Hours This Week and Special Announcements!

We're now half-way through the 40 Days for Life vigil and, thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and your sacrifice, we've been able to keep hours filled.  BUT we still have a long way to go!  Don't sit back and let things slide NOW; we need you!  Looking at the week ahead, there are many openings from which to choose prayer time that fits best in your schedule - please go to vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview and lock in your hours!  You can also contact info@vigilforlife.org to sign up.

Open Hours This Week:
Tuesday, 10/16/12:  90% filled - 5 hours to choose from
Wednesday, 10/17/12:  83% filled - 8 hours open
Thursday, 10/18/12:  Only 69% filled!  15 hours to fill!  Yikes!
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:  Only 44 to 48% filled!  Please help!

You have responded so well to our calls for help; please save us some phone calls and take action!  May the Daily Devotional for Day 20 from the 40 Days for Life leadership inspire and awaken us to the need for persistent prayer as we stand for life on the sidewalk.

Intention:
May God’s justice sober our society; may mercy triumph over judgment.

Scripture:
Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.
—Genesis 9:5-6

Reflection:

The value of every human being can hardly be seen more clearly than with this verse. God, the King of the universe, has created all human beings in his image, and declares forthrightly that shedding the blood of any individual will require the blood of the one who shed it.
God's concern for human beings is not limited to any particular group. Indeed, his concern is universal, and includes male and female, young and old, born and unborn, disabled and able-bodied, the citizens of every nation on earth. 

Abortion, the deliberate killing of the unborn, is the shedding of innocent blood. Surely the blood of millions upon millions of innocent children cries out to God. It is true that we live in an age of grace, and yet this passage (among many other texts which express similar sentiments) should give every thinking Christian pause. 

Christians of all people, entrusted with the Word of God as we are, must take a stand. We must speak out. We must do all that we can to protect the innocent, to pursue justice, and to encourage the repentance of all those who bear responsibility for this great evil. 

Only in this manner can we hope to forestall the judgment that must otherwise surely come.
This passage should also be seen as an encouragement to educate and disciple our children and grandchildren about what it means to be human, and the responsibility that will become theirs in this ongoing struggle.

Prayer:
O Father, forgive us for our lack of courage and our want of compassion for the unborn and for those lost and hurt by abortion. Fill us anew with your Spirit.  Renew our minds, strengthen us in righteousness, help us be people of salt and light within our nation.  May every human being, from conception to natural death, be treated with the respect due those made in your image. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Mark Your Calendars for Two Upcoming Events!

1. Rallies to assert our Religious Freedoms are being held all across America.  Come to the last Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally before the November election! 

When:  Saturday - October 20 - Noon to 1:00PM
Where:  Wisconsin State Capitol - State Street Steps
Join us in Prayer and Public Witness to Fight for Religious Freedom!  Bring a friend and spread the word!

Featured Speakers: Bishop Robert Morlino & Fr. John Sasse on "Perseverance in the Faith"
Make plans to arrive early!  UW Badger Football Home Game and Farmers Market on the Square that day also.  For more information visit: www.standupforreligiousfreedom.com.

2.  Monday, October 22 - Join Fr. Rick Heilman, the Knights of Divine Mercy, and St. Mary's Pine Bluff parishioners in a Prayer Vigil on the sidewalks of Planned Parenthood, 3706 Orin Rd!  We will assemble at 6:00pm and pray the Stations of the Cross at 6:30pm. You don't want to miss walking the Way of the Cross in front of the place that needs our prayer so much!  (Remember to park on the street only - not in the Women's Care Center parking lot.)

Courtesy Announcements:

• Sidewalk Counselor Training:  This Wednesday evening, Oct. 17, from 7:15 - 8:15pm at St. Paul's University Catholic Center, 723 State St. in Madison.  Come and get equipped to sidewalk counsel for 40 Days for Life and beyond! 
• An Evening with Fr. Rocky:  The Knights of Divine Mercy invites everyone to a special evening of prayer and spiritual presentation on Friday, Nov. 2nd, at the Bishop O'Connor Center, 702 S. High Point Rd. in Madison.  The evening begins with Mass, followed by Expostition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession.  At 7:00pm Fr. Francis Hoffman, AKA Fr. Rocky, Executive Director of Relevant Radio presents: "Our Holy alliance: Praying with the Holy Souls and Saints."  A reception will follow; a $10.00 donation is suggested.  The evening is open to the public.  For more information contact Tim Virnig at info@knightsofdivinemercy.com or call 608-821-3160.
• Rosary Rally: This Thursday 7:00pm State St. steps of the Capitol through Nov. 1, 2012.  Come pray for Life, Family, and the Salvation of the World! 
  
• Rachel's Vineyard:  Rachel's Vineyard - Healing the pain of abortion, one weekend at a time.  Rachel's Vineyard welcomes women, men, couples and grandparents who have suffered the loss of a child/children.  If you or someone you love is hurting after abortion, contact Mary at 608-221-9593 or meadmt@sbcglobal.net.  The next retreat will be held October 19 - 21, 2012 at a beautiful and private location.  Go to www.madisondiocese.org/rachel for more information.  For retreats held in WI, the USA or around the world, go to www.rachelsvineyard.org or 1-877-HOPE-4-ME.  All contact is confidential.
• Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Redeemer:  Our Lord implores us to keep watch for one hour.  Please don't give up your Holy Hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as you begin 40 Days for Life.  Offer to Him your sufferings.  Thank Him for your blessings - Speak to Him!  For more information go to www.adorationchapel.com/info@adorationchapel.com