Dear Vigil for LIfe Friends,
The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that’s only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion’s wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.
It’s overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ’s 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection — His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.
The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise” (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).
We are called to be God’s messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: “We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don’t bring condemnation; we bring God’s good news.
– David Brandao, Communications Director, 40 Days for Life
OPEN HOURS
Tuesday, 2/16 – 2 needed at 4p.
Wednesday, 2/17 – 2 at 1p; 1 at 2p; 2 at 3p and 2 at 4p.
Thursday, 2/18 – 1 at 10a; 1 at 11a; 1 at 12p; 1 at 3p and 1 at 4p.
To sign up for hours go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545.
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Looking for an extra sacrifice to make for Lent? Time spent in prayer every week on the sidewalk (in the cold) planting good seeds might be your answer!
“We can think of Lent as a time to eradicate evil or cultivate virtue, a time to pull up weeds or to plant good seeds. Which is better is clear, for the Christian ideal is always positive rather than negative. A person is great not by the ferocity of his hatred of evil, but by the intensity of his love for God. Asceticism and mortificdation are not the ends of a Christian life; they are only the means. The end is charity. Penance merely makes an opening in our ego in which the Light of God can pour. As we deflate ourselves, God fills us. And it is GOD’s arrival that is the important event.” -Fulton J. Sheen
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St. John the Baptist Men’s Group in Waunakee will meet on Thursday, March 3 from 6a – 7:30a in the main area of the Church to listen to Steve Karlen, National Outreach Director, 40 Days for Life, give a presentation on 40 Days for Life and the power of witnessing for Life. All men are welcome.
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Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat (Healing the pain of abortion one weekend at a time), Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 6 at Durward’s Glen. For more information contact Mary Mead at meadmt@sbcglobal.net
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Prayer
By: David Brandao
Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.
