Successful 40 Days Vigil...Now on to 365 for Life!

In This Issue:

• 40 Days for Life Successful Results - Thanks to All of You!
• Closing Prayer Vigil and Celebration - Link to Photos
• 365 for Life Hours This Week - Help!
• Respect Life Retreat
• Pro-Life Wisconsin March for Life Trip - 2014

Dear Friends,

God is great!  He provided the graces for us to persevere through the trials - harassment, fatigue, chilly, wet weather, etc. - and carry out the work we are obliged to do.  It wasn't easy and, most of the time, if we're honest, we didn't want to do it.  But we can officially enter another successful 40 Days for Life campaign into the books.

Even with obstacles (verbal provocation, eggs and an empty water bottle thrown at prayer volunteers), nothing was going to stop this long distance race.  You persisted and overcame the bumps in the road. In fact, these heckling incidents are a testimony that we are getting under the devil's skin; we are having an effect and he knows it!

"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you."

Congratulations!

As a result of our efforts to involve more groups, parishes, and men, we were able to fill many hours prior to the campaign, lightening the load when the vigil actually started.  Some days were 85 - 90% filled prior to our start date.  The following groups and parishes helped make this happen and we thank you!

• 18 parishes signed up for weekly 2-hour time slots, not only from the Madison area but from outlying communities as well
• Groups within parishes also took weekly 2-hour slots - Cenacle Group from IHM, Daughters of Isabella from St. Joseph's in Baraboo, St. Paul's Student FOCUS Group from UW campus, St. Ambrose Academy - Guardians for Life
• Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who are out at Planned Parenthood every Friday all year round
• Knights of Divine Mercy, 5 Knights of Columbus Councils from Madison area and outlying areas

And of course, ALL OF YOU!  Thanks to all of you prayer warriors who sacrificed to make sure these hours in prayer were covered.  We hope you will continue signing up for hours throughout the year keeping in mind that abortions go on after 40 Days for Life ends.

Without the following people, the vigil doesn't happen; we appreciate your dedication!

• The parish liaisons who worked hard to fill their parish time slot commitment
• The vigil captains calling to fill hours
• The vigil coordinator - Mary Markielewski
• The vigil liaison coordinator - Judy Hoffman
• The events team who planned the Kick-Off, Mid-Point, and Closing Rallies
• The communications team - Rebecca McDermott and Meg Matenaer

As a result of ALL of your prayer and witness, we had 2 babies saved and 3 turnaways from Planned Parenthood......THAT WE KNOW OF!  Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!

Closing Event

Last Tuesday we held our closing prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood.  It was a rainy, windy evening but around 40 braved the weather and joined Father Zuhlsdorf (Fr. Z, as he is known) in a Rosary.  Father gave a beautiful homily and reflection, urging us onward in this marathon as we start our 365 for Life prayer vigil.  We thank Fr. Z for leading us in prayer despite not feeling well.  Afterward we headed over to St. Peter's for refreshments and social time with our vigil family.  Closing Event pictures will be posted on the website shortly; just click on this link to see them:  vigilforlife.org

365 for Life Open Hours This Week! - HELP!

Monday, 11/11/13:  100% filled!

Tuesday, 11/12/13:  2 needed at 1:00, 3:00, and4:00pm; 1 needed at 10:00 and 11:00am  ONLY 50% FILLED!

Wednesday, 11/13/13:  2 needed at noon, 1:00,3:00, 4:00, and 5:00pm; 1 needed at 8:00am and 2:00pm  ONLY 40% FILLED!!

Thursday and Friday:  100% filled!  Praise God!

Only 2 days this week with open hours!  Can you find the time to help the helpless?  Go to www.vigilforlife.org/calendar/monthview to sign up for hours. You can also email info@vigilforlife.org.

"Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need." (Psalm 112)

Respect Life Retreat

On Friday, November 29 through Saturday afternoonNovember 30th, the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Vigil for Life will be hosting the Sixth 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.durwardsglen.org/ for more information about Durwards Glen and like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Durwards-Glen-Retreat/273634562654204?fref=ts

Our Retreat Master will be Fr. Eric Nielsen 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 $65 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 email Jen Dunnett at vitapretiosa@gmail.com to reserve your place.

Note: If you are unable to attend and would like to donate so that someone else can, please contact Jen or Bette.

Pro-Life Wisconsin March for Life Pilgrimage to DC 2014

Please join Pro-Life Wisconsin from January 19th - 23rdas we travel by motor coach to Washington DC for the annual March for Life. This is a perfect pro-life opportunity for families and adult individuals to join over 500,000 others from across the US and beyond as we call for the recognition in law of the personhood of all preborn babies at all stages of existence, without exception.

For more details and to request a registration form, call 262-796-1111 or visit www.ProLifeWisconsin.org.Space is limited and full payment is required to hold a spot.