Vigil for Life to host national civil rights speaker

In this issue:

• VFL to host national civil rights speaker Ryan Bomberger on Wednesday March 23
• Sidewalk counseling training leads to first turnaround at Madison's Planned Parenthood
• Help Needed for "365 for Life"!

Ryan Bomberger to speak on March 23

Ryan Bomberger, co-founder The Radiance Foundation and TooManyAborted.com, will speak in Madison on March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Bishop O'Connor Center (702 S. High Point Road, Madison), courtesy of Vigil for Life, Pro-Life Wisconsin and the Diocese of Madison.

Ryan is an adoptee and adoptive father, who has exposed the abortion industry's penchant for targeting minorities. Ryan's Black and Unwanted billboard campaign made national headlines in Wisconsin this year, drawing attention to the fact that with only six percent of Wisconsin's population, African Americans account for nearly a quarter of all abortions. His powerful multimedia live presentation illuminates the truth about pressing social issues, especially abortion and adoption.

This event is FREE and open to all ages. A reception will follow Ryan’s presentation.

Madison will also be hosting two other first-class events this spring:

• The Day at the Capitol (Thursday, March 10, 9 a.m.-noon) will feature Lieutenant Governor and Vigil for Life supporter Rebecca Kleefisch, top pro-life legislators, a full breakfast, and a comprehensive training on how to engage your legislators.
• Pro-Life Wisconsin's Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday April 10 will honor Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth, who risked his career in opposing the imposition of Planned Parenthood's explicit sex education curriculum on his community's public schools. The Event will be headlined by Joe Scheidler, considered by many to be the "Father of Pro-Life Activism."

Hope to see you there!

Sidewalk counselor training leads to first Planned Parenthood turnaround!

Vigil for Life and Pro-Life Wisconsin's February 11-12 sidewalk counselor training prepared more than 30 people (from all across Wisconsin and even Iowa!) to serve as the last line of defense for women considering abortion.

And we're happy report tonight that one of the newly trained counselors re-directed a couple from Planned Parenthood to the very pro-life Our Lady of Hope Clinic! Well done!

In the coming days, we'll be posting the sidewalk counselor training materials on the newly revamped Vigil for Life website.

Help Needed for "365 for Life"!

We need your help today for "365 for Life" in two ways:

1. We still have openings this week (9-11 Tuesday, 9-10 on Wednesday, and 1-3 on Friday). If you are not available for these times, please consider other open times in February and March, especially monthly commitments, to maintain and expand our perpetual presence. Sign up at http://vigilforlife.org/calendar/.

2. We need help your help in our outreach efforts for "365 for Life." A few of you have already volunteered to help with making phone calls to "recruit" prayer warriors. Thank you! We do need a THREE more volunteers. Contact Laura Karlen at 608-445-2064 or laura@vigilforlife.org if you can help!

Baby Saved on First Day of 365 Initiative!

Looking for a little extra motivation to sign up for the 365 Initiative? Consider this: it only took one day to save our first baby.

Earlier today, an older couple brought a frightened-looking young mother to Planned Parenthood, but the woman kept looking back toward the sidewalk. Even after entering the building and approaching the registration desk, the young mother kept peering out the window at a prayer warrior who simply held a sign that said “Life for Baby.”

The glances back to the sidewalk continued as an animated conversation began between the double doors of Planned Parenthood. By the grace of God, the woman never passed through that second set of doors, and the conversation ended with the mother exiting the building with a big (and relieved looking!) smile. Praise God!

We may not record a saved baby every day. But in giving up a short amount of time once a month you WILL save babies. Together we’ll save more than we ever know because it’s impossible to count the number of women scheduled for abortions who see us on the sidewalk—a sign of hope and an answer to their prayers—and keep on driving. So please, commit to signing up for a monthly or one-time two hour slot on the sidewalks. As always, you can call 608-445-2063 with questions or for additional information.

Baby Shower date and location confirmed! Please RSVP.

We are overjoyed to invite all of you and your families to the baby shower for Sarah and Melord upon the recent birth (April 2, 2010) of their son Zion, who was spared from abortion by God's grace and the intercession of prayer warriors.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this joyful occasion:

What: Baby Shower for Sarah, Melord and Baby Zion
When: Sunday, May 23, 2010 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: St. Maria Goretti Parish Center, 5313 Flad Avenue Madison, WI 53711

Cake and beverages will be served. If you would like to, we also invite you to bring a snack or dessert to share.

Please RSVP by Sunday, May 16, 2010 so that we can prepare adequately. Please RSVP by contacting Steve Karlen at 608-445-2063 or steve@vigilforlife.org.

The family is registered at Target for baby items. Please consider making a sacrifice for this family by purchasing a gift or contributing toward a larger gift. If you would rather make a donation or have it on your heart to contribute toward a larger item, you can send a check to Vigil for Life (P.O. Box 45104, Madison, WI 53711 and write "Baby Shower in the memo line. Click here to visit the baby registry.

First Saturday Breakfast and Presentation

May 1st, we will hold our monthly First Saturday event and are happy to welcome David Stiennon, who will be promoting the Madison Fertility Awareness Project with his presentation, "Educating for Life: Preventing Abortions by Witnessing for NFP." David will address how pro-life, pro-family witness at the Farmer's Market and other events is necessary to provide a viable alternative to Planned Parenthood. This presentation will follow 8:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Redeemer. David will begin speaking at 9:00 a.m. We will also continue the First Saturday Fatima devotions per usual. Join us!

Prayers Partners Needed at Weekly Vigils

We need prayer partners at our weekly vigils so that at least two people are present. We would appreciate very much your commitment to pray each week or frequently. Please call Laura Karlen at 608-445-2064 to volunteer or ask questions. The schedule is as follows:

• Madison Surgery Center: Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. with Steve Karlen
• Planned Parenthood: Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. with Laura Karlen

We also need a prayer partner for a prayer warrior at Planned Parenthood Fridays at 7:00 a.m. We pray that God will provide us with prayer partners--thank you in advance!

God bless all of you in your endeavors. Let our work give glory to God!

BREAKING: Baby spared at Madison's Planned Parenthood born safely!‏

Late last summer, we received an urgent text message from Jen of the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe asking us to pray for Sarah and Melord--a couple she met at Madison's Planned Parenthood. Facing financial difficulties, they had come with the intention of aborting their child. Jen, along with Mark from Pro-Life Wisconsin's Dane County affiliate, counseled the couple and offered to help in whatever way they could.

Jen and Mark's kindness made the difference. At 12:05 this morning, Sarah gave birth to a seven pound baby boy named Zion! I just spoke with Melord who reported that both mom and baby are doing well.

But our work isn't done yet. Vigil for Life plans to throw a baby shower for Baby Zion and his parents later this spring. Stay tuned for the date, time, location and registry information, and please plan to help support this young family.

Congratulations to Jen and Mark, and big time thanks to all of you who pray and witness on the streets!