cool wind and cloudy skies, witnesses gathered together for a common cause: relief to the scourge of abortion. It was spiritually jarring and emotionally disturbing to stand in close proximity to such a thoroughly malevolent asylum. Beginning with recitation of the Holy Rosary one nevertheless finds a way to accept the graces offered to enter into a deep meditation.

But then – mirabile dictu – through the hubbub of Georgetown Road, there was a tiny whisper of sanity: Nothing is more precious and sacred than the gift of human life. Emmanuel – God with us – is here.

Noted Pro-life apologist Stephanie Gray remarks “There is something very important and beautiful about the nature of women: that they are to be mothers (whether in spiritual or physical form). A pregnant woman becomes a tabernacle enveloping a person made in the image of the Divine”. The supreme exemplar of this insight is the Incarnation of Our Savior in the most blessed womb of Mary the Great Mother of God.

In its most profound reality, love is essentially a gift; love begins with the couple but does not end with them, because it makes them capable of the greatest possible gift, the gift by which they become cooperators with God for giving life to a new human person. Thus the couple, while giving themselves to one another, give not just themselves but also the reality of children, who are a living reflection of their love, a permanent sign of conjugal unity and a living and inseparable synthesis of their being a father and a mother (cf. Familiaris Consortio, 14).

Yet, contesting authentic giftedness stands the prevailing attitudes of the clique (this small, sectarian coterie of mainstream abortioneers). Abortion opposes love; the evil of abortion dissolves unity; the organized slaughter of innocents extends its weeping darkness to fill yet another vast cemetery.

Perceiving hidden and secret things before us in the depths of Planned Parenthood’s building, fortified and guarded with arms as it was, the realization that prayer alone has the power to break through the steel, brick, and security glass happens. Watching Dr. Havoc drive off in his glamorous sports car after his laborious day at the office emptying tummy bumps was chilling.

Pope Benedict XVI’s reflection reminds us all of the deepest meaning of authentic love.

“Love is Suffering”

We must think of love as suffering. Only if we are ready to endure it as suffering and thus ever again to accept each other and once again take the other to ourselves, only then can a lifelong relationship develop. If, on the contrary, we say when we get to the critical point, I want to avoid that, and we separate, then what we are really renouncing is the true opportunity that is to be found in man and woman being turned toward each other and in the reality of love (Pope Benedict, God and the Word).

Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Timothy J.A. O’Donnell
St. John Vianney Parish

Conviction

2009-09-30T13:45:00.001-04:00

Day 7

“The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

We are in a spiritual battle for the lives of little ones and hearts of men. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12. God continues in this passage to tell us to put on the weapons of our warfare, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Ephesians 6:18

“We simply must create in ourselves and in our people a wartime mentality. Otherwise the Biblical teaching about the urgency of prayer and the vigilance of prayer, the watching in prayer, and the perseverance in prayer, and the danger of abandoning prayer will make no sense and find no resonance in our hearts.” John Piper; Prayer, the Work of Missions

God is at work in Indianapolis in response to his people’s prayers. As I prayed for the conviction of sin for those who were working at the Planned Parenthood’s abortion mill yesterday, God reminded me of the woman who had come up to look at the Teens for Life display at the Back to School Fun Fair. As I began to explain the development of the child represented by the fetal models and she stopped me and said “Oh, I know it is a child at this stage (12 weeks). At 9 weeks I saw their little fingers and little legs and toes, because I worked at an abortion clinic and was in charge of checking to see if we got the entire baby out of the mother. I went home each night and could not sleep. You see I had had an abortion and I did not know. I had to quit I could not live with myself. “

We do not always get to see the answers to our prayers, but God allowed me to see an answer to mine. I have been praying for years for those who are doing these killings to be convicted of sin and to repent and find healing. God was gracious to show me His work and to encourage my prayers.

