October 30, 2009
Jennifer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey has been thankful
that the 40 Days for Life campaign in her community
has the support of the local Catholic bishop in the
Diocese of Camden. Just recently, Bishop Joseph
Galante participated in the prayer vigil outside the
abortion facility -- and more than 100 other people
were there to join him.
To see a photo of Bishop Galante at the vigil, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=480
But there's someone else in that picture that I'd
like to call to your attention -- the young woman in
the wheelchair next to Bishop Galante. Her name is
Maricruz, and I would ask that you pray for her, her
birth family in Central America, and her adopted
family in New Jersey.
Maricruz is an abortion survivor.
Twenty-one years ago, her mother tried to abort her.
This was an attempted chemical abortion; her mother
took a pill, which was assumed to be RU-486. It is
believed that the drug was being used experimentally
in Central America at the time.
To make a long story short, the abortion pill didn't
work. Maricruz was born three months premature. She
survived, but was left severely handicapped and must
use the wheelchair. Maricruz has three siblings in
Central America -- and four others who were aborted.
The woman next to Maricruz is her adopted
grandmother, an active pro-lifer who's been honored
for her efforts on behalf of the unborn. She is also
the mother of 13 -- including Jennifer.
Yes, the woman who helped bring 40 Days for Life to
Cherry Hill, New Jersey (it's just outside of
Philadelphia, in case you were wondering) is also
Maricruz's adopted mom.
Please share this story with the next person who
complains that pro-lifers care nothing about
"unwanted" children after they're born!
Said Jennifer, "God provides for us in our lives when
we accept His plan for our lives."
Jennifer also tells a story of the horrifying truth
about abortion, the operation that its supporters
call a "safe, legal medical procedure."
Two prayer vigil participants saw a woman leave the
clinic, crying hysterically. She said she was 18
weeks pregnant -- and the abortionist had given her
baby a lethal injection to end the child's life. She
had apparently known very little about the actual
procedure, only that she had a "choice" that would
permit her to become un-pregnant.
She cried that God would never forgive her for what
she had done. Volunteers suggested going to the
emergency room to see if the baby could be saved.
Sadly, it was too late. She would have to return to
the clinic the next day to have the dead child
removed from her womb.
The woman told the volunteers that she wanted to
stand on the sidewalk to warn the clinic's clients
about what abortion really is. But please pray that
she recognizes her own need for healing and spiritual
renewal at this most challenging time in her life.
Please pray that the Lord will help her understand
that He CAN forgive her and is willing to do so --
and most importantly, that she herself can accept
God's forgiveness.
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,
National Director of Priests for Life and President
of the National Pro-life Religious Council...
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DAY 38 INTENTION
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Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us,
especially to those who minister in the pro-life
movement.
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SCRIPTURE
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On the first day of the week, very early in the
morning, the women took the spices they had prepared
and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled
away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did
not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why do you look
for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has
risen!"
-- Luke 24:1-5
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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone
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This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is
adapted for pro-life concerns.
It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been
killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But
that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
It's Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300
times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little
babies and crushing their heads. But that's because
it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday.
Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from
billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But
that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!
It's Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and
hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of
how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But
that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's
Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics
and usher desperate women in to have their abortions,
while keeping them from the pro-life people who want
to give them hope. But that's because it's Friday.
Sunday's comin'!
Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the
evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the
whole picture, which is that evil is conquered
because of what happened one Sunday morning. The
power of sin and death has been broken by the
Resurrection of Christ. We are called to proclaim,
celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful
hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of
the Culture of Life! Indeed, Sunday's comin'!
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PRAYER
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Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels
of hope to all around us, especially to those who
minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage
in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the
peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody
can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our
Lord, Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day38print.pdf
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A final note...
As we near the finish line of this 40 Days for Life,
I am in Jacksonville, Florida, and in a few hours
will be driving down to visit the 40 Days for Life
site in Ocala.
There are a gazillion people here in town for the
Florida-Georgia football game Saturday, and it just
hit me that last year I was also in Florida right
before that big showdown -- and had the opportunity
to sit down with Pam and Bob Tebow, parents of
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow.
Tim's mom shared with me how doctors had advised her
to abort Tim when she was pregnant with him ... And
why she refused.
That day last fall, Pam and Bob recorded a short
audio clip to share their story and to encourage YOU
to persevere in your 40 Days for Life efforts.
I posted it online, and hope you enjoy it:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=480
As the top ranked college football team takes the
field on Saturday -- led by quarterback Tim Tebow --
keep his powerful story in mind!
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life