Monday, September 28, 2015

The First 'Save' ... because the Body of Christ was there.


On Saturday, a young mom was at the vigil praying with her two little ones.  It was getting a little past time for the next prayer volunteer to come, but there were two people from another church praying too, so she wasn’t worried.  (She found out later that the volunteers for the next hour had mistakenly gone to another facility.) 
 
The young mom decided to stay and cover a second hour.  She watched a car drive into the parking lot of the abortion facility.  A couple got out of the car, at first heading to the front door of the facility, but then they turned toward the volunteers.  The couple wanted to know what alternatives there were to having the abortion! 
 
The prayer volunteers were able to tell the couple about the nearby pregnancy resource centers -- one in the very same office complex!  The volunteers watched this new mom and dad as they walked over to the resource center to receive real help.   If the vigil had not been there, the couple would have gone into the facility and perhaps made a fatal choice.  
 
What a blessing for those praying on the sidewalk to be a part of the first save of our 40 Days for Life vigil ... that we know of!

**Trained sidewalk counselors are typically present on the sidewalk when abortions are being performed and available to counsel clients considering abortion. Nearby pregnancy resource centers -- in the office complex and across the street -- also offer counseling and resources for parents in need.   40 Days for Life vigil participants provide critical daily prayer support for these life-saving efforts.**

Two priests walked onto a sidewalk ...

We are already experiencing blessings on the sidewalk!  First by clergy joining us in prayer...

Fr. Joseph came out to the vigil site and stayed a good while with his flock.  His parish family from St. Anthony drove him there and made sure he knew where to go and felt welcome!

Down the road at the Planned Parenthood abortion referral center, another priest stopped by to briefly join those who have faithfully prayed at that location since it used to perform abortions (before the mega Planned Parenthood opened in South Dallas).  He knelt on the sidewalk and led the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary, blessed those on the sidewalk, and then off he went.  

And in another blessing a campaign team member showed up at the vigil site with "Pray to End Abortion" signs. Before his arrival there were very few signs available for vigil volunteers, and none of them were 40 Days for Life signs.  We were just about to contact the campaign to request some, and they appeared! 

Praise Holy Triune God for all that He is doing and will do through this powerful time of prayer and witness.

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

A Promise of Prayer

We were so blessed to receive this beautiful promise of prayer from The Texas Nuns in support of 40 Days for Life-Dallas beginning today.

Good morning, and happy feast of St. Padre Pio!  We just wanted to let you know that we are indeed praying for you today as you begin 40 Days for Life.  Thank you so much for all the work you do to save babies, their moms and dads.  We are all so grateful to you and all the pro-life warriors.  Know that we are praying for you before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  

In Jesus and Mary, 

The Texas Nuns

blog.texasnuns.com

At midnight, together, the Body of Christ

We gathered long before the time to start the 24/7 vigil at midnight – Knights whose parish had adopted the first day, four young people who had been to the Kickoff Rally and answered the invitation to pray, the prayer volunteers who had signed up to cover the first hour, along with several others -- seventeen in all.
 
As we were about to sing the Divine Mercy Chaplet to open the vigil, a car pulled up next to us.  The driver rolled down his window and said, “My two children were aborted, and I didn’t have any choice about it.”

One of our group was a man whose wife had aborted his only child.  He’s had experience as a volunteer with Project Joseph, a unique abortion healing program for men.  He immediately asked the driver to park across the street so they could talk.  As we sang, the abortion facility and the two men were covered in prayer.

 
After a time, the Project Joseph volunteer rejoined us.  The two men had exchanged information, and the volunteer had shared resources for help.  Through God's Amazing Grace, these two men found each other at midnight, on the sidewalk.   We cannot wait to see all that our Lord has in store for us these 40 days. 
 
May God bless all of our efforts for life!  Especially these 40 days!
 
Are you or someone you know suffering from an abortion?  There is hope in healing.  
Visit
www.racheldallas.org for confidential assistance for women and men. 
For more information about Project Joseph, visit
www.projectjosephdallas.org
Don't suffer alone any longer!
 
Image credit: "Forgiven" by Thomas Blackshear, reprinted with permission