Local Catholics use 40 Days campaign to stand up for life
Members of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis promote respect for life outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Indianapolis as part of an America Needs Fatima rosary rally of prayer for the conversion of hearts on Oct. 12. The rally fell within the timeframe of the 40 Days for Life fall prayer campaign taking place outside the same facility, the state’s largest abortion provider. (Submitted photo by Tim O’Donnell)
Criterion staff report
40 Days for Life is an organized prayer effort to save unborn lives and convert hearts to end abortion.
During the semi-annual 40-day campaigns, participants form a prayerful, peaceful presence in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion center or other abortion facility. According to the organization’s website, the campaigns have grown from a single Texas location in 2007 to 816 cities in 56 countries today.
Two campaigns run in the archdiocese each spring and fall at Planned Parenthood abortion facilities—one in Bloomington and one in Indianapolis. The fall campaign began on Sept. 25 and will end on Nov. 3.
As The Criterion went to press, the Bloomington location reported two “saves”—a woman or a couple deciding to spare their unborn child’s life—and the Indianapolis site reported four possible saves.
Below are updates from both locations.
Bloomington
“The prayers of those participating do not go unanswered. And God has mercifully allowed us to see some of the fruit.
“One example is a couple who had gone into the Bloomington Planned Parenthood for abortion counseling, despite being offered help by a sidewalk counselor. They remained inside for only 10 minutes, then came over to the advocate who had offered help. The woman was in tears and said that they couldn’t go through with the abortion. They accepted help next door at the [pro-life] Women’s Care Center.
“Another example is a couple that was inside the Planned Parenthood facility for a long time, receiving abortion counseling. They came out, appearing quite sad. They came over, and this time they accepted the blessing bag and talked for a bit with the sidewalk advocate. They went back to their car and looked over the material for a half-hour. As they pulled away, they were smiling and thanked the advocate for being there. From comments made, they seem to be on their way to now choosing life!” —Monica Siefker, St. John the Apostle Parish, Bloomington
Indianapolis
Tim O’Donnell, lead coordinator for the fall campaign in Indianapolis, reported that two cars stopped to speak with the sidewalk counselors one day in early October. One car had three women, and the other had one.
After talking with the counselors and accepting a blessing bag, both cars turned around and immediately went to the Women’s Care Center located next to the Planned Parenthood. Those who witnessed the possible saves noted that all four women had still not left after two hours in the pro-life organization’s building.
The event happened on Oct. 2, the feast of the Guardian Angels.
For additional information on the Indianapolis area 40 Days for Life campaign, contact Tim O’Donnell by calling 317-372-0040 or e-mail idipsumsapere@me.com.
For additional information on the Bloomington campaign, contact Deacon Russ Woodard at 317-759-1225 or e-mail deaconrussw@gmail.com.
To sign up for an hour of prayer per week with any 40 Days for Life campaign location, go to 40daysforlife.com. †
