March 19, 2010 - See this week's update from Mary Clark, Greater Cincinnati 40 Days for Life campaign leader including an account from a local prayer participant of a Planned Parenthood counter rally (updated participating groups listed at end):
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Most of the time when people come to keep public vigil during 40 Days we don't know what the employees of Planned Parenthood think of us out there praying but as the following account of one of our vigil participants reveals, our presence does make an impression on those within.
"Wednesday afternoon I was looking over the schedule deciding when I should sign up next for the 40 Days for Life campaign. Thursday morning had some openings, but I also had another commitment later that morning and into the afternoon. But something kept bringing me back to the 9am-10am time slot. So I finally thought, well, why not. This is it, I'll take that slot.
So Thursday morning I showed up to pray, met a couple of very nice people who were also there praying. They stayed for a bit, but then their time was up so they left. While we were there we noticed something stirring at the back of the Planned Parenthood building. Ray was there as he normally is on Tuesday. I stayed until 10am and was about to leave when about 2 dozen people from Planned Parenthood marched out from the back of the building carrying hand made signs and posters, yelling and cheering for Planned Parenthood.
It was a rally to try to counteract our 40 Days for Life efforts. They were going to be there for an hour. It was then that I realized why I had been compelled to take the Thursday morning time slot. I knew there was no one signed up for the 10am-11am time slot, so I stayed another hour to pray. I couldn't walk away and let these people have their rally without also having the presence and witness of Jesus Christ there.
As the Planned Parenthood people marched out I told them as they walked by that I was praying for them that they would have a change of heart. Most of them wouldn't look at me. One girl, (she was very young, I'd guess maybe 15) said she didn't need my prayers but I told her again I was praying for her.
Another woman came up to me and said they'd be there for an hour, and then she said something else. I don't remember what it was that she said. All I remember is that I said to her that the little babies don't have a voice to make their choice. I was looking at her straight in the eyes when I said that and I could see she was taken aback. Even though she went back to cheer for Planned Parenthood I can't help but think there was something there, even for a moment, that made her think. As they continued their rally I stood by the curb praying aloud, rosary plainly visible for everyone driving by to see.
And folks did look. They saw the rally, and they saw me praying. Being only one person standing there praying I felt like the mustard seed. But the mustard seed can do great things. With God's help and the intervention of the Holy Spirit maybe some of their minds will begin to change. And maybe that was the day and time it would begin.
Across the street there was a couple watching. The woman had a camera and was taking pictures. I don't know what for, but she clearly had her camera lens pointed at me. I held up the crucifix on my rosary. I could tell she noticed, so am sure she took some pictures of it in my hand.
..........Maybe that day some hearts began to change........."
I am grateful that the participant above was willing to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to come to pray on the day and time she did. Those employed or volunteering for abortion facilities need our prayers. Let us ask God to fill us with love for them as we pray for their hearts to change.
There is a little more than one week left in the Spring 40 Days for Life campaign. Especially if you have not come to pray yet, please consider looking over the schedule at www.40daysforlife.com/cincinnati (click on "vigil schedule") or contacting me by email or phone to find out what hours are open. I would especially like to cover the last weekend (March 26 though 28) as completely as possible. Are there any night owls or early birds that can help us fill the overnight hours? There are also daytime hours to fill. We want to storm heaven asking God to continue softening the hearts of all who enter Planned Parenthood and the Women's Med Center here in Cincinnati.
Thank you for praying!
Mary
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The current known list of participants includes (please let us know if your group is not listed):
Bethel Baptist Temple
Christian Life Center
Cincinnati Right to Life Staff & Board Members
Clear Mountain Community Church
College of Mt. St. Joseph
Divine Mercy Prayer Group
Glencoe Church of Christ
Greater Cincinnati Young Adults for Life
Guardian Angels
Helpers of God's Precious Infants
Holy Trinity
Immaculate Conception Academy
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Burlington, KY
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cincinnati
Knights of Columbus - Bishop Elder Council
Knights of Columbus - Salve Regina Council
Nativity of Our Lord
Northern Kentucky University Northern Right to Life
Old St. Mary
Our Lady of Victory
Pregnancy Center East
St. Aloysius Gonzaga
St. Ann
St. Bernard, Winton Place
St. Dominic
St. Cecilia, Independence, KY
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Gertrude's 20's Group
St. James the Greater
St. John the Baptist, Dry Ridge
St. John the Evangelist, Deer Park
St. Joseph, Crescent Springs, KY
St. Joseph, Cold Spring, KY
St. Jude the Apostle Culture of Life Group
St. Louis, Batesville, IN
St. Louis, Owensville
St. Margaret of York
St. Mary, Hyde Park
St. Rose
St. Simon
St. Stephen
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.
