Excerpt from an article by Dcn. Keith Fournier entitled WHAT POPE FRANCIS SAID TO MAKE MILLIONS THINK ABOUT ABORTION. (catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php)

“Our unwanted children are being aborted and thrown into dumpsters as medical waste! In addition, in some instances, children who are not wanted after birth are being placed in dumpsters. They were burned for heat in hospitals in England until the evil was discovered.

This is a modern resurgence of the ancient pagan practice once called exposure. Exposure was practiced in the cultures into which the early Christian church was sent on mission. Unwanted babies were left out on rocks to be eaten by birds of prey or taken by slave traders.  It was the Christians who saved them and transformed those cultures from cultures of death into cultures of life.

These contemporary examples substitute a trash can, an incinerator or a dumpster for the rock. We must take up the task of rescuing them in this hour. We must also be honest about what is happening. Children are being treated as trash. We are indeed living in a throwaway culture.”

Do you have time to help take up “the task of rescuing them in this hour”?

We have many open hours this week:

Monday, 8/25 – 100% filled; Praise God!

OPEN HOURS

Tuesday, 8/26 – 94% filled on this Abortion Day – 1 needed at 2p.

Wednesday, 8/27 – Only 60% filled on this Abortion Day – 1 needed at 8a; 2 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 10a; 1 needed at 11a; 2 needed at 12p; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 6p.

Thursday, 8/28 – 90% filled – 1 needed at 4p.

Friday, 8/29 – 75% filled – 1 needed at 2p.

To sign up for hours, please go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

(It runs from Wednesday, September 24, 2014 to Sunday, November 2, 2014.)

Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered your time and talent for the campaign.  For those of you who have not discerned where your time and talent can best be used – we still have the following volunteer opportunities available:

1.  Volunteer Caller – Personally invite past participants to join this year’s 40 Days for Life.

2.  Vigil Captain – Watch the vigil calendar throughout the week leading up to your chosen one day of the week to ensure that each hour is covered.

3.  Outreach – Personally invite other churches and organizations that are not currently participating in 40 Days for Life.

4.  Emergency Prayer Warrior – Give availability to cover hours either during the day or night to be called upon only after all other coverage options have been exhausted.

5. Parish Liaison – Sign your parish up to take part in the campaign.

To sign up for the above positions in support of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign or to sign up for your own vigil hours – please call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail her at info@vigilforlife.org.

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NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ABORTED CHILDREN MEMORIAL SERVICES

Gravesite of an Aborted Baby

St. Michael Church

109 South Military Road

Dane, WI 53529

Day of Remembrance: Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m.

Special Guest: Deacon Jack Fernan

Other Info: Gravesite is located to the right of the outdoor Fatima Shrine between the church and school.

Sponsored by: Vigil for Life Madison

Gravesite of 1,500 Aborted Babies

Holy Cross Cemetery

7301 W Nash Street

Milwaukee, WI 53216

Day of Remembrance: Saturday, September 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Special Guest: His Excellency Bishop Donald Hying

Other Info: Gravesite is in the Children’s Section of the cemetery. For more info, contact Pro-Life Wisconsin at 262-796-1111.

Sponsored by: Pro-Life Wisconsin

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PRO-LIFE/PRO-FAMILY PICNIC

WHEN: Sunday, September 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: St. Dennis Catholic Church in Madison, WI – Event will be outdoors.  If the weather is inclement, it will be in the school gym & cafeteria.

Come out to celebrate life and the family!  VFL will provide beverages, hamburgers and hot dogs (until they run out). Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Yard games will be available and potato sack races will be held for both the young and young-at-heart.

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40 DAYS FOR LIFE KICK-OFF EVENT

The 2014 40 Days for Life, Madison campaign will kick off on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 with a special guest appearance by Shawn Carney.  Shawn is the National Campaign Director for 40 Days for Life.  He began as a volunteer in the pro-life movement while still in college. During this time he helped to lead the first-ever local 40 Days for Life campaign. After graduating from college, Shawn was asked to serve as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Life, a local pro-life organization in Texas made up of more than 60 churches. From its beginning, Shawn has been instrumental in growing 40 Days for Life nationally and then internationally.

