Dear Prayer Warriors,

Well, it’s becoming a routine….each week results in one or more turnarounds due to prayer warrior sacrifice on the sidewalk.  Praise God and pray that His blessings continue to increase!

Last week another customer of Planned Parenthood opted for the Women’s Care Center instead. When the sidewalk counselor offered a flyer on getting a second opinion across the street, the two women who had intended to enter the abortuary, approached him.  One of them was coming for a pregnancy test and birth control but indicated she was against abortion and would keep her baby if she found out she was pregnant.  When it was pointed out to them that Planned Parenthood is Wisconsin’s leading abortion provider, they were surprised.  He explained that many services are available to them at the Women’s Care Center and that all services are free.  They entered Planned Parenthood but didn’t stay long.  Later they told the sidewalk counselor that they “liked the Women’s Care Center….much more calming and they’re much nicer!”

This is how God uses us!  We are His vessels.  We are here to do His will.  It is our choice whether to be obedient, to do what is asked of us.  Planned Parenthood violates the fifth commandment (and others) daily – Thou shalt not kill!  What are YOU doing about it?  Indifference gives them permission and reinforces their grievous sin!  And it drags other unknowing souls down with them.

If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will.  There are set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.  Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him.  Choose life!”  (Sirach 15:14-17)

We cannot call ourselves pro-life and do nothing about it! There are many hours open this week and EVERY week on the Vigil for Life calendar.  If you haven’t committed to an hour or hours, it’s time to “walk the walk”.  It is our duty.  We will be held accountable for our response to God’s call.

Open Hours This Week:

Tuesday, 5/28/13: 1 needed at 10:00, 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00pm; 2 needed atnoon, 2:00, and 4:00pm 10 hours open!  Only 38% filled!

Wednesday, 5/29/13: 1 needed at 9:00, 1:00, and 2:00pm;  2 needed at8:00, 11:00, noon, 4:00, and 5:00pm  13 OPEN HOURS!!  Only 35% filled!

Thursday, 5/30/13: 1 needed at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00pm:  2 needed at5:00pm  6 open hours!  Only 40% filled!

Friday, 5/31/13: 1 needed at 2:00pm  

Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a monthly recurrent hour.  We need parishes and groups to commit to a block of hours.  The sacrifice will not be great if many contribute just a little of their time!  Call me with questions….

“In the course of life, mortifications will not be lacking for us.  Let us love them; let us embrace them with a cheerful soul, and let us always bless the good God in everything.”  (Saint Padre Pio)

For life,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Prayer Warriors,

On Pentecost Sunday Jesus appeared to the apostles and said, ” As the Father has sent me, so I send you….Receive the Holy Spirit.”  He breathed on them, took possession of them in the name of God, enabling them to confront the evil spirits of the world in the battle for souls.

Remember this as you sign up for prayer hours; you are not alone out there.  As a prayer warrior, spiritual forces are with you; you only need to ask for their help.  Our Blessed Mother, St. Michael the Archangel, all the holy angels and saints are there to intercede for you.  And, of course, the Holy Spirit is there to give you the strength and the tools to change hearts and win souls for heaven.

He certainly was there last week as a woman approached Planned Parenthood but turned away when she saw people praying and holding signs. According to her friend who related this story, “They (the prayer warriors) looked at her…and she couldn’t go past them.  She went over to the Women’s Care Center….”  and later said that “she thinks she is starting to become pro life.”  The person who contacted me with this information said that she “is SO GRATEFUL that there were people there with signs who looked at my friend, and probably prayed for her, so she didn’t want to walk through the signs to go in Planned Parenthood.  And she’s glad she didn’t go in Planned Parenthood, too…..She doesn’t know yet if she is pregnant,….but is in a mindset to choose parenting or adoption, if so….”

See what the Holy Spirit can do???  NOT A WORD WAS SAID TO CHANGE HER MIND!  PRAYER ON THE SIDEWALK DID IT ALL!

There are many out there with situations similar to this woman’s.  And there are many hours of prayer that need to be filled this week!  It is not the thing that most people would choose to do with their free time but, as David Bereit from 40 Days for Life, often says, “I didn’t want to do it but I did it anyway!”

“Jesus did the will of the Father when it was not at all pleasing to his human nature.  It was not pleasing, even long before the Passion, to be treated with ingratitude…..But he did the will of the Father always and not just when it was agreeable to his humanity.” (Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., Abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico)

CAN YOU SACRIFICE AN HOUR EACH WEEK OR EACH MONTH?