God also encouraged me yesterday with 10 people to pray with me at the 3:00 p.m. hour. It was a miracle because I was the only person signed up at that hour and none of my friends or church members had responded to my mass emails to join me. Monday evening I asked God to bring his faithful prayer warriors and by 3:15 p.m. God had brought 10 people to pray. A friend who had her work cancelled, a dear woman from Franklin who did not know where PP was located and asked the Lord to direct her, a young woman with baby and several others who just showed up and prayed. Almost all had never participated in the prayer vigil before. Praise God for rising up his faithful.

Cathy Price
Teens for Life of Indianapolis
Right to Life of Indianapolis

My first time at planned parenthood

2009-09-30T08:53:00.001-04:00

Day 6

Even though I have prayed in front of an abortion clinic, I found my first time in front of Planned Parenthood a bit daunting. I arrived a bit late due to traffic, but there was a lovely few people already there praying. As I said my rosary, I couldn’t help but just stare at the building. I couldn’t fathom that such horrific events as abortion could occur within those walls of the purple decorated building. I looked up into they sky, hoping for something from God to remind me that He was truly present, despite the place that stood before me. I saw rays of sunshine beaming through the clouds onto the center and recalled that wherever there is darkness, there shall be light. I can imagine the guardian angels of all the mothers and little lives inside dancing around nearby, ready and willing to hold their hands to heaven. I thank God for the chance to be a witness of His love for life and pray that the mothers see how much He loves them and their unborn child.

Melanie Rosswurm
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Regret of Lost Fatherhood

2009-09-29T17:49:00.011-04:00

This morning as I read the "DAY 7: Not just moms & babies; TV special" email from David Bereit I was struck. David shared the story of a young man in Houston, Texas during the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil at the Planned Parenthood abortion facility. The young man's girl friend, the mother of their pre-born baby and the baby's grandmother had determined that the baby was to be killed through abortion.

While his story is different from my own one thing remains the same. Neither he or I had any say in the ultimate outcome of the situation. Neither he or I could do anything to save the life of our child. But it was the last part of the story that struck me most painfully.

"All I could tell him was what I truly believed -- that today, his child knows that his/her father fought for it. That to his child, he is a hero and that someday he would know that also."

I did not try to save my baby. I did not speak up for her. I actually paid someone to end her life. Not until recently have I come to understand that my baby has forgiven me. That she knows her mother and I did not understand who she was. That she was a child of God. That she IS alive and loves us.

If those 27 years ago someone had been praying outside would we have changed our minds? Would we have choosen life for our baby? Would I have had the courage to speak? The courage to shed tears.

On the day of the opening rally for this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign, as we processed along 86th Street I saw for the first time a billboard which read, "I regret lost fatherhood." I couldn't believe it. A billboard as big as a cloud in the sky saying what I feel. Saying something that nobody wants to hear about, nobody wants to talk about. Even with the healing I have come through to this point another layer was released, because the truth was right there for everyone to see. I thank God for the people who paid for that billboard to be there, to witness to the truth of abortion.

After all these many years, I have accepted the forgiveness and mercy of our Lord, and now I have the couarge to shed those tears in thanksgiving for the assurance and the hope that my little girl is with Jesus waiting for me to hold her in my arms for all eternity.

Eric Slaughter

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

The Archangels

2009-09-29T10:06:00.003-04:00

Although originally only dedicated to St. Michael, today is the feast day of the named Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. All three Archangels are especially appropriate to 40 Days for Life and it is a blessing that this feast falls when it does!

St. Michael lead the heavenly host against Lucifer (and the angels rebelling with him), banishing them from Paradise. The cry of Lucifer was: “I will be like the Most High!” This sentiment seems to lurk behind many modern activities such as embryonic stem cell research, cloning, abortion, and euthanasia. All of these actions assume powers rightly held by the creator. “I will be like the Most High!”

St Michael's name in Hebrew comes from his cry: “Who is like unto God?” And because of his victory over Lucifer, he was given the highest place among the angels.

St. Gabriel brought the message to the Virgin about God becoming a man (recall this was why Lucifer rebelled- he said “I will not serve” once God revealed He had taken on humanity). Gabriel, along with all creation, held his breath awaiting Our Lady's answer.