Shawn is a regular media spokesperson and his work has been featured on hundreds of outlets including Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor, The Laura Ingraham Show, The Drudge Report, The Guardian, USA Today, and Christian media including The Christian Post, National Catholic Register, Sirius XM Catholic Radio, EWTN Radio, and Focus on the Family.

Shawn is one of the most sought-after pro-life speakers, addressing audiences coast-to-coast and internationally. He has executive produced award-winning pro-life documentaries, and is co-author of the #1 Top Rated Christian book: 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done … Imagine What He Can Do. Shawn lives in Texas with his wife and five children.

This kick-off event will be held on Wednesday, September 24 at 7p.m. at  the Bishop O’Connor Center.                                   Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Madison 40 Days for Life campaign will begin its 24/7 prayer vigil coverage starting at 10 p.m. following this kick-off event.

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March  For Life Pilgrimage to Washington DC departing by bus from St. Mary’s Elm Grove January 20-24. Includes 2 nights hotel stay ( 4 to a room). $300 per person covers room and bus. Anyone under 18 must beaccompanied by a chaperoned .Reservation with full payment due by Nov.1 or at capacity. For further information  and to register call 262-796-1111 or visit ProLifeWisconsin.org

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O Father in Heaven.

Thou art the Creator of life.

Protect all expectant mothers and the babies they carry in their wombs. We pray that those who suffer from the evils of abortion will be open to Thine Infinite mercy and love. We ask for the conversion of all who fail to respect the gift of human life. Heavenly Father, please guide our actions to help restore in the hearts of all people the sanctity of human life.

We humbly ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

We have a few remaining open hours this week.  Please sign up if you are able.  Monday, 8/18, Tuesday, 8/19 and Friday, 8/ 22 are 100% filled; Praise God!

OPEN HOURS

Wednesday, 8/20 – Just 75% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 12p; 1 needed at 3p; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 5p.

Thursday, 8/21 – 70% filled; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 5p.

To sign up for hours go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

(It runs from Wednesday, September 24, 2014 to Sunday, November 2, 2014.)

Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered your time and talent for the campaign.  For those of you who have not discerned where your time and talent can best be used – we still have the following volunteer opportunities available:

1.  Volunteer Caller – Personally invite past participants to join this year’s 40 Days for Life.

2.  Vigil Captain – Watch the vigil calendar throughout the week leading up to your chosen one day of the week to ensure that each hour is covered.

3.  Outreach – Personally invite other churches and organizations that are not currently participating in 40 Days for Life.

4.  Emergency Prayer Warrior – Give availability to cover hours either during the day or night to be called upon only after all other coverage options have been exhausted.

5. Parish Liaison – Sign your parish up to take part in the campaign.

To sign up for the above positions in support of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign or to sign up for your own vigil hours – please call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail her at

info@vigilforlife.org.

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MADISON BUFFER ZONE REPEALED

This past Tuesday, August 5th, the Madison Common Council voted unanimously to repeal the buffer zone they put into effect this past Spring.  Read about it here:

us6.campaign-archive2.com/

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NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ABORTED CHILDREN MEMORIAL SERVICES

Gravesite of an Aborted Baby

St. Michael Church

109 South Military Road

Dane, WI 53529

Day of Remembrance: Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m.

Special Guests: Deacon Jack Fernan

Other Info: Gravesite is located to the right of the outdoor Fatima Shrine between the church and school.

Sponsored by: Vigil for Life Madison

Gravesite of 1,500 Aborted Babies

Holy Cross Cemetery

7301 W Nash Street

Milwaukee, WI 53216

Day of Remembrance: Saturday, September 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Special Guests: His Excellency Bishop Donald Hying

Other Info: Gravesite is in the Children’s Section of the cemetery. For more info, contact Pro-Life Wisconsin at 262-796-1111.

Sponsored by: Pro-Life Wisconsin

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March  For Life Pilgrimage to Washington DC departing by bus from St. Mary’s Elm Grove January 20-24. Includes 2 nights hotel stay ( 4 to a room). $300 per person covers room and bus. Anyone under 18 must beaccompanied by a chaperoned .Reservation with full payment due by Nov.1 or at capacity. For further information  and to register call 262-796-1111 or visit ProLifeWisconsin.org

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Excerpt from Mother Teresa’s speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, Washington D.C. – Feb. 3, 1994

“But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself.

