October 2, 2009 - The 40 Days for Life fall campaign continues in Greater Cincinnati till November 1 in front of Planned Parenthood's abortion headquarters 2314 Auburn Avenue in Cincinnati (across from Christ Hospital). Families with children are welcome and often attend together; easy parking is available at Holy Name Church a few blocks down, 2448 Auburn Ave. Prayer materials for private prayer are also available.
Greater Cincinnati chairperson Mary Clark learned of this wonderful occurrence this week:
There is a happy story to relate to you from one of the faithful 40 Days vigil participants. Sal, from St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, signed up to take the 8-9 am prayer shift each week during 40 Days and on the first day, his first time coming to pray at Planned Parenthood, a young woman came walking out of Planned Parenthood and she was crying. Sal said at first he continued to pray while she watched him. He had never done anything like this before but he just felt he should say something to her. He asked her if there was anything he could do and she at first said no but then asked if she could just stand there with him for a while. He of course said yes and eventually she said to him, "I couldn't do it," and put her arms around his neck and he said he cried too! He asked her again if there was anything he could do for her or any place he could accompany her to but she said no and walked off. He didn't ask her why she changed her mind but I wouldn't doubt that she had seen this man quietly praying when she entered the clinic and that it had an effect on her. Then when he showed what a compassionate person he was she sensed that compassion and felt safe confiding in him.
I thank God that Sal was there at that time and that he was given the gift of seeing the fruits of his sacrifice of getting up early on a very rainy day and traveling some distance to come and pray during the very first day of 40 Days for Life. Not everyone will see in such a concrete way how his prayers sometimes effect those entering the abortion clinic, but if you have not yet signed up to spend even an hour in public prayer during this 40 Days, I hope this renews your resolve to join us. And please pray for this young woman that she finds the support she needs to continue to give life to her child.
You may join at any time - co-workers, team mates, all church denominations. Besides individuals and friends who have signed up, the following are already on board:
St. Therese, Southgate, KY
St. Joseph, Cold Spring, KY
St. Rose
Christian Life Center
St. Maximilian Kolbe
St. John the Baptist Parish on Dry Ridge
St. John the Evangelist Parish, Deer Park
St. Louis Parish in Owensville
St. James the Greater Parish
NKU -Northern Right to Life
Guardian Angels Parish
St. Gertrude Parish 20's Group
St. Louis Parish, Batesville, IN
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
For more information, see www.40daysforlife.com/Cincinnati, or contact Mary Clark, Greater Cincinnati chair, 513/791-4039, cincinnatidays40@live.com.