St. Raphael helped Tobiah marry Rachel, and brought sight to Tobit. His name means “God Heals” and we pray that St. Raphael can intercede to help everyone see the truth of a tiny humans, and heal everyone who has been hurt by abortion.

Pope Leo XIII had a vision in 1886 and immediately wrote a long prayer in response. He stipulated that a portion of the prayer be said after every Low Mass from then on. Although this practice was stopped in 1965, the prayer has remained in use:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Hispanic Catholic Movement

2009-09-29T09:59:00.001-04:00

Day 5

On Sundays, Luis Agayo and his wife spend from 1pm to 7pm in front of planned parenthood praying for the end to abortion. During this time, friends of Luis come and go and sometimes as many as 30 people will be there praying! Most of them belong to a movement called the Hispanic Catholic Movement. They pray the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and sing pro life songs.

The vigil takes place only from 1pm to 7pm on Sundays because of church schedules. There are not enough people to cover the morning hours.

Join Luis and his wife on Sundays by bringing your whole family to pray to end abortion.

Waiting for the Rain

2009-09-27T21:39:00.000-04:00

Day 4

It was 3:12 and I was late getting to Planned Parenthood. Donna had called to say she had just left the prayer vigil site and there were other people there. Thank you, Lord! It doesn't look good for the coordinator to be late, but that is what happened Saturday. As I drove up there were seven people praying. I honked my horn in response to the sign held by a child saying, "Honk if You're Pro-life." During the next three hours there would be many honks and a few blaring horns from those who disagree with our understanding of life, and that's okay because I prayed for them too.

I arrived to see our new welcome box, nicely made by Joseph. Funny, I seem to remember a story about a carpenter named Joseph. The box has some drawers containing prayers that can be read and a bible. There is also information about abortion and resources where mothers considering life for their baby can get help. This was useful when a woman came with her daughter to pray. She wanted some information about what abortion is, and how it affects the mother. I gave her a brochure and directed her to the "Helpful Links" on our website: http://40daysforlife.com/indianapolis/index.cfm?load=page&page=7
In addition to abortion there is information about Project Gabriel and Life Centers where a mother can find help and love from people who care about her and her baby.

Then something special happened when Amanda came. Amanda was celebrating her fifteenth birthday and what she wanted to do on her birthday was to come keep the prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood. It was truly inspiring to see this family, Amanda, her brother Adam and their mom and dad on Amanda's birthday spending an hour praying for an end to abortion.

At around 5:00 a few dark clouds started to appear. The temperature cooled and my prayer partner, Jerry, commented that rain was coming. Rain had been in the forecast, but so far things had been dry. We decided to pray a rosary for the change of the hearts and minds of abortion minded men and women. We also asked for the rain to hold off until 8:00.

At around 6:00 with my shift ended I headed home leaving Jerry and two others to finish up the vigil for the day, not a drop of rain to be seen. I do believe in miracles and I do believe that our prayers are answered every day. It may be a coincidence, but at about 8:05 it began to rain.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Eric Slaughter
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

Evangelium Vitae/ The Gospel of Life

2009-09-27T19:34:00.000-04:00

The Indianapolis 40 Days for Life prayer vigil will include a prayerful reading/proclamation of Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life......For those not familiar - Evangelium Vitae, the Gospel of Life, was written by Pope John Paul II and published in 1995 to all people of good will. It explains without ambiguity the lies we are being taught by the world and the unchanging biblical truth/standard that we are all accountable to accept and obey concerning the dignity & inviolability of human life.

It will take approximately 6 hours total to prayerfully read the encyclical. Each series will be conducted outside Planned Parenthood on Georgetown Rd. at 86th St. Please come for one or all sessions. You can download Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, using this link:
http://www.catholic-pages.com/documents/evangelium_vitae.pdf
One reading/proclamation series will be on four consecutive Tuesday evenings on October 6, 13, 20, & 27 from 5:00PM to 6:30PM.

Another reading/proclamation series will be on consecutive Saturday mornings on October 10, 17, 24, & 31 from 7AM to 8:30AM.