Open Hours This Week: MANY OPEN HOURS!

Tuesday, 5/21/13: 1 needed at 11:00, noon and 3:00pm; 2 needed at 9:00,10:00am, 1:00, 2:00, and 4:00pm 13 hours open!  Only 19% filled!

Wednesday, 5/22/13: 2 needed at 11:00, noon, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, and5:00pm  14 OPEN HOURS!!  Only 30% filled!

Thursday, 5/23/13: 1 needed at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00pm

Friday, 5/24/13: 2 needed at 1:00 and 2:00pm  0% filled!

Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a monthly recurrent hour.  Can your group sign up for a 2 hour block each week or month and rotate group members to alleviate the load of those who are out there for many hours each week?  Call me with questions….

One other request.…I still have no vigil captain to make calls filling prayer hours for week 5 (which is next week).  This could be a shared duty if 2 people would like to split the week but usually it is only a partial week to cover since week 1 often shares the final week.  Can you sacrifice from May through August and help? Call me with questions.

Courtesy Announcement:

There will be a Sidewalk Counseling 101 Class led by Dan Miller at St. Jerome’s in Oconomowoc on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at 6:30pm.  There is no charge!  All are welcome!

If you are interested in a class in the Madison area, let me know.  Dan would be glad to lead a class or coordinate with a panel if we have enough people.

God bless you,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Friends,

First the good news…

Last week’s prayer and sacrifice on the sidewalk of Planned Parenthood produced 3 TURNAWAYS!

• On Wednesday a young woman left PP after being informed by prayer warriors that it is an abortion mill.  Sidewalk counselors believe she left because she didn’t want to support a place that kills babies.
• On Friday a couple did not keep their appointment at PP after talking with the sidewalk counselor and went to the Women’s Care Center instead.
• Also on Friday a couple crossed the street to the WCC after a short time in PP.  The sidewalk counselor described them as friendly and happy as they left the parking lot.

These turnaways are a loss of business for Planned Parenthood and are key to changing hearts.  One by one, with your prayer and sacrifice, we will close their doors and those of all in the abortion industry….all in God’s time!

Now the bad news…

Of course not every day brings results as this.  As one prayer warrior told me, “Yesterday was very busy at Planned Parenthood.  At times there must have been 10 – 12 ladies in the waiting room at the same time.  We tried to make contact with most but got no responses.”

When help is rejected, prayers are needed even more.  These women have bought into the lies they’ve been told by our secular culture. Please take an hour and pray for them!  You never know when your prayers outside will cause them to leave.

Open Hours This Week: Only Tuesday and Wednesday!

Tuesday, 5/07/13: 1 needed at 1:00 and 4:00pm;  Praise God!  Only 2 hours to fill!

Wednesday, 5/08/13: 1 needed at 9:00am, 10:00, 11:00, noon, and 1:00pm;  2 needed at 4:00 and 5:00pm  9 OPEN HOURS!!  Only 55% filled!

Praise God and thank you to those who signed up in advance of the email!  This helps our vigil captains so much!

Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a monthly recurrent hour.  Can your group sign up for a 2 hour block each week or month and rotate group members to alleviate the load of those who are out there for many hours each week?  Call me with questions….

Finally, I am in need of a week 5 vigil captain from May through August.  This usually involves making calls to fill prayer hours for only part of a week since week 5 generally shares the week with the week 1 vigil captain.  Please call me and I can answer your questions!

Hope you mothers had a wonderful day yesterday….may God bless you for choosing life!

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Please include in your prayers a woman, deeply wounded by rape and incest, resulting in a pregnancy; she is filled with anger, despair, and now guilt over her father’s suicide.  Ask God to mercifully heal her, that she may forgive and live in His peace.  Please pray for sidewalk counselors who may deal with a victim such as this, that their words are carefully chosen and provide comfort.

Prayers are also asked for Sister John Rose Acker of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, who has just been diagnosed with cancer and has only a few months to live.  Sister has worked with the poor, the sick, and the dying and has been a beacon of light in bringing souls into the pro-life movement.  Ask God in His mercy to grant a miracle cure.  Sister is so VERY grateful for everyone’s prayers.

And, as always, we need your prayers for the end of abortion!  Please sign up for an hour or more and witness for the tiny victims who have no choice.  Hours are especially in need of filling on Planned Parenthood’s abortion days….Tuesday and Wednesday but there are also open hours on Thursday and Friday.  If you are not committed to daytime work hours, could you fit in an hour of prayer on any of these days?  You could be the one to save a life by taking a few minutes to come and pray!