And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. Jesus gave even His life to love us. So, the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love, that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts.

By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems.

And, by abortion, the father is told that he does not have to take any responsibility at all for the child he has brought into the world. That father is likely to put other women into the same trouble. So abortion just leads to more abortion.

Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.

Many people are very, very concerned with the children of India, with the children of Africa where quite a few die of hunger, and so on. Many people are also concerned about all the violence in this great country of the United States. These concerns are very good. But often these same people are not concerned with the millions who are being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is what is the greatest destroyer of peace today – abortion which brings people to such blindness.

And for this I appeal in India and I appeal everywhere – “Let us bring the child back.” The child is God’s gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for greater things – to love and to be loved. In this year of the family we must bring the child back to the center of our care and concern. This is the only way that our world can survive because our children are the only hope for the future. As older people are called to God, only their children can take their places.”

At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  (Matthew 14: 27-29)

For some, coming to the sidewalk to pray at Planned Parenthood may be a big uncomfortable step.  Much like Peter’s first step out of the boat to walk on the water toward Jesus.  Just like Jesus beckoned to Peter to “Come”.  Jesus beckons to all to “Come” to the sidewalk to witness for life and to witness to their faith in Him.  No one need be afraid because Jesus is already there waiting with his outstretched hand.

OPEN HOURS

Monday, 8/11 and Tuesday, 8/12 – 100% filled; Praise God!!

Wednesday, 8/13 – Only 55% filled on this abortion day; 1 needed at 8a; 1 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 10a; 2 needed at 12p; 1 needed at 1p; 1 needed at 2p and 1 needed at 3p.

Thursday, 8/14 – 90% filled; 1 needed at 5p.

Friday, 8/15 – Just 50% filled;  2 needed at 2p.

To sign up for your vigil hours go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

(It runs from Wednesday, September 24, 2014 to Sunday, November 2, 2014.)

Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered your time and talent for the campaign.  For those of you who have not discerned where your time and talent can best be used – we still have the following volunteer opportunities available:

1.  Volunteer Caller – Personally invite past participants to join this year’s 40 Days for Life.

2.  Vigil Captain – Watch the vigil calendar throughout the week leading up to your chosen one day of the week to ensure that each hour is covered.

3.  Outreach – Personally invite other churches and organizations that are not currently participating in 40 Days for Life.

4.  Emergency Prayer Warrior – Give availability to cover hours either during the day or night to be called upon only after all other coverage options have been exhausted.

5. Parish Liaison – Sign your parish up to take part in the campaign.

To sign up for the above positions in support of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign or to sign up for your own vigil hours – please call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail her at info@vigilforlife.org.

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REMINDER:

Remember to vote in the primary election on Tuesday, 8/12.  Here’s a link to the Pro-Life Wisconsin PAC endorsement for the candidates in both the primary and fall elections:

www.prolifewisconsin.org/PDFs/Fall%202014%20PAC%20Endorsements.pdf

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MADISON BUFFER ZONE REPEALED

This past Tuesday, August 5th, the Madison Common Council voted unanimously to repeal the buffer zone they put into effect this past Spring.  To God be the glory!  Read about it here:

us6.campaign-archive2.com/

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Missionary Prayer

By: Raymond Hammer

Lord, help me realize

my first task in approaching

another people,

another culture,

another religion,

is to take off my shoes,

for the place I am approaching is holy.

Else I find myself

treading on another’s dreams

More serious still,

I may forget,

that You, Lord, are present

before my arrival.

Amen.

The only hour that needs to be filled for this week is 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 8/5!!

Thanks be to God from whom all blessings flow!

To sign up for this hour go to:vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

(It runs from Wednesday, September 24, 2014 to Sunday, November 2, 2014.)

Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered your time and talent for the campaign.  For those of you who have not discerned where your time and talent can best be used – we still have the following volunteer opportunities available:

1.  Volunteer Caller – Personally invite past participants to join this year’s 40 Days for Life.

2.  Vigil Captain – Watch the vigil calendar throughout the week leading up to your chosen one day of the week to ensure that each hour is covered.

3.  Outreach – Personally invite other churches and organizations that are not currently participating in 40 Days for Life.