Day 1 will cover the INTRODUCTION and CHAPTER I THE VOICE OF YOUR BROTHER'S BLOOD CRIES TO ME FROM THE GROUND PRESENT-DAY THREATS TO HUMAN LIFE
Day 2 will cover CHAPTER II I CAME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE CONCERNING LIFE
Day 3 will cover CHAPTER III YOU SHALL NOT KILL GOD'S HOLY LAW
Day 4 will cover CHAPTER IV YOU DID IT TO ME FOR A NEW CULTURE OF HUMAN LIFE and the CONCLUSION

For me personally, reading / proclaiming Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, at the abortion mill is:
1) a labor of love that will have eternal benefits
2) a powerful prayer (for an end to abortion, euthanasia, and treating one another like objects)
3) the least I can do for those that do not have a voice and for the deceived
4) an honor and a privilege
5) walking humbly and obediently with God
Sharing these words with one another, in the name of Jesus Christ, will be a joyful blessing for all. If you would like to participate, but need a ride please call Ron & Mary Kramer, 317-527-9531.

Ron Kramer
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

A communal sacrifice in the "blue-dark" of the morning

2009-09-26T09:19:00.000-04:00

Day 3

Most of you who know me know I am not a morning person. So, when Joe Lehner was urging us to dig a little deeper and sacrifice more this year, I knew for me that would involve taking morning shifts. And so, I’ve signed up for a 7 a.m. shift on Tuesdays and Fridays.

As I arrived at the mill at 7 a.m., it was still pitch dark. It wasn’t even the early dawn, “blue-dark” yet, as my 5-year-old would call it. But even in the early morning darkness as I drove up, I could see two or three other figures preparing the sign-up sheets, pulling out signs and getting ready to pray. I wasn’t sacrificing alone. In fact, all across the country there were bleary-eyed pro-lifers pulling out signs and beginning to pray in complete solidarity not only with one another, but with the preborn children who will be sacrificed at these facilities. That was a comforting thought, and the subject of my prayer time this morning.

It’s this solidarity in sacrifice that makes the 40 Days for Life vigils so powerful and so effective. We are joining together as one pro-life family, both born and preborn, to pray for God’s merciful hand to intervene to stay the killing. We’re praying on behalf of our littlest brothers and sisters, we’re praying on behalf of our community and with over 200 other cities across the country, we’re praying on behalf of our nation. This solidarity is also what makes the 40 Days for Life vigil uncomfortable. We’re joining our sufferings together, as well as our prayers. We’re not only taking on the discomfort of early mornings, or rains storms or the occasional foul gesture or word from someone passing by, we’re also taking on the pain of the others praying in front of other abortion mills, the sacrifices made by sidewalk counselors and other pro-lifers, and yes, to a lesser extent, we’re taking on the pain of the 3,300 children who will be sacrificed today.

As President of Right to Life of Indianapolis, our citywide pro-life advocacy organization, I get to see the fruits of this solidarity built by 40 Days for Life. Not only are pro-lifers coming together and working together, but we’re identifying more with the preborn. Solidarity in our sacrifice is helping all of us be more effective voices on their behalf. The sacrifice of waking before the roosters, fasting during the day and enduring bad weather and bad tempers only helps us show the world what’s hidden from view in the dark building looming behind us. By joining with each other in our sufferings, we make the suffering of the children that much more visible.

Marc Tuttle
St. Luke

Special Alert

2009-09-25T16:19:00.000-04:00

A woman on her way into the abortion center this morning allowed Denny Woelfel, a sidewalk counselor, to pray over her and accepted a pamphlet of information from him. After she went into Planned Parenthood, she shared the information with the family of a 13 year old, who was there for an abortion. As they drove out, the mother of the 13 year old told Denny about the encounter inside the mill and that their hearts had been touched. With the support of her family, the 13 year old chose life for her baby!

God's Providence

2009-09-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

Day 2

Today started out with my double booking myself. I checked my time slot to be out at pp and saw that there were other people to cover my original time. Much to my surprise there was no one listed for the 3pm (Divine Mercy Hour), so I felt it was meant that I cover this time. This allowed me to help as a Eucharistic Minister at 12:15pm in my parish.

