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Published: September 30, 2007
“Are you guys really going to be out here for 40 days?”
An on-scene report of days 1 and 2 of Sacramento’s "40 Days for Life"
News from the Trenches
We’re praying at Planned Parenthood at 29th and B Streets. St. Stephen's took the Wednesday shift and St. Joseph's in Auburn took Thursday. The parking lot of PP is well lit, and as an odd answer to our prayers, PP has hired a nighttime security guard, further insuring our protection throughout the night.
A young man named Hank who works at PP approached me today for the very first time. He began by saying, "I'm curious about something... Are you guys really going to be out here for 40 days? I said, "Yes." He continued incredulously, "...you mean all day and all night?" I answered "Yes" again. He responded, "Wow! That's amazing!" I told him how seriously we felt about this and he said, "Yeah, I know, I've been reading through the 40 Days web site."
He came closer and I took his hand, introducing myself. I told him we cared about him and he said, "Yeah, I know you do," looking me directly in the eye. His lunch break was about up, so he left to return to his job. Please keep Hank in your prayers.
At home, I received a long-distance phone call and a young woman's voice began, "Is this the 40 Days for Life hotline number?" Then, with great anger in her voice, she spoke for several minutes with this theme: "I'm a Christian, but I don't know how you people can judge women who are going in for abortions. You don't know anything about them! How dare you!”
This gave me an opening to tell my story, explaining that I had not always been pro-life, but actually helped my best friend obtain an abortion over twenty years ago, because that is what I thought a "best friend" would do. My friend has suffered tremendously, and I am very regretful for not helping her and her baby.
The woman’s anger gave way to sobbing as she described the "choice" she felt forced to make several years ago. "If someone had only helped me... I was so desperate," and "If I had only known how much it would hurt me, every day of my life, I wouldn't have done it". After about 20 minutes of conversation, she was very receptive to my suggestion that she contact Rachel's Vineyard Post-abortion Healing ministry – in Sacramento: (916) 733-0161, or on the Internet at www.rachelsvineyard.org. A call that began with anger turned into a miracle by God's grace.
40 Days: Sacramento plans a variety of special days:
Tuesday, Oct. 9 -- Catechists, Sunday School, Religious Education, Teachers' Day
Tuesday, Oct. 16 -- Day for Widows and Widowers
Thursday, Oct. 18 -- Medical and Health Professionals' Day
Tuesday, Oct. 30 -- invite your Priest, Pastor, Deacon, and Sister to join us
Sunday, Nov. 4 -- Legal Professionals, Public Officials and Law Enforcement Officer Appreciation Day
There are still a few days and blocks of time, especially at night, that need prayer coverage at 29th and B Street. Please stop by and join us anytime, if even just for a few minutes.
-- Wynette Sills
Contact phone numbers:
Wynette Sills: (916) 955-1577
Vigil Coordinator Chris Jonas: (530) 878-0598
California Catholic Daily plans to publish periodic reports from Sacramento’s 40 Days for Life campaign as it continues.
Posted Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:44 AM By Margie
Wynette is a marvelous catalyst for activating prolife sentiment in this town. To know her is to love her! I am so grateful for how docile she is to the Holy Spirit of God. This Forty Days for Life campaign is extraordinary and it seems to me that the Spirit of the Lord is certainly behind this. Here we are in the heart of the capitol of California exposing the darkness of the Culture of Death twenty four hours a day!
Already, we can see the fruits of the campaign as Christians come together to bear witness to the truth and to offer a light in this darkness. I joined a group of Knights of Columbus from the Auburn area at 4:30 AM a few nights back. We prayed the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. A deacon was present with us. By dawn's early light, a priest joined our circle as we continued to pray the rosary for life. Yes, it was cold. Yes, it was dark. Yes, it was windy. But it was awesome to stand for life and to pray for the mothers and their children. As Jesus would say, "Come and see!"
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Posted Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:25 AM By Margie
Are we really going to be out for Forty Days and Forty Nights? Yes, Yes, Yes. This isn't like the paid jobs that Planned Parenthood offers. This is more like the mission preparation that we saw our Savior undertake with Forty Days and Nights in the wilderness outside Galilee.
Prayer and fasting. Sometimes the only way to stop a war is through prayer and fasting. Sometimes the only way to oust the spirits of the enemy is through prayer and fasting.
Is there a war on the unborn? Yes. Is Planned Parenthood one of the chief perpetrators of this deadly war on unborn children? Yes.
The battle belongs to the Lord and we, His servants come in humility, supplication, adoration and contemplation to seek the Face of God and to do His holy will in Sacramento,Ca through the Forty Days for Life.
Onward, Christian soldiers!
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Posted Sunday, September 30, 2007 12:26 PM By Maria
Wow what a wonderful witness to the world! I really enjoy these wonderful articles because they show the goodness in our people! It is refreshing to also read about good things that are happening with the faithful! Praise be Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church!
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Posted Sunday, September 30, 2007 4:25 PM By bruce
What wonderful dedication. How much of the clergy or diocese supports this?
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Posted Monday, October 01, 2007 9:11 AM By Margie
How much of the clergy supports this? Well, I am probably only aware of the tip of the iceberg and can only mention some of the Catholic clery starting with Bishop William Weigand who wrote a letter of prayerful support encouraging the churches to participate in this ecumenical campaign.
I can mention the members of the Legionaries of Christ as we held our kickoff rally in the park next to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. I can mention Msgr Kavanagh of St. Rose, Father Patrick Lee of UCDavis, Fr. Andrew of Presentation who allowed me to speak at the Sunday masses about this campaign, Fr. Derick LaBranch who was headed to the clinic last night to pray and on and on. Yes, the clergy are definitely on board. And Capital Christian Church and many evangelical churches as well, go to the website and you will see a list of participating churches. I was praying with a Deacon from the Auburn area on Thursday night.
Full Diocesan Support from the top to the bottom!
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Posted Monday, October 01, 2007 2:01 PM By bruce
Support from top to bottom? Drool, drool. Since I can't afford to move to California, can you swap diocesan leadership with mine? My diocese is into Call to Action and other heresies, just like L.A. Or maybe your diocese can adopt mine.
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Posted Tuesday, October 02, 2007 2:01 AM By Jeannee
Sounds like Hank may become the next person rescued from a clinic that is employed there, like the true-life book about the woman who was "Roe" in Roe V. Wade. Praying in NJ!!!
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Posted Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:44 PM By TS
That is a great project! But please consider this: correct the "40" days commercial because Jesus was NOT transformed by his 40 days in the desert; he did not need to be transformed because he was the eternal Son and second Person of the Trinity; nor did his human nature need to be transformed; it is US who are transformed by his 40 days in the desert in virtue of his rejection of Satan.
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Posted Friday, October 05, 2007 9:24 AM By Dennis Howard
It is absolutely great to see a Catholic daily again! I was a founding staff member of America's last attempt to publish a Catholic daily in 1950 -- The Sun Herald of Kansas City -- and would be proud to contribute to your effort. It has been my lifelong dream to see such a paper to rise again.
Right now, I head The Movement for a Better America and we're leading the 40 Days for Life effort in northern New Jersey out of Morristown. So far, we've have scheduled 120 separate prayer vigils at 6 abortion sites and about the same number of churches. To find out more, visit our website: http://www.movementforabetteramerica.org
My very first assignment back in 1950 was interviewing a Baptist minister on the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today. The news from Morristown is that the Holy Spirit is still alive and well and moving through men's hearts today. Alleluia.
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© California Catholic Daily 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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