April 2, 2009
Day 37 – 325 lives saved!
Reno has another save!
National Campaign Daily Intention
We are the defenders of true freedom. May our witness unveil the deception of the "pro-choice" slogan.
National Campaign News
Answering Jesus’ Call
Local Campaign News
Faithful God Answers Prayer, Reno Has Another Save
Tempers Fly at the Sidewalk in Reno– Remember to Represent the Love of Christ
Coming Events
Rosary for Life at St. Albert’s April 3rd and every Friday morning at 8:30 am
First Saturday Rosary, April 4, 9:00 am
Wrap-Up Rally – Reno Life Chain, April 5, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Allow us to announce your prayer gathering here
40 Days through Scripture
I John 2 - Jude
National News
Facing Tough Washington Climate, Abortion Foes Move Debate Online
Video Vignette
Down Syndrome - A Life Worth Living
Get Involved
Stop Sebelius
Be Heard Project Defends Conscience Clause
Keep Conscience Protection for Healthcare Workers – Deadline April 9th
Sign-up for Your Hours on the Vigil Calendar
Have you signed up on the Vigil Calendar?
If you’re near the abortion site and have even just a few moments to spare
- GO PRAY!
Commit to pray daily from wherever you are.
If you’re near the abortion site and have even just a few moments to spare
- GO PRAY!
Commit to pray daily from wherever you are.
National Campaign Daily Intention
We are the defenders of true freedom. May our witness unveil the deception of the "pro-choice" slogan.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
-- 2 Corinthians 3:17
Norma McCorvey (the former Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade) used to work at an abortion mill named "A Choice for Women." She now realizes what a cruel irony that title was. She saw first hand, just as pregnancy resource center counselors see, that women don't get abortions because of freedom of choice, but rather because they feel they have no freedom and no choice. They feel trapped, abandoned, desperate and afraid, and have been led to believe that abortion is their only option.
As Frederica Mathewes-Green has written, no want wants an abortion like she wants a Porsche or an ice cream; rather, she wants it like an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." That doesn't mean that the Spirit allows us to do whatever we want or to decide for ourselves what's right and wrong.
Rather, it means that the Spirit gives us the freedom to do what is right, the power to choose what is good, when we see it before us and yet feel pulled in the opposite direction. Liberty means that we no longer have to feel doomed to do what we know is wrong.
We are the people of the Spirit of the Lord, and when we take action on behalf of life, especially by being present at abortion mills, we are acting on behalf of true freedom, and imparting to those who are in bondage the power to do what is right.
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director,
Priests for Life andPresident,
National Pro-life Religious Council
National Director,
Priests for Life andPresident,
National Pro-life Religious Council
National Campaign News
Answering Jesus’ Call
40 Days for Life touches people and opens their hearts to Jesus' call to defend the least of our brethren. So many of YOU are answering that call -- and to God be the glory!
There's one 40 Days for Life vigil participant who had seen first-hand the importance of being present outside the abortion center, and she wanted to do more. So this young mother of three discerned that God was calling her to become a sidewalk counselor.
Her very first day on the job in Colorado Springs was a most eventful one.
"On her first day actively talking to the men and women going into this place of death, we all celebrated when one couple came out and told us, very specifically and repeatedly, they chose not to have the abortion," said Douglas, who was one of a number of people praying at the clinic that day.
"The father told us this news first, and we all waited for the mother to come out, warning him that they might be pressuring her inside. He seemed confident she wouldn't agree to the abortion and that she'd be out soon," he said.
The woman finally emerged from the clinic, and confirmed the news that she would not be having an abortion. "This mother seemed so much happier and relieved about choosing life today with the father of this new baby in her womb," Douglas said.
This would not have happened if there had been no vigil outside!
It underscores the need for more people to take that first step to pray in front of the local abortion facility -- and then see where God leads from there.
"We need more, much more presence and praying -- walking the sidewalks, carrying signs and pushing strollers," Douglas said, adding that your presence causes the young people entering the clinic to question their "choice."
He's praying that God will provide the necessary grace to close this clinic - and many others. "It's going to happen!"