When I got to pp there were other people there - IN THE RAIN. There was a man from South Bend that was in town for business and decided to stop and pray. What a statement that makes. We have to be there not only in the nice weather but also when it's not so nice.

Mary Dougherty was out there. We had met before at various planning meetings. As we were getting ready to leave she asked me about a meeting we had in the Carmel Deanery. I have been working on getting the pro-life groups together to share information about what we are doing. Mary is doing the same thing for the Indianapolis North Deanery. Now we are looking at both Deaneries sharing information. Talk about the Holy Spirit making things happen and all this in front of pp.

It turned out to be a very nice rainy day.

Ray Janko
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Padre Pio Pray For Us

2009-09-24T14:01:00.000-04:00

Day 1

As I stood in front of Planned Parenthood this morning in the dark at 7 AM I was thinking that today is the Feastday of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) and how fitting it was that our 40 Days For Life Prayer vigil started on this special day.

In fact, the ultimate reason for the apostolic effectiveness of Padre Pio, the profound root of so much spiritual fruitfulness can be found in that intimate and constant union with God, attested to by his long hours spent in prayer and in the confessional. He loved to repeat, "I am a poor Franciscan who prays" convinced that "prayer is the best weapon we have, a key that opens the heart of God".

That is still true today that prayer and forgiveness is the best we can do in today’s world.

How appropriate are these words of Jesus, when we think of them as applied to us.

Dear humble and beloved St. Padre Pio;

Teach us, we ask you, humility of heart so we may be counted among the little ones of the Gospel and the unborn, to whom the Father promised to reveal the mysteries of his Kingdom.

Help us to pray without ceasing as you did, certain that God knows what we need even before we ask him. Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will be able to recognize right away in the poor and suffering of these poor defenseless babies.

Sustain us in the hour of the combat and of the trial against death and, if we fall, make us experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness.

Grant us your tender devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother.

Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage here on earth toward the blessed homeland, where we hope to arrive in order to contemplate forever the glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Joe Mennel

St. Barnabas

Kick Off Rally

2009-09-20T21:38:00.000-04:00

Sunday's Kick off Rally was very special. The day started out gloomy and rainy. All who were involved prayed for the rain to hold out during our walk. And it did!!

We decided to have a holy hour and benediction before the rally, something we had not done before. We know God comes first and what better way to pray to Him for a successful 40 Days than this. The holy hour took place at 12:30pm, was led by Fr. Joseph Newton from St. Luke's parish and seminarians from the archdiocese assisted him. Praise the Lord for our youth who are so willing to help! One of the more than 30 people that participated in the holy hour said it was a beautiful way to start the 40 Days for Life campaign.

The rally was very inspirational. Shawn Carney, one of the founders of 40 Days for Life, was our keynote speaker. He spoke at our last kick off rally in the spring and was even more inspiring this time. We were treated to a special treat because his wife, Marilisa, another one of the founders for 40 Days for Life, also spoke. She was so excited to be here with us and excited for the chance to speak to all of us. She is a very warm and caring mother of three and extremely passionate about the prolife movement!

Luis Aguayo from the Hispanic Catholic Family Movement group also addressed the audience of more than 130 people. He is so dedicated to saving innocent lives and has participated in all four of our 40 Days for Life campaigns. This time Luis showed us he is starting to learn more English and addressed us in English with a beautiful story about how he is trying to get the Hispanic community and his parish priest more involved.

Everyone left the rally energized and excited. Most of the people made the 2.5 mile walk to Planned Parenthood. It was beautiful to see the sea of people walking along 86th Street, standing for life. I stayed in the back for most of the walk and it was amazing to see all the people walking and praying for the unborn and the end to abortion. Prayers and songs could be heard in both Spanish and English.

Upon arriving at Planned Parenthood, we gathered for the Rosary. We prayed it by alternating the Our Fathers and the Hail Mary's in English and Spanish. Once we had completed the Rosary, Father Noah Casey, also from St. Luke parish, encouraged our efforts and gave us a blessing.