Open Hours This Week:

Tuesday, 5/07/13: 1 needed at noon and 2:00pm; 2 needed at 1:00 and 4:00pm  63% filled!

Wednesday, 5/08/13: 1 needed at 9:00am, 2:00, and 3:00pm;  2 needed at 8:00am, 11:00am, noon, 1:00, 4:00,and 5:00pm  15 OPEN HOURS!!  Only 25% filled!

Thursday, 5/09/13: 1 needed at 3:00, and 4:00, and 5:00pm

Friday, 5/10/13: 1 needed at 2:00pm

Can you help? Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a monthly recurrent hour.

“Lord, I commit myself today to the love of others, especially those most in need.”  (Fr. Frank Pavone)

For life,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Prayer Warriors,

I just received a request for prayers for an abortion-minded 16 year old mother. She is scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow so we need to storm heaven with prayers for her and her baby. Let’s pray that the image and information provided to her tomorrow will make it clear that continuing her pregnancy to term is the only choice to make. On this feast of St. Joseph, let us also pray for the staff who will counsel and guide her.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

In Christ,

Bette

Dear Friends,

Today, an abortion day at Planned Parenthood, ANOTHER BABY WAS SAVED! A young couple sat in their car, debating whether to go in but decided to leave after seeing three prayer warrriors on their knees on the sidewalk. As they left, they stopped long enough for the mother to tell them she changed her mind. Praise God for His mercy!

It’s very possible that, if no one was out there praying, this couple would have gone through with taking their child’s life. THIS IS WHY WE NEED YOU OUT THERE! These parents found another way because of what they observed, people who care enough to come out in public to sacrifice and pray for them.

There are still open hours tomorrow and Thursday. SIGN UP! You never know when God will bless your hour of prayer with news like this.

Open Hours Tomorrow and Thursday:

Wednesday, 5/01/13: 1 needed at 1:00, 3:00, and 4:00pm; 2 needed at 5:00pm

Thursday, 5/02/13: 1 needed at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00pm

Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up.

For life,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Friends,

Last Thursday a consultation appointment was scheduled by a mother who had planned to proceed with an abortion even after seeing her baby’s ultrasound. This first appointment is required by law and would have started the process in motion for her to end her child’s life.

But our prayers were heard….she cancelled the appointment and will give birth this fall!

Prayer warriors were out on the sidewalk that day, sacrificing and offering prayers that this mother and father would find another way…and they did. These acts of love were seen and answered. Praise and thanks be to God!

But the next day, on Friday, there were many more entering the parking lot of Planned Parenthood for first appointments, scheduling abortions for this week.

I just read a quote from Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation, echoing our request to you each week: “We encourage those in the pro-life community to pray for (abortionists) to have a change of heart about committing abortions. Next week promises to be a busy abortion week, so it is important for anyone that can….to take a shift outside (Planned Parenthood) abortion clinic to pray and offer practical help to women seeking abortions.”

Many hours are available this week to give support and pray for these babies and their desperate mothers. Can you help? Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a monthly recurrent hour.

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Open Hours This Week:

Tuesday, 4/30/13: 1 needed at 10:00am; 2 needed at 9:00, noon,1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00pm 13 OPEN HOURS!! Only 19% filled!

Wednesday, 5/01/13: 1 needed at 1:00pm; 2 needed at 8:00, 9:00, 11:00am, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00,and 5:00pm 15 OPEN HOURS!! Only 25% filled!

Thursday, 5/02/13: 1 needed at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00pm

Reminder: Beacon of Hope Webcast Tomorrow Night, April 29!

There’s still time! Be sure to register for Monday’s special evening with the National 40 Days for Life leadership team!

EVENT: 40 Days for Life “BEACON OF HOPE” webcast and teleconference

DATE: Monday, April 29

TIME: 8 PM Central

FORMAT: Simulcast (attend via phone or webcast; it’s your choice)

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE EVENT BY VISITING:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/beaconofhope

You will hear the results of the most successful spring 40 Days for Life campaign ever!
You will hear motivating stories from other 40 Days for Life campaigns – lives saved, abortion workers quitting, abortion centers closing!
You will hear how YOU can make a profound impact – HERE – in Madison!
Join me in attending this event by registering now!