4.  Emergency Prayer Warrior – Give availability to cover hours either during the day or night after all other coverage options have been exhausted.

5. Parish Liaison – Sign your parish up to take part in the campaign.

To sign up for the above positions in support of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign – please call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail her at info@vigilforlife.org.

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Prayer to the Spirit of Truth

Holy Spirit, You are the promised Spirit of Truth, constantly revealing the splendor of truth to Your people, and leading us deeper into the Mysteries of our Faith.

Come to us today, and deepen in our minds and hearts the truth about life: its greatness, its dignity, its reflection of the eternal God. Make us appreciate ever more the truth that life is always a good, and that every life is of equal dignity, despite all the different characteristics people have, or the different circumstances under which they come to be.

Come, Spirit of Truth. Free all Your people from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion. Free them from the false and harmful ideas which make a god out of their own choices, or which fail to recognize the right to life of children in the womb.

Come, O Holy Spirit, and as You immerse us in Your truth, so make us effective witnesses of that truth within our families, among our friends, and to all the world. Amen.

DAVID AND GOLIATH

In Steve Karlen’s speech at our volunteer organizational meeting – he likened us to David and Planned Parenthood to Goliath.  Due to our small stature, we cannot take down the giant abortion-minded organization that is Planned Parenthood in the secular public arena over which it has control however we can do it somewhat covertly – one mother and one baby at a time!

Please bring your prayers to the sidewalk this week!

OPEN HOURS

Monday 7/28 –  100% filled; Praise God!

Tuesday, 7/29 – 100% filled; Praise God!

Wednesday, 7/30 – 70% filled on this Abortion Day; 2 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 3p; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 5p.

Thursday, 7/31 – 80% filled; 2 needed at 5p.

Friday, 8/1 – 100% filled; Praise God!

To sign up for hours, go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

(It runs from Wednesday, September 24, 2014 to Sunday, November 2, 2014.)

Thank you to all who attended our volunteer organizational meeting on 7/24. A special thanks goes to Steve Karlen – North American Outreach Director for 40 Days for Life.  He gave us lots of great tips on what works and what doesn’t work when recruiting new people to join a 40 Days for Life campaign:

What works:

1.  Personally invite people you know

2.  Be direct in your recruiting (In person communication first, phone second)

3.  Be specific

4.  Challenge participants

5.  Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up

What doesn’t work:

1.  Relying on Pastors or parishes to get the word out and to fill hours

2.  Being too vague in recruiting

3.  Relying too much on publicity or social media

Thanks, too, to those of you who have already volunteered your time and talent for the campaign.  For those of you who have not been discerned where your time and talent can best be used – we still have the following volunteer opportunities available:

1.  Volunteer Caller – Personally invite past participants to join this year’s 40 Days for Life.

2.  Vigil Captain – Watch the vigil calendar throughout the week leading up to your chosen one day of the week to ensure that each hour is covered.

3.  Outreach – Personally invite other churches and organizations that are not currently participating in 40 Days for Life.

4.  Emergency Prayer Warrior – Give availability to cover hours either during the day or night after all other coverage options have been exhausted.

5.  Sleep No More Coordinator – Work with Curt Jacobsen to ensure that all of the overnight hours (6p-8a) are covered by men.

To sign up for the above positions in support of this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign – please call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail her at info@vigilforlife.org.

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LOST AND FOUND

A couple of weeks ago a music book (inspirational hits of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s) was left on the sidewalk.  If you are missing it, please call Katie Mueller at (608)742-1579.

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ST. LUKE’S RESPECT LIFE PRAYER

(St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, Palm Harbor, FL)

O Blessed Mother,

Pray for us your children

That we may be strong against the forces of death.

Look down upon the babies not allowed to be born,

On the poor, on the victims of social injustice,

On the elderly and sick killed by the indifference or misguided mercy.

Help us appreciate the miracle of life as a gift from God,

And may we become a PEOPLE OF LIFE!

Amen.

Just a little reminder that the Fall 2014 40 Days for Life volunteer organizational meeting will be on Thursday, 7/24 at 6:30p at the Bishop O’Connor Center.  Come out to hear from Steve Karlen – North American Outreach Director for the 40 Days for Life national organization!  Hope to see you there!