With that, the rally concluded and now we are called to schedule our time to come and pray every week. I hope we can all wait one hour with the Lord these 40 Days.

Elaine Alvarez
St. Luke

Anticipation

2009-09-18T21:52:00.000-04:00

As I sit here tonight holding my precious sleeping infant, awaiting the Kick Off Rally tomorrow, I praise God for the gift of life. I think about how my life has completely changed since I had my son, and for the better. At the same time, mixed emotions overcome me. I become a little sad remembering how 6 years ago I was not in the best of places. Alone and scared, because I was separated from my abusive ex-husband. Alone and scared, because I was raped and as a result became pregnant.

What was I to do? Where was I to go? Who would believe me? Who would help me? Too many questions occupied my mind. No longer being able to keep this secret, I had to tell someone, so at five months pregnant I told my parents. But not everything. Out of fear and shame, I did not tell them about the rape. Everyone was happy and excited, but I was not. How could I be? I put on a good face and tried to go along with everyone else. My ex-husband and I got back together.

One night, I could not take it anymore. It was too much for me. I broke down crying and spilled my heart out to my ex-husband. I told him I was raped. He made me call my family right away. I felt ashamed. My mom asked me about adoption and I spent a lot of nights thinking about it long and hard.

Finally, two weeks before my due date, I decided it would be best for my baby to have a mother and father. My ex-husband had left me again so there would not be a father figure. Being adopted myself, I knew the advantages and disadvantages. I knew that for my baby the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. I was able to pick the adopting parents and met them before the birth. In fact, they were in the delivery room when my baby boy was born.

Six years later, I still know and feel I made the right decision, but I miss him.

So, tonight as I write this, I think about the women who go in for an abortion and wonder how I can make a difference. I realize that I can make a difference by being there praying for them, praying to God that their mind changes away from abortion. I also believe, hope actually, that these words can make a difference, that they can help them see that there are other, better, choices.

I am so glad for this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign. I am excited to stand up for the unborn at tomorrow's Kick Off Rally and to stand outside Planned Parenthood. I am so thankful for this event because I believe it truly touches the hearts of the women who come there for an abortion.

I am eagerly anticipating the Lord's goodness in this fall's campaign.

A woman who by the grace of God chose life

VIGIL: TO WATCH ONE HOUR

2009-09-17T19:41:00.000-04:00

“And they went to a place which was called Gethsem'ane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray." And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch." “
(Mat. 14:32-34)

The Sun is still below the horizon, one car and then two more move pass the building and park at the side of the road. Three people emerge into the chilled morning air and walk slowly to the grassy area in front of the building. There is a row of trees planted delicately in an alternating pattern just beyond the property line; an attempt to soften to the eye the true purpose of this place. The building, with a brick veneer, has the appearance of a small fortress with an iron fence to keep someone out, or perhaps to keep someone in.

As the sun rises, more people come to join the first three who have begun to pray. They gather together in greeting, shaking hands and embracing one another. There are brief introductions and then they return to prayer.

Two more cars arrive, one turns into the driveway, moves around the building and disappears. The second car parks in the right-of-way at the side of the road and a man and a woman get out. They walk to the side of the drivewa, pamphlets in hand with information to be given to frightened mothers driving into the building to keep an appointment. Some of the mothers are brought by their friends, by their boyfriends or husbands and some by their parents: the grandmothers and grandfathers of the babies.

More cars turn into the driveway and without bothering to slow down, disappear behind the building, but one car, blue with several rust spots and a broken tail light, stops and the woman who has stood near the driveway, the sidewalk counselor, approaches. She smiles and waves and the window is rolled down. Words are exchanged, a pamphlet is offered and received. It contains words and images of the truth that goes on inside the building. The man and woman in the car thank the counselor and they also disappear behind the building.