Local Campaign News
Faithful God Answers Prayer, Reno Has Another Save
It all started with a prayer, “Please Lord, allow me to play a role in saving the life of a child during this 40 Days for Life campaign.” This was the prayer prayed by Theresa before she went out to the sidewalk last Friday, and when she arrived at the sidewalk that morning we was thrilled to witness the turn-around of a Hispanic couple who had intended to abort their child.
She was so happy with the providence of God that she shared the story the next morning while sitting and watching a soccer game. Her story was overheard by the wife of the coach who asked her to talk to her daughter’s 16 year old friend who is pregnant and considering an abortion.
Theresa spent two hours that afternoon talking with this young woman, whose boyfriend was adamant that she have an abortion. Her father had already agreed to pay for the procedure and was planning on driving her to the abortion site. But the story Theresa was able to share had the authority of truth, you see, Theresa herself is Post-Abortive, so she was in a unique position to share why abortion hurts, and how that pain isn’t as simple as healing from an extracted wisdom tooth. She shared that she couldn’t go back and change what has already happened.
She’s now a mom, and she needs to decide is she going to be the mom of a living child or a dead child.
This young woman, whom everyone was encouraging to abort her child, has chosen life. Her boyfriend initially refused to even talk with Theresa, but has now come around to accept that he is a dad and the responsibility that comes with the role. The father is supporting his daughter’s decision.
But let’s be realistic, there are a lot of challenges that face this young family. Theresa is making an appointment for them at the CPC where they can explore the option of adoption and determine if this is their best choice or if they are going to raise their child. They will need financial help as the father, who already has a tight budget, told his daughter that with this adult decision comes adult responsibilities and he expects her to find a way to assist in the expenses of the pregnancy. Please keep this young family in your prayers.
Yes, Our God is an Awesome God! He answers the prayers of the faithful. So remember, pray, and share the stories of our success, giving God the Glory. You never know how God might use you and the special gifts He’s given you to save the life of a child.
Tempers Fly at the Sidewalk in Reno– Remember to Represent the Love of Christ
We received a call from Pat and apparently it was quite an eventful day at the sidewalk yesterday. There were a couple of people working on the speaker boxes that line the front of the Reno abortion site. Tom, who comes daily on the killing days, attempted to start a conversation with these workers, informing them of what goes on inside this facility and perhaps encouraging them to rethink their assistance. Unfortunately they indicated that they support what is being done by the abortionist. I’m sorry that we don’t have the name of the business they represent, as I for one, wouldn’t want to provide them with any business.
Then, as Tom was standing at the sidewalk, as he typically does during the course of the day, Dr. Stutes came out, leaned over the fence and screamed a foul stream of obscenities at him, indicating all sorts of vile things he intended to do to him. Our prayers and presence must be having an impact on him and his business for him to become this agitated! This was just as Pat arrived and was putting up the Pray to End Abortion lawn signs in the dirt area across from the abortion site. Ultimately, Dr. Stutes decided to call the police and 3 cars responded.
They simply confirmed what we already know, that we have a right to be present at the sidewalk, as long as we don’t obstruct traffic, which we all know not to do, and the police officers are well aware of this. It appears that in the heat of the moment, Tom responded to one of Dr. Stutes tirades with an uncharitable comment, although certainly nothing that could be twisted to be seen as a threat. He was then told by Dr. Stutes that this comment had been recorded and would be used against him. In his discussion with the police, Tom explained that the comments that he had made were not unprovoked, but were a response to a long stream of obscenities that had been hurled at him.
Please, remember, we must at all times represent the Love and Peace of Christ and it is when we are being persecuted that this is more true than ever. The Christian martyrs, whose blood flowed so that we might know Christ, made their impact by the peace with which they received their persecution. If we can remember this if and when Dr. Stutes comes out to the sidewalk, there is a chance that he too may be converted to know the love of Christ. Wouldn’t that be a blessing?!
In the meantime, Pat reports that there was a much larger than usual number of positive responses from the passing cars. Also, there is a gentleman who walks past on a nearly daily basis, typically reading a book as he passes, who walked by during the commotion with a woman. Later, after Tom had left for the day, and Pat was on the sidewalk alone, this woman came back to ask if he had been required to leave per the request of the police. When Pat indicated that he had simply left because he had finished his time of prayer, she told Pat she was pleased to hear it and to keep up the good work.
