abortion industry to thank. No, I have not lost my mind just four days into the
campaign! Yes, I know at the national level, the media seems to
have an agenda that's radically in favor of abortion.
But I'm seeing 40 Days for Life campaigns getting great
coverage -- and a fair shake -- in local media outlets. This is typically because the abortion center staff
complains to the media -- and tell the reporters and
producers that they're under a "violent siege" or that
"extremist protesters are harassing patients." Of course, when the local media go to the vigil, they
find moms praying with small children. Or high school
students kneeling in prayer. Or businessmen praying on
their lunch hour. Or an elderly couple praying quietly. When this happens, the local media, pro-life or not,
sees the vigil volunteers as the underdogs -- and the
abortion center workers come off as intolerant. The staff's overreaction is the catalyst for 40 Days
for Life getting a fair treatment. I just did a local media interview for a 40 Days for
Life campaign, and this never fails. Here are a few
examples.
-----------------------------------------------------
FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA
----------------------------------------------------- The Fairfield Daily Republic reported on the local
40 Days for Life kickoff event -- and included a
picture of Catholic Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento
leading the crowd of about 150 in prayer. The opening vigil was held in front of a Planned
Parenthood facility. One volunteer told the reporter
that people would go there to pray "until they close
this place." While the article quoted talking points from the
Planned Parenthood web site, no one from the
organization would speak to the reporter on the record. In reference to the Planned Parenthood staff, another
volunteer said, "We are here to pray for them as well.
We’re not here to finger-point." For a link to the full story from the Fairfield Daily
Republic, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2270
-----------------------------------------------------
AMARILLO, TEXAS
----------------------------------------------------- KFDA-TV, the local CBS affiliate, covered the 40 Days
for Life kickoff in Amarillo -- and gave a very
accurate description of the typical vigil: "There was
no yelling, no protesting and no arguing, just a
peaceful gathering of those fighting to end abortion." Local coordinator Stephanie Frausto noted that
abortions are not performed at the facility where the
vigil is held, but it's often the first stop for
abortion-minded women. "So we are always here," she said. The reporter also noted, "While they prayed and sang
songs, several also shared their testimonies, because
they're not just pushing to end abortion, but to also
heal those who have had one." To see the video from KFDA-TV, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2270
-----------------------------------------------------
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA
----------------------------------------------------- Victoria's first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign got
the attention of the Goldstream News Gazette, which
interviewed vigil participants outside a local
abortion center. "We are praying for women and their unborn children,"
said volunteer Steve Weatherbe. "We are praying for
women to change their minds and to keep their babies." People praying are restricted by a 30-meter buffer
zone -- that's about 100 feet. But they did not let
that discourage them. The reporter quoted a member of a local pro-abortion
group, who said she was "appalled it is going on for
40 days." She predictably called the 40 Days for Life
event "harassment." "This is not a protest," countered Weatherbe. "It's
a prayer vigil." The only harassment anyone noted came in the form
of pro-abortion slogans that were spray-painted on
the sidewalk. Police are investigating the vandalism. For a link to the full story from the Goldstream News
Gazette, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2270
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,
national director of Priests for Life...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 4 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- We ask God that we may understand the concept of
justice, as a gift he gives and as a responsibility
that shapes our work.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
----------------------------------------------------- Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like
a never-failing stream! -- Amos 5:24
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
----------------------------------------------------- Justice, a key theme of the Scriptures, is something
God does and that we too must do. When God intervenes to save his people when they are
helpless and in slavery in Egypt, he "does justice."
He manifested his justice in the plagues that were
sent upon Egypt, whereby Pharaoh was convinced that
he must let the people go. Justice is manifested as,
in awe and wonder, God's people see the Red Sea open
before them, allow them to pass without even getting
their feet wet, and then close again to drown their
powerful enemies. God is a God of Justice; he rescues us when we cannot
save ourselves. His justice, above all, is seen in
Jesus Christ, who, when we could not save ourselves,
rescued us from the kingdom of sin, Satan, death, and
hell. The mighty work of Christ on the cross and in
the resurrection is the perfect manifestation of God
as the God of justice. We, then, are to be the people of justice; we are to
"do justice" by intervening to save the helpless in
the name and by the power of the God who saves us who
are helpless ourselves. That's why we have a pro-life
movement; that's why we have a 40 Days for Life
Campaign; that's why saving the unborn is our
business.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- God of Justice, you heard the cry of your people when
they were being oppressed in Egypt, and you proved
yourself to be the God of justice, who rescues the
helpless. You likewise rescued us from the kingdom of
darkness, and brought us into the Kingdom of your
Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who saves us from the
power of Satan, sin, death, and hell. Make us people of justice, ready to intervene to save
the helpless. Indeed, as your prophets have
announced, let justice roll on like a mighty river,
to save all who are in need, especially the unborn.
We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
----------------------------------------------------- To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day04print.pdf
----------------------------------------------------- For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: How is 40 Days for Life touching lives in your
community? Please leave a comment on today's
blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2270 40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
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