Courtesy Announcement:

St. Paul’s University Spring Wine Fest, Friday, May 3, 2013 – You will enjoy a wonderful evening! Don’t miss this event! Attend and support this great Diocesan apostolate, which in addition to providing Vigil warriors at the college level, has helped develop the faith of many adults in our Diocese who go on to be leaders in the Pro-Life movement. For more information and to register, go to:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e73ey5pz8448dec3&llr=sip8n8cab

May God bless you,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Friends,

They stand at the door waiting for Planned Parenthood to open and allow them in, to solve their “problem”. It’s not easy watching each of them sit in the waiting room, filling out their clipboard of information before going through another door to the room where their child’s life is taken.

This was the scene last week as a few prayer warriors fervently prayed and counseled on the sidewalk. This will be the scene again this week too. Some days will be, according to our mortal, human vision, fruitless….it will seem that our prayer and presence is all a waste of time.

But we don’t always see the seeds planted – part of God’s plan as in the following testimony from last week: “As I was leaving the vigil this morning the man working on replacing the windows at the apartment buildings bordering the parking lot had a very nice conversation. He yelled out a thank you to me as I was getting into my car so I went over to talk to him. He said he had been working there a few weeks and was so grateful and impressed by the presence there….he said he is non-denominational and very pro-life.” ….these seeds are bearing fruit already! Other days will show us even greater rewards – saved babies, turnaways. It is said that nothing great happens without sacrifice….

AND THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!

There IS great sacrifice each week but only by a few!

One prayer warrior put in 12 hours last week to cover open hours! Others are out there 4 or more hours each week to make sure time slots are filled!

LET’S SHARE THE LOAD!

We EACH have a duty, a responsibility, to stand up when there is injustice, to show the culture of life is the better way. One day we will be asked if we did enough, indeed, if we did anything at all! Below are the open hours this week; it’s time for YOU to sign up….

Open Hours This Week:

Tuesday, 4/23/13: 1 needed at 9:00; 2 needed at 10:00, 11:00, noon,1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00pm 15 OPEN HOURS!! Only 6% filled!

Wednesday, 4/24/13: 1 needed at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00am; 2 needed at 11:00am, noon, 1:00, 3:00, 4:00,and 5:00pm 15 OPEN HOURS!! Only 25% filled!

Thursday, 4/25/13: 1 needed at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00pm

Friday, 4/26/13: 1 needed at 2:00pm

Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a monthly recurrent hour. THIS CAN’T BE DONE BY ONLY A FEW!!

Courtesy Announcement:

St. Paul’s University Spring Wine Fest – You will enjoy a wonderful evening! Attend and support this great Diocesan apostolate, which in addition to providing Vigil warriors at the college level, has helped developed the faith of many adults in our Diocese who go on to be leaders in the Pro-Life movement. For more information and to register, go to:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e73ey5pz8448dec3&llr=sip8n8cab

For Life,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Friends,

I just heard from Shawn Carney and David Bereit of the national 40 Days for Life leadership team, and I am VERY excited about what they shared with me:

http://40daysforlife.com/beaconofhope

Turn on any radio, television, or the Internet and you’re inundated with bad news:

* Economic crisis

* Government assault on religious freedom

* Attacks against marriage and family

* The trial exposing Kermit Gosnell’s Philadelphia “house of horrors” abortion facility

* The woman who recently died following an abortion at LeRoy Carhart’s late-term abortion center in Maryland

* A Planned Parenthood spokesperson defending after-birth infanticide to Florida legislators

But even in the midst of this daunting darkness, there is a beacon of HOPE:

http://40daysforlife.com/beaconofhope

On the evening of April 15, instead of complaining about the government sending half a billion tax dollars to underwrite Planned Parenthood’s abortion empire …

… join me to do something about it — on “Beacon of Hope,” a LIVE teleconference and web simulcast event.

Here are the details:

*****************************************************

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

EVENT: 40 Days for Life “BEACON OF HOPE” webcast and teleconference

DATE: Monday, April 15

TIME: 8 PM Central

FORMAT: Simulcast (attend via phone or webcast; it’s your choice)

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE EVENT BY VISITING:

http://40daysforlife.com/beaconofhope

*****************************************************

During this inspiring one-time-only phone and web event, we will learn:

* The stunning results accomplished during this spring’s 40 Days for Life — the largest and most successful spring campaign EVER …

* How one city’s 12th 40 Days for Life campaign resulted in SEVEN babies saved, TWO abortion workers quitting, and one abortion center CLOSING …

* What a first-time 40 Days for Life campaign did to expose abortions taking place at a medical building — without the owners’ knowledge — getting the abortions STOPPED and the abortionist EVICTED …

* The breaking news of how a 63-year-old grandma — who was assaulted while praying at 40 Days for Life outside a Planned Parenthood — used media coverage of her attack to prompt a state health department investigation into dangerous conditions at the abortion center — which just SUSPENDED ABORTIONS …

* The powerful story of one mom who chose life during a previous 40 Days for Life before becoming a volunteer and helping ANOTHER mom in a similar situation choose life during this spring’s campaign …

* … And how YOU can help make a profound impact and
STOP ABORTION — right where you live!