“And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."” (Mat. 14:37-38)

Soon a police car arrives and parks at the end of the building. The officer is there to make sure everything is safe. By now the sun has risen, peeking above the office building to the east. More cars arrive carrying prayer partners, Bibles in hand. As they step onto the grassy prayer vigil area, those who had arrived earlier greet them and then leave to go to their jobs and continue their day. This new group opens their Bible to read a familiar passage. A man there with rosary in hand silently prays, meditating on the life of Christ, the sorrowful mysteries. He falls to his knees as he considers the scourging at the pillar of our Lord, and tears slowly roll down his face. In his mind, in his soul, he sees Jesus suffering and he sees the bodies of the innocent unborn who suffer and die within this building.

An expensive looking car drives in and everyone takes notice. Some make the sign of the cross and say a special prayer for the driver. Clouds seem to block the sunlight with the sun now higher in the sky while prayer partners come and go. A man carrying a tall pole with a crucifix on tops comes to pray. A couple with their two small children spread out a blanket while five high school students sit in a circle, rosaries in hand.

The man who cried while on his knees rises and approaches another group in prayer. The apparent leader of this group is praying passionately. He grips a Bible tightly in his and asks God to forgive him, to forgive our country and free us from the sin of abortion. Each member of this group in turn lifts up a prayer from their heart. The man at his turn offers up his own prayer. He prays for the babies, for the mothers who are frightened and for the fathers who are confused. He prays for the grandparents who may never hold their grandchildren in their arms. And he prays for the abortionist whose soul is tortured by daily acts of violence done to those who are silent.

“And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time, and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."” (Mat. 14:40-42)

By God’s grace they come, you come and pray, to keep the vigil and to give witness to the pain and suffering, to the lie that is abortion. Everyday the vigil is kept. Every hour someone is there. Many wonder why you waste your time. “Have you nothing better to do?” “Why don’t you mind your own business.”

Suddenly there are sounds of joyous laughter as the rusting blue car drives away. The sidewalk counselor walks over to the prayer partners. “The girl said she had prayed for a sign, if she was making the right choice. When she saw you praying here she wasn’t sure what to do. The father didn’t really want the abortion, so they just sat in the car and prayed. They said they just couldn’t do it.”

This is why we do it, why we stand in the cold, and the rain, to pray for that one child, that one family. This is the end of abortion.

Come to keep the vigil, to respond to our Lord’s plea. Come to the garden and watch one hour with Him.

Eric Slaughter
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

FASTING: CRUCIAL SPIRITUAL WEAPON WAITING TO BE USED

2009-09-12T19:07:00.000-04:00

When we consider the tragic consequences of abortion, its spiritual underpinnings, and our seeming inability to bring it to an end, we are tempted to fall into despair. How can we banish this horrific practice from our midst? Will we ever see victory in this battle?

We cannot do it- only God can deliver us from this evil. Only God can bring victory. As Jesus responded to his disciples when they asked why they couldn’t deliver out a certain evil spirit: “some can be delivered out only by prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:29). We should consider this reality when we ask how and when this struggle against abortion will end.

Over the past 30 years, most pro-lifers have not fully embraced one of the greatest spiritual weapons available in their struggle against abortion- sacrificial fasting. It is a key to victory over evil found in the New (Mt 4:1) and Old Testaments (2 Chro 20:3; Est 4:16). Jesus, Moses, and Elijah all fasted- for 40 days (although we are not calling for that!).

Fasting can take many forms; just choose something (preferably something to do with eating) to sacrifice to the Lord. Fasting is an individual practice and takes many forms. Following the early church, 40 Days for Life Indianapolis has chosen Wednesday or Fridays as fasting days, so if possible, choose one of those days and sacrifice in community with others in this struggle.

Many early church fathers suggested that one spiritual benefit of fasting was how it helps discipline us and free us from slavery to our passions and desires. A most timely practice for this current age!

Please leave any questions or thoughts about this ancient Christian practice.

Joseph Lehner
Holy Rosary

WHY PRAY DURING 40 DAYS FOR LIFE?