The people driving by are watching and taking note of what is being done both on the sidewalk and within the walls of this killing place. Please Bring the Love of Christ when you come to Pray to End Abortion and we just may be graced with the result we seek.
Coming Events
Rosary for Life at St. Albert’s April 3rd at 8:30 am
Join us as we pray the Gospel every Friday.
First Saturday Rosary, April 4, 9:00 am
Calling all Pro-Life Catholics (and others who are interested) to pray the Rosary at the abortion site on Saturday, April 4th at 9:00 am. Join us as we pray the Gospel.
Wrap-Up Rally – Reno Life Chain, April 5, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Join us as we once again take our message of Love and Life to the streets in a Life Chain Event, this time in downtown Reno, on Sunday, April 5 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Our Midway Rally / Life Chain was a success, as we stood in prayerful witness calling upon those who drove by to consider that all life deserves protection, from conception until natural death.
Allow us to Announce Your Prayer Gathering Here
Gather together to Pray to End Abortion! When you have plans, let us know and we’ll let others know through our updates.
40 Days through Scripture
Day 37 - I John 2 - Jude
And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. If you consider that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him.
-- I John 2:28 – 29
To get the complete 40 Days through the New Testament list, go to: www.40DaysforLife.com/renotahoe/NewTestament, print it out and get started now.
It’s never too late to start reading the bible.
National News
Facing Tough Washington Climate, Abortion Foes Move Debate Online
[www.online.wsj.com] The video is stark, and startling. Against a black background, an ultrasound image flickers and a story unfolds. "This child's future is a broken home...he will be abandoned by his father...his single mother will struggle to raise him...."
The classical music in the background rises as the ultrasound fades, replaced by footage of President Barack Obama addressing an adoring crowd.
The tag line: "Life. Imagine the Potential."
An antiabortion group's online video borrows from President Obama's life story.
Mr. Obama supports legal abortion. Yet this video by CatholicVote.org -- viewed nearly 1.8 million times on YouTube since it was posted in January -- has turned his life story into an advertisement for the antiabortion movement.
The White House declined to comment. The producers describe their 40-second video as a strategic triumph that can help chart a new course for their movement as abortion opponents face a hostile climate in Washington, with Democrats controlling Congress and the White House.
"When you're out of political power, you start thinking about new ways to do things," said Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote.org. "How do we continue to be relevant?"
His answer: Create provocative online content and rely on the power of viral networking to spread it widely.
Known in some antiabortion circles as the "hearts and minds" tactic -- as in, winning hearts and opening minds -- the strategy depends on presenting the antiabortion movement in an unexpected light, the better to catch and hold attention…
…Despite their viral appeal, Ms. Keenan dismissed most antiabortion videos as too shrill to win over the masses. In her view, those clips fail to address the issues most people care about, such as preventing unintended pregnancies or preserving women's health.
But some longtime analysts of abortion politics say the right's online campaign appears to be having an impact.
"Certainly, there's a preaching-to-the-choir effect, but I don't think you can discount the effect on society over time," said Alesha Doan, a political scientist at the University of Kansas who supports legalized abortion. "They've altered the parameters of the discourse."
Ms. Doan said ultrasound images circulating online have been especially helpful to abortion opponents, because they humanize the fetus. "I've seen a marked change in how people talk about abortion," especially young adults, Ms. Doan said. "It's much more favorable to the pro-life movement." Read more here
Video Vignette
Down Syndrome - A Life Worth Living
Get Involved!
STOP Sebelius:
Petition Against HHS Appointment of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
Go here to sign the petition.
Be Heard Project Defends Conscience Clause
Sign the online ''Petition to Protect Pro-Life Doctors.'' Find details HERE
Cardinal George Urges Catholics to Tell Administration: Keep Conscience Protections for Health Care Workers
Find details HERE . The deadline to submit comments is April 9th. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated!
Sign-up for Your Hours on the Vigil Calendar
Please, visit the calendar, register and sign-up to join us at the sidewalk. Our Vigil Calendars are located at: www.vigilcalendar.com/renotahoe and www.vigilcalendar.com/carsoncity for Reno and Carson City respectively.
Sign up even if you’re not 100% sure that you can make that particular time.
Pray whether you are signed up or not. It is most important to pray.
Thanks to Eddie Montanucci for providing us with this great photo of the vigil in Carson City.