“Brothers and sisters:

The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

And the one who searches hearts

knows what is the intention of the Spirit,

because he intercedes for the holy ones

according to God’s will.”  Romans 8: 26-27

It is true that there are days on the sidewalk when it is difficult to pray and we feel like “we do not know how to pray as we ought”.  It’s difficult to see a young woman walk out from Planned Parenthood after having had an abortion (truly one of the saddest scenes to ever witness).  Not only because she looks so, so sad but also because you know that her baby just lost his/her life to abortion.  You don’t always know what to say.  So – thanks be to God that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and that Jesus – “the one who searches hearts”  – knows what are the intentions of the Holy Spirit; who is interceding for us when we find it difficult to pray and when we don’t know what to say!

Thank you to the prayer warriors already signed up for this week.  We are still looking for some more!  Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to pray on the sidewalk this week; the Holy Spirit will intercede for you!

OPEN HOURS

Monday, 7/21 – 100% filled; Praise God!

Tuesday, 7/22 – 94% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 12p.

Wednesday, 7/23 – 90% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 8a and 1 needed at 9a.

Thursday, 7/24 – 80% filled; 1 needed at 4p and 1 needed at 5p.

Friday, 7/25 – 50% filled; 2 needed at 1p.

To sign up for hours go to:  vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or e-mail info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER MEETING

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

(It runs from Wednesday, September 24, 2014 to Sunday, November 2, 2014.)

Vigil for Life is pleased to report that since last year’s 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, God has blessed us with many graces in changing hearts & minds and in saving lives.  Through our daily peaceful and prayerful presence and with God’s grace, we have been able to send many women over to the Women’s Care Center where they are given the support needed to choose life for their baby.  We are seeing the fruits of our labor due to sacrifice (giving until it hurts) and God’s guiding hand.  OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED! God is working through us to bring an awareness; to open hearts & minds; to change hearts & minds and to save lives !

Come and hear from Steve Karlen – North American Outreach Director for the 40 Days for Life national organization.  Come and see how God can use you to open hearts & minds and to save lives!!

Our 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign Volunteer meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 6:30p.m.at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.

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LOST AND FOUND

A couple of weeks ago a music book (inspirational hits of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s) was left on the sidewalk.  If you are missing it, please call Katie Mueller at (608)742-1579.

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PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (from Catholic Online)

Holy Spirit of light and love, you are the substantial love of the Father and the Son; hear my prayer. Bounteous bestower of most precious gifts, grant me a strong and living faith which makes me accept all revealed truths and shape my conduct in accord with them. Give me a most confident hope in all divine promises which prompts me to abandon myself unreservedly to you and your guidance. Infuse into me a love of perfect goodwill, and act according to God’s least desires. Make me love not only my friends but my enemies as well, in imitation of Jesus Christ who through you offered himself on the Cross for all people. Holy Spirit, animate, inspire, and guide me, and help me to be always a true follower of you. Amen.

“Just as from the heavens

the rain and snow come down

and do not return there

till they have watered the earth

making it fertile and fruitful,…”  Isaiah 55: 10

In yesterday’s first reading, Isaiah relays to us how the rain and snow are sent from the heavens (by God) to water the earth so that the earth will become fertile and fruitful.  You, our Vigil for Life Prayer Warriors, can be likened to the rain and the snow (and yes, sent from God) as your prayers, peaceful witness & sidewalk counseling all help to open ears and soften hearts to make them more ready to hear God’s word and Gospel of Life.

Thank you to all who are bringing your prayers to the sidewalk this week.  And – to those who are not yet on the schedule – won’t you please bring your prayers to the sidewalk this week?

OPEN HOURS

Monday, 7/14 and Tuesday, 7/15 – 100% filled; Praise God!

Wednesday, 7/16 – 80% filled on this Abortion Day – 1 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 3p; 1 needed at 4p and 1 needed at 5p.

Thursday, 7/17 – 80% filled – 1 needed at 4p and 1 needed at 5p.

Friday, 7/18 – 100% filled – Praise God!

To sign up for hours, please go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen Finnegan at (608)393-8545 or send an e-mail to info@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE SIDEWALK COUNSELOR TRAINING

If you are interested in sidewalk counselor training – mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 16th at 6:30p.m.  Veteran sidewalk counselor and head of the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Will Goodman, fellow servant, Jen Dunnett and head of Rachel’s Vineyard in Madison, Mary Mead – will conduct the training.  It will be held at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.

