Fall 2018 40 Days for Life Campaign Call out and Beyond

 

Pro-lifers across the United States and the world!

This is a called to action as we embark on another 40 Days for Life Campaign leading into the November 2018 midterm elections. The campaign will run from Wednesday September 26th to November 4th.

The sad reality is nearly 12,000 babies are killed in Philadelphia every year. A majority of them are black.

Many of you who will read this have participated in a previous campaign or two. Then, we have those that are uncertain of taking the leap of faith.

Take for example how Dr. Monique Ruberu, author of Rising with Roses, who saw praying in front of the modern day concentration camps to control the human population and eliminate poverty (an idea championed by Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger), was the most challenging thing she has ever done. She first took part in the prayer vigils on a cold February morning outside of the Philadelphia Women's Center, when she met a young 24 year old millennial who invited her to come on out and join the weekly regulars who were arriving one by one.

"Watching the women enter into the building knowing the possible outcome of that choice just sends a dagger through my heart... In order to be present you must have complete faith in our amazing Father God... we must know that He can change hearts, He can use our sacrifice.."

Monique, along with Pat Stanton, would later introduce the 40 Days Campaign to Planned Parenthood in Center City Philadelphia the fall of 2014 with the help of Pat Stanton. It wasn't until a year ago that the campaign would be introduced to 777 Appletree Street. She noticed some changes. Most of it has to do with the Sidewalk Servant Program, which is a pro-life outreach program that happens between the Lent and Fall 40 days campaigns.

"There have been changes over my time there... the sidewalk escorts have become bolder... the prayer warriors have become kinder... the percentage of African American babies being let to death continues to be high... but the willingness of people to come out and pray has increased.. we used to have coverage on Wednesday at Planned parenthood, and Saturday at 777. Every third Saturday we would have coverage at Planned parenthood as well...  Although we have definitely not met the goal of 100% coverage for every hour they are open, we are covering more hours and days than ever before.."

Many of the successes came from groups like the Culture Project, Generation Life,  Regina Academies, local high school and even college students, and some of the many seasoned pro-lifers from different parishes across the greater area. God provided in this life-changing endeavor.

For Anita Flynn, coordinator of the NE Philadelphia vigil, she sees it as a challenge, but she places her confidence in pro-lifers. This year she will be spearheading her 6th vigil in 3 years at Comly Rd in Northeast Philadelphia. 

"We continue to remain steadfast and reach  across various avenues to try to increase interest in the importance of 40 Days."

For those who are interested in learning more, please attend an event on Tuesday September 18th.  More info is here: http://catholicphilly.com/2018/08/news/events/pro-life-presentation-with-dr-monique-ruberu/

It is vital that we continue to pray at abortion clinics as long as that atrocity is going on in our midst.  The prayer works.  Lives have been saved.  We are called to be there.

What you can do for the pro-life movement:

Attend the 36th annual Stand Up for Dinner on Sunday November 18th. More details to come in a later post.

Fast

• Abstain from snacks
• Drink water
• Give up social media
• Pray instead of complaining

Pray

• Take part in the 54 day rosary novena
• 33 Days to Morning Glory
• Participate in prayer vigils year round and 40 Days.
• Spend time before the Eucharist and offer your rosary for the culture of life.
• Host a Holy Hour at your parish

Educate

• Inform members of your community why Planned Parenthood puts profit ahead of their patients.
• Write letters to the editor
• Call and meet your local representative to discuss why PP is not beneficial to women's health.
• Form a Pro-Life Group at your campus or church.

Volunteer

• Help do tasks at a local pregnancy center
• Assist your local pro life coalition
• Collect items needed for mothers in need and donate them to Guiding Stars Ministry, Sisters of Life, or Legacy of Life.
• Offer to babysit for mother of single children

Visit prolifeunion.org for more information or email mail@prolifeunion.org.

Also to find your local 40 Days Campaign, visit 40daysforlife.com.