Finish Strong--Help Needed! Closing Event This Sunday!

As we prepare this e-mail, there are still many hours to fill for this fall’s 40 Days for Life campaign!

• Saturday, 11/3/12:  Only 77% filled - 11 hours open!
• Sunday, 11/4/12:  THE LAST DAY!  Only 89% filled - 4 hours open!

Please help us finish strong with all hours filled!  I have received calls this week from prayer warriors who haven't had a chance to come out to the sidewalk during this campaign and asked if they could still sign up.  If you are one of these, now is your chance!  If you feel you can do more, now is the time!  
Just this week a prayer warrrior reported a man leaving Planned Parenthood after being told of Our Lady of Hope Clinic for health care and of a car stopping to repeatedly thank them for being there.  

Another prayer warrior sent the following story:  "While praying at PP a young man came up to me and asked if anyone could pray.  I said of course.  He asked what we were doing and I told him we were praying to change our world from a culture of death to a culture of life.  I told him people in trauma come thinking they'll be taking care of the problem but just don't know the consequence of abortion and that we just wanted to inform them of options.  He nodded in agreement.  After just a few words, it came out that he had visited such a place a few years ago and was the father of a aborted child.  He said he had gotten some counseling and was ok and since he had just married in August, was hoping he'd have another try at having a child and do a better job next time.  I told him he'd make a good father just by him coming to show support for our work.  He said he was going to go to Milw when he heard this  vigil was going on here in Madison.  He said today was the day he decided not to stay on the couch, but instead come out and pray.  We started talking about making mistakes and God's forgiveness.....  We talked for about 15 minutes on other faith related topics and ended our time together with an embrace.  He asked how long we'd be doing this I said it's an ongoing thing and told him our schedule.  I hope I see him again....he'll be in my prayers."

 

This is exactly why we're out there; it's clear that this father regrets the abortion of his child and has joined the culture of life.  These prayer warriors went home on top of the world, knowing their presence made a difference.
Let's fill these final hours!  Visit vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview or contact info@vigilforlife.org.

 

Closing Event - Sunday, November 4, 2012 - See you This Sunday!

• Arrive at 4:30pm - Planned Parenthood, 3706 Orin Rd. 
• 4:45pm - Be in place on the public sidewalk on the northeast corner behind Planned Parenthood building for messages.
• 5:00pm - Fr. John Sasse will lead us in the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.  A Rosary procession will stop at 15 Rosary images, which will include a timeline of the Planned Parenthood history.  (If you are unable to join us outside, you can pray the Rosary inside St. Patrick's Church in Cottage Grove from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.  Directions are below.)
  
• About 6:30pm -  The Angelus and a Blessing will conclude the Closing of 40 Days.
• All are invited to a reception at Fr. Sasse's parish: St. Patrick Parish, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, WI 53527.  Vigil for Life will provide cake and beverages.  Directions:  From Planned Parenthood, go south on Hwy. 51 (Stoughton Rd.) to Cottage Grove Rd. exit.  Go east under the Stoughton Rd. overpass to Cottage Grove.  Turn right on Main St.; St. Patrick's is on the left.
  
•  Parking:  FOR THIS EVENT ONLY we have been given permission by the Women's Care Center to use their parking lot or you can park on the street.

"365 for Life” to Resume: Can you make a monthly commitment?
Beginning Monday, November 5, we go back to our "365 for Life" schedule.  Can you help? Can you make a monthly commitment to pray on the sidewalk for an hour or two?
How can you sign up for “365 for Life”? There are 3 ways:

1. Hit “reply” to this e-mail with the time, day of the week, and week of the month (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th) you are available.
2. Visit vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview for hours that are currently scheduled for the “365 for Life” initiative. To add new hours, which is encouraged, see step 3.
   
3. Contact Bette Weisshaar at 608-358-5963 or info@vigilforlife.org.

 Respect Life Retreat

On Friday November 30 through Saturday afternoon December 1st, the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Vigil for Life will be hosting the Fifth Annual Respect Life Retreat.  This special pre-Advent retreat will be held once again in the beautiful retreat center of Durward’s Glen near Baraboo, WI.
(See: http://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/information-center/other-natural-areas/durwards-glen/)

Our Retreat Master will be Fr. John Sasse a wonderful Catholic priest from the Diocese of Madison.  This event will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Liturgy of the Hours, silent prayer and time for personal reflection.  Those who are involved in work to build a culture of life are invited to attend, but the retreat is open to everyone.
Spaces for the Respect Life Retreat are limited, so please call now to reserve your room.  The cost per person is $55 and checks may be made payable to “The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe”  (Financial assistance may be made available for those in need).  Please call Jen Dunnett at 715-340-2779 or email her at vitapretiosa@gmail.com to reserve your place.
Take time apart from your efforts to defend life in order to be strengthened by Jesus Christ, Who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)
 
Praise God for what He has done through you to complete our 24/7 vigil on the sidewalk!