If you are already a sidewalk counselor and wish to come just to share stories with others, feel free to join with this training group.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER MEETING

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

Vigil for Life is pleased to report that since last year’s 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, God has blessed us with many graces in changing hearts & minds and in saving lives.  Through our daily peaceful and prayerful presence and with God’s grace, we have been able to send many women over to the Women’s Care Center where they are given the support needed to choose life for their baby.  We are seeing the fruits of our labor due to sacrifice (giving until it hurts) and God’s guiding hand.  OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED! God is working through us to bring an awareness; to open hearts & minds; to change hearts & minds and to save lives !

Come and see how God can use you to open hearts & minds and to save lives!!

Our 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign Volunteer meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 6:30p.m.at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.

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STORIES FROM THE SIDEWALK

Great news! The City of Madison will not be enforcing the buffer zone portion of the city ordinance calling for such (for the time being). They will still, however, enforce the no trespassing and the no blocking the entrance to the facility portion. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! All prayer warriors can relax and go back to not worrying about being in violation of the buffer zone!

Here are links to a couple of articles regarding this decision by the City of Madison:

us6.campaign-archive1.com/

www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/8906

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54 DAY NOVENA TO CLOSE ABORTION MILLS

This Novena is being led by Fr. Richard Heilman.  Please join us in praying to close abortion mills including Planned Parenthood – Madison.  For more information go to: www.facebook.com/events/499446790186729/

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PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Our Lady of Guadalupe, we turn to you who are the protectress of unborn children and ask that you intercede for us, so that we may more firmly resolve to join you in protecting all human life. Let our prayers be united to your perpetual motherly intercession on behalf of those whose lives are threatened, be they in the womb of their mother, on the bed of infirmity, or in the latter years of their life. May our prayers also be coupled with peaceful action, which witnesses to the goodness and dignity of all human life, so that our firmness of purpose may give courage to those who are fearful and bring light to those who are blinded by sin. Encourage those who bring prayer and peaceful witness to the sidewalk of Planned Parenthood, Madison; help them to walk closely with God and to give voice to the cry of the oppressed, in order to remind our nation of its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people. O Virgin Mother of God, present our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with abundant life. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

“And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts. Jesus gave even His life to love us. So, the mother who is thinking of abortion, should be helped to love, that is, to give until it hurts her plans, or her free time, to respect the life of her child. The father of that child, whoever he is, must also give until it hurts.” – Mother Teresa

Can you bring some love to give to the sidewalk this week?

OPEN HOURS

Monday, 7/7 – 100% filled; Praise God!

Tuesday, 7/8 – Just 63% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 12p; 2 needed at 1p; 1 needed at 3p and 1 needed at 4p.

Wednesday, 7/9 – Only 60% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 8a; 1 needed at 9a; 1 needed at 12p; 1 needed at 2p; 2 needed at 3p and 2 needed at 5p.

Thursday, 7/10 – Just 70% filled; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 5p.

Friday, 7/11 – 75% filled; 1 needed at 2p.

To sign up for hours go to: vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or call Gwen at (608)393-8545 or e-mailinfo@vigilforlife.org.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE SIDEWALK COUNSELOR TRAINING

If you are interested in sidewalk counselor training – mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 16th at 6:30p.m.  Veteran sidewalk counselor and head of the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Will Goodman, fellow servant, Jen Dunnett and head of Rachel’s Vineyard in Madison, Mary Mead – will conduct the training.

If you are already a sidewalk counselor and wish to come just to share stories with others, feel free to join with this training group.

The location is still TBA.

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VIGIL FOR LIFE – MADISON – 40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER MEETING

It’s time to start planning for our fall 2014 40 Days for Life campaign!

Vigil for Life is pleased to report that since last year’s 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, God has blessed us with many graces in changing hearts & minds and in saving lives.  Through our daily peaceful and prayerful presence and with God’s grace, we have been able to send many women over to the Women’s Care Center where they are given the support needed to choose life for their baby.  One of the best phone calls to get is from those on the sidewalk telling of “turn arounds” and of lives saved.  We are seeing the fruits of our labor due to sacrifice (giving until it hurts) and God’s guiding hand.  OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED! God is working through us to bring an awareness; to open hearts & minds; to change hearts & minds and to save lives !