2009-09-09T13:29:00.000-04:00

Doesn’t God already know what we are thinking, even before we pray? So you say, why waste our time telling Him something that He already knows? In prayer we are communicating with God and getting closer to Him. Through Prayer we offer our praise and worship to the one true God who deserves all praise and glory. Prayer is a two way street. We talk to God and God talks to us. We must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land from this horrific travesty of killing His unborn children.

We are all human and come to God in brokenness and repentance over our sins. We cry out for God’s mercy and ask for the scourge of abortion to be removed from our land. When we pray together for a culture of life it creates unity, encourages one another to be more out spoken, to love one another and brings about a change of heart to help those in need and not be critical or judgmental. Dozens of babies have been spared since we have been praying at Planned Parenthood: please know our prayers are already being answered.

So, if your prayer life isn’t what it ought to be, don’t be upset, just join us! Maybe you hadn’t grasped how important prayer really is? Now that you know, ask for God’s help for us all, for this realm more than any, apart from Him we can do nothing. There is no chance we can end abortion without God’s divine intervention, which requires prayer and fasting on our part.

Dear Lord, as you lead us into this spiritual battle of life over death may we be reminded the battle is truly Yours and bigger then anyone of us can solve on our own. "We know that all things work for the good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28).

Joe Mennel

St. Barnabas

Vigil Schedule

2009-08-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

We are only 28 days away from the start of the Fall 40 Days for Life.

So far we have 20 churches and organizations signed up!! If your church or organization is interested in signing up please contact us at elainer@40days-indy.org.

The vigil schedule tool is also up and running. Now you can sign up for the day and time you like. Just go to http://www.vigilcalendar.com/indianapolis/schedule/weekly/1251311012, to sign up today.

Below is the Weekly Schedule so far:

Sundays

Hispanic Catholic Families - Indianapolis

Mondays

Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Carmel
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Carmel

Tuesday

Right to Life of Indianapolis
St. Thomas More - Mooresville
Christ the King - Indianapolis

Wednesday

St. Barnabas - Indianapolis
St. Monica - Indianapolis
St. Jude - Indianapolis

Thursday

St. Marie Goretti - Westfield
Our Lady of the Greenwood - Greenwood
St. Paul the Apostle 10 am - 12 pm - Greencastle

Friday

St. Mary 7 - 10 am - Indianapolis
Good Shepard 7 - 10 am - Indianapolis
St. John Vianney 11 am - 2 pm - Fishers
St. Joan of Arc 3 - 7 pm - Indianapolis
St. Susanna - Plainfield
St. Luke - Indianapolis

Saturday

Little Flower 7 - 11 am - Indianapolis
Holy Name 11 am - 3 pm - Indianapolis
Holy Rosary 3 - 7 pm - Indianapolis

Choose Life

2009-08-15T21:25:00.000-04:00

Greetings, to all who know of the sacredness of life,
Soon the Fall 2009 40 Days for Life campaign will begin. While the word campaign fails to convey the true meaning of 40 Days of life, Christians know the significance of the number 40 from scripture. Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his ministry, and before his ascension he stayed 40 days with the apostles.

Our Lord has told us that some demons can only be cast out through pray and fasting. The soul of our nation is possessed by a demon called abortion and this demon must be cast out. This is the purpose of 40 Days for Life, to cast out the demon, not by our own power or abilities, but by God himself. By offering up our prayers and sacrifice of fasting we offer ourselves to the Lord. We admit our weaknesses and our faults and we rely upon his grace and limitless mercy. We confess our sins as a nation and as individuals asking our Lord forgive us and to turn us away from the things of this world which separate us from his gift of life..

While efforts must continue to correct those laws which violate truth, the reality is that abortion can only end one person at a time. The witness of prayer partners at Planned Parenthood reminds the mothers and fathers that God loves them. Your presence is an expression of the love of God, and each time a mother changes her mind and chooses life abortion ends in America.

Let us pray for an end to abortion in the hearts, minds and souls of abortion minded men and women. Let us pray for those who have given in to the choice of the world. Choose life.

Pray always,
Eric Slaughter,
40 Days for Life Indy Coordinator