March 4, 2010 - See the following update from Mary Clark, Greater Cincinnati 40 Days for Life campaign leader (current participating groups listed at end):
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This is Day 17 of the Spring 40 Day for Life campaign and it looks like better weather is on the way! In that regard, I want to praise God for the faithful vigil participants who have shown up for their scheduled hours of prayer without any complaints even though the snow was piled up near the curbs which made it hard to park and the wind sometimes made people glad they had put on that extra layer or two before they ventured out. God will reward that extra sacrifice in some way. We can be sure.
I recently spoke to the St. Gertrude's 20's Group and the Cincinnati Chapter of the Knights of Columbus about our need to continue to fill hours of public prayer in front of Planned Parenthood. I have been told though that even during some hours when no one was scheduled to be there, people have shown up. I thank them for that and applaud their willingness to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to spend that time in witness and prayer.
I know some people's schedules do not permit planning ahead and I don't want anyone to fore go coming to the site because he couldn't schedule ahead of time, but I would also like to encourage those who can to go to www.40daysforlife.com/cincinnati or contact me for open times so we know what hours are covered. I also want to acknowledge those who are not capable of publicly praying at Planned Parenthood but who have let me know that they are praying and fasting at home for this cause.
I have not as yet had any reports of saved babies during this 40 Days here in Cincinnati, but this is what David Bereit has to say on that point. "Most of the time, we don't know how many women change their minds -- and simply don't show up for their abortion appointment." Judy in La Puente, California said a young man walked up to 40 Days for Life vigil participants to thank them for being there. "Because he had seen us outside praying, he had the courage to convince his girlfriend not to have an abortion," she said. "You just never know how many others never get to the abortion site because of our presence. Praise God."
For added incentive to join us in prayer, here is a statistic from the recently completed Fall 2009 campaign: Ninety-one percent of people taking part reported that they had experienced spiritual and personal growth as a result of their participation in 40 Days.
Thank you for praying!
Mary
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The current known list of participants includes:
Bethel Baptist Temple
Christian Life Center
Cincinnati Right to Life Staff & Board Members
Greater Cincinnati Young Adults for Life
Guardian Angels
Holy Trinity
Northern Kentucky University Northern Right to Life
Our Lady of Victory
Pregnancy Center East
St. Cecilia, Independence, KY
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Gertrude's 20's Group
St. James the Greater
St. John the Evangelist, Deer Park
St. Joseph, Crescent Springs, KY
St. Louis, Batesville, IN
St. Louis, Owensville
St. Teresa of Avila
St. Vincent Ferrer
University of Cincinnati Students for Life
To schedule dates and times to participate, or for more information about the Greater Cincinnati campaign, see www.40daysforlife.com/Cincinnati, or contact Mary Clark, Greater Cincinnati campaign leader, 513/791-4039, cincinnatidays40@live.com.
Parking is available on the street or at Holy Name Church, 2448 Auburn Avenue, two blocks from the abortion facility.