Our 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign Volunteer meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 6:30p.  Location is TBA.

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STORIES FROM THE SIDEWALK

Great news! The City of Madison will not be enforcing the buffer zone portion of the city ordinance calling for such (for the time being). They will still, however, enforce the no trespassing and the no blocking the entrance to the facility portion. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! All prayer warriors can relax and go back to not worrying about being in violation of the buffer zone!

Here are links to a couple of articles regarding this decision by the City of Madison:

us6.campaign-archive1.com/

www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/8906

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Prayer for the Protection and Promotion of all Life

By: 2hearts network

Loving God, I thank you for the gift of life you gave and continue to give to me and to all of us. Merciful God, I ask your pardon and forgiveness for my own failure and the failure of all people to respect and foster all forms of life in our universe. Gracious God, I pray that with your grace, I and all people will reverence, protect, and promote all life and that we will be especially sensitive to the life of the unborn, the abused, neglected, disabled, and the elderly.  I pray, too, that all who make decisions about life in any form will do so with wisdom, love, and courage.  Living God, I praise and glorify you as Father, Source of all life, as Son, Savior of our lives, and as Spirit, Sanctifier of our lives.

Amen.

In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about Peter’s imprisonment and how an angel of the Lord led him out of prison thereby saving him from Herod’s wrath.  However, before this all happened, “…prayer by the church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.” (Acts 12:5)

This phrase from scripture certainly speaks to the great power of intercessory prayer.

Please bring your fervent intercessory prayers to the sidewalk this week.

OPEN HOURS

Monday, 6/30 – 100% filled; Thanks be to God!

Tuesday, 7/1 – 94% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 4p.

Wednesday, 7/2 – Only 75% filled on this Abortion Day; 1 needed at 2p; 1 needed at 3p; 1 needed at 4p and 2 needed at 5p.

Thursday, 7/3 – 90% filled; 1 needed at 4p.

Friday, 7/4 –  Planned Parenthood will be closed this day.  Enjoy the holiday!  By the way, their tag line on their website reads, “Care. No Matter What.”

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YOU ARE INVITED TO:  A Prayer Rally for Purity organized to spiritually combat the impurity that permeates throughout our society and our culture. On Tuesday, July 1st during the Hour of Mercy from 3pm to 4pm we are asking people throughout our country to unite in a Prayer Rally for Purity.

To Register for this event or for more information visit –reclaimthekingdom.org

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VIGIL FOR LIFE SIDEWALK COUNSELOR TRAINING

If you are interested in sidewalk counselor training – mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 16th at 6:30p.m.  Veteran sidewalk counselor and head of the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Will Goodman, fellow servant, Jen Dunnett and head of Rachel’s Vineyard in Madison, Mary Mead – will conduct the training.

If you are already a sidewalk counselor and wish to come just to share stories with others, feel free to join with this training group.

The location is still TBA.

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Prayer for Joyful Fidelity to our Mission

by Fr. Frank Pavone, M.E.V.

Lord God,

We thank you for our salvation in Jesus Christ.

We thank you for the call he gives us –

Not a call to sit in a corner cowering in fear over our enemies,

Mystified about how to overcome the Culture of Death,

Despondent because of our sins,

Or worried about the perceived political strength of our opponents.

Rather, it is a call to stand victorious in the light of the Resurrection

And to proclaim to the Culture of Death:

“You have been conquered!

You have no place here,

No power to defeat the forces of truth and goodness!”

Yes, Lord, we stand in that light

And we are filled with joy –

Not a superficial joy that rises and falls

With the ebb and flow of circumstances beyond our control,

But with the profound joy

That only you can give

And that nobody can take away.

In the strength of that joy,

May we your people continue to proclaim your truth

And share your grace

Not only within the walls of our Churches,

But in the halls of government,

In the voting booth,

In the media,

And in every inch of the public square.

Lord, in our work for you, may we find you.

In our efforts to change the world, may we ourselves be changed.

In our struggle to build a Culture of Life, may we find life eternal.

We pray through Christ our Lord.

Amen.