Replies

It was just last month that I heard the annual
grumbling about the way the national media ignored
the March for Life — when “only” about half a million
pro-life people gathered in Washington, DC.

But when you compare national and local media, it’s
like night and day. And this means MANY people are
hearing about 40 Days for Life for the first time.

The secular media usually expects a 40 Days for Life
vigil to be filled with angry Christians. When the
local reporters arrive, however, they see the real
story — which is quite different from the
stereotype. This often results in excellent — and
fair — media coverage.

Here are just a few examples:

ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA

The 40 Days for Life campaign was covered in the
St. Cloud Times this week. “This is a first for us
and a major breakthrough in people finding out
about 40 Days For Life,” said Judy in St. Cloud.

“Our focus is prayer,” Jan, a prayer volunteer, told
the reporter. “This is one way to witness to the
public how we feel about building a culture of life.
I believe very strongly in life, and I believe
abortion should be ended,” she said.

She invited people to join the vigil — but to come
prepared, since there was snow in the forecast with
temperatures promising to dip well below freezing.

For a link to the St. Cloud Times report — including
a video featuring Jan — please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3940

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Birmingham’s Fox affiliate, WBRC-TV, interviewed Ed
Carrick, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator.

The reporter noted that “this is going to be a
peaceful movement with no yelling or screaming. They
simply want to offer alternatives to abortions.”

Ed talked about his experiences when he first began
praying outside the local abortion center.

“I watched as the women come out; they were pretty
much devastated,” he said. “Some were in pain. They
were definitely at a loss for why they were there
and what’s happening to them.

“And I guess to see the pain and suffering in their
face, I said I would really like to do something
about this, so I kept coming.”

Ed added that churches in the Birmingham community
have raised money to fund pro-life pregnancy centers
so clients can be supported financially, spiritually,
emotionally and medically.

For a link to the WBRC-TV report, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3940

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND

The Brighton campaign received coverage in a local
newspaper, The Argus.

Caroline Hubert, the Brighton campaign coordinator,
told the reporter that society is in the midst of an
abortion crisis.

The paper interviewed an abortion center spokesman
who complained that vigil participants “intimidated”
clients. The photo accompanying the article shows a
young woman, smiling and holding 40 Days for Life
pamphlets.

“There is no intimidation,” Caroline said. “It’s
peaceful — and any person who is taking part has
to sign a statement of peace. We’re there to pray,
we’re not there for anything else.”

She noted that there were 4,000 abortions in the
Brighton and Hove area each year. That equals more
than two classrooms of schoolchildren ... aborted
every WEEK.

For a link to the coverage of the Brighton campaign
in The Argus, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3940

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention:

That those tempted to abort may understand

that their child is already present,

and already a real person.

Scripture:

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard

the greeting of Mary that the babe

leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was

filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she

spoke out with a loud voice and said,

“Blessed are you among women, and

blessed is the fruit of your womb! But

why is this granted to me, that the

mother of my Lord should come to me?

For indeed, as soon as the voice of your

greeting sounded in my ears, the babe

leaped in my womb for joy.

—Luke 1:41-44

Reflection:

Jesus not only loves unborn children —

He was one himself!

Think about this for a moment.

We often hear people speak of a pregnant

mother by saying, “She’s expecting

a child.”

Now if one is expecting a package, the

package is not yet there.

As reflected in our verse for today,

however, this is not the case with the

mother.

Her gift is already there. The pregnant

woman, a mother already, does not

have a child “on the way,” but has a

child, already present and in full possession

of his or her human rights,

starting with the right to life.

Prayer:

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence

in the life of every child. Open my heart

to joy in the birth of every child, a birth

that reflects the joy of your own birth

in Bethlehem.

As you shared life in the womb of Mary,

so now send your protection upon every

child still in the womb, and grant to

their mothers the strength and joy that

comes from welcoming the gift of life.

We pray through Christ our Lord.

Amen.