This is the great news we’ve been waiting for, and it’s absolutely free to attend the event — however spaces are limited and they are filling up fast …

… so REGISTER NOW at:

http://40daysforlife.com/beaconofhope

This is going to be GREAT, and I hope you can join me on the teleconference or web simulcast Monday night!

For Life,

Bette Weisshaar

Dear Friends,

When we think about wounded hearts and the darkness brought on by abortion, we tend to think mostly of the mothers. They are the ones who carry their child and go through the mental and physical trauma of abortion, either by choice or by coercion. We sometimes forget that there are fathers out there who also have to live with the same wounds and scars. Last week a sidewalk counselor met one of these fathers and told the following story…..

“A man walked up to the sidewalk in front of PP and asked what we were doing with our signs out there. When I told him we were praying and offering a better option for women who were considering an abortion he shared his story. Six years ago, his girlfriend went to this same facility for an abortion. He was not with her but was able to reach her on the phone. He convinced her to not go through with the abortion. She agreed and told the staff she changed her mind. Their response was, “It’s too late, you have to complete the abortion now.” In tears, he said that child would be six now and he thinks about it every day. This situation demonstrates why it is so important that women are given ample time to think clearly through their decision, given helpful alternatives and support and why a father’s input would be part of the discussion as well.”

We are out there to pray for a change of heart for those entering Planned Parenthood but also for those who walk or drive by. This man might have been a student or an employee of a nearby business; he was not a client of the abortion mill. Please come out and pray for those we don’t even know about who are experiencing the anguish of this man. If you don’t want to counsel and only want to pray, that’s fine. Prayer is what changes people; your presence is a form of prayer!

“Lord Jesus Christ, you turned the tree of death into the Tree of Life: Grant us the love to wipe away the tears of all who weep.” (Magnificat Prayer Intercession)

This week in particular let us pray for abortionists and employees of abortion mills – that they will see that their jobs revolve around the destruction of human life, that they will seek other employment, and know that we are out there to help and pray for them as well.

And, of course, we need you out on the sidewalk for those who plan to enter this abortuary, that upon seeing you in prayer for them and their baby, their ONLY choice will be life! Sunday was the Feast of Divine Mercy, a gift of grace to strengthen and unify us. Absence and silence allow the vulnerable innocents to be victims – as on Good Friday. Join us – especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when abortions are done all day long!

Open Hours This Week!

Monday, 4/08/13: 100% filled! Praise God!

Tuesday, 4/09/13: 1 needed at 11:00am, 2:00, 3:00pm; 2 needed at noon, 1:00, and 4:00pm

Wednesday, 4/10/13: 1 needed at 9:00am, 11:00am, and 1:00pm; 2 needed at 8:00am, noon, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00pm 15 Open Hours! YIKES!

Thursday, 4/11/13: 1 needed at 1:00 and 5:00pm

Friday, 4/12/13: 1 needed at 2:00pm

Go to vigilforlife.org or call Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or email at info@vigilforlife.org to sign up for one of these hours or a recurrent hour.

Pro-Life Wisconsin 2013 Spring Awards Dinner

Be sure to register for the upcoming Spring Awards Dinner, Thursday, April 18, featuring keynote speaker, Walter Hoye II! Walter Hoye is the founder and President of the Issues4Life foundation, a key member of the National Black Pro-Life Coalition, and a tireless advocate for personhood. PLW will also honor the Activist of the Year, Mary Gundrum, as well as the Legislator of the Year, Rep. David Craig.

For more information and to register, visit our website. Register now, space is limited!
Courtesy Announcement

Healing after Abortion: Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats – for anyone who is struggling with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. These retreats are for women, men, couples, grandparents, adult siblings of the aborted baby, relatives, and friends who have been affected by abortion. This also includes clinic workers who have stopped working at an abortion clinic. The next retreat will be April 12 – 14, near Madison. For information call Mary 608-221-9593 or email: HelpForYou@straphael.org or www.madisondiocese.org/rachel. Confidentiality is assured.

God bless you,

Bette Weisshaar