Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27: 3-5)
How many wounded post-abortive women are there in this world who, like Judas, deeply regret what they have done? Some statistics say as many as 94% of post-abortive women regret their decision. How many former abortionists and clinic workers want to “throw back” the blood money they earned by “betraying innocent blood”? Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson has helped more than 40 abortion workers leave the industry since June 2012 through her organization “And Then There Were None” (www.attwn.org). How many fathers? How many people who “just drove” a friend? We must not allow them to suffer the same hopeless fate as Judas. As we near the time of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, let us pray that all those who experience or participate in abortion will enjoy a “Resurrection” of their own. And pray that God will use YOU personally to help in some way. Let us not be like the chief priests saying, “See to that yourself!” Put phone numbers and websites for Project Rachel in your bulletin. Reach out to a post-abortive friend with compassion. Donate to organizations like ATTWN, Silent No More, or Rachel’s Vineyard. And, pray daily, specifically for Dr. Goyal, the abortionist who owns and operates 6 abortion clinics in Chicago and its suburbs. We greet him every Thursday at Forest View with, “Good morning! We are praying for you.” Pray that the Holy Spirit will profoundly touch his heart. Join us for a special Forest View vigil on Good Friday, March 29. Come stand “at the foot of the cross” to pray for all victims of abortion. WHEN: Friday, March 29, 10:00 am – 11:00 am WHERE: Forest View Medical, 2750 S. River Rd., Des Plaines Prayer will be led by Deacon Larry Schumacher. The Pro-Life Action League has produced a beautiful, ecumenical “Way of the Cross” booklet for use at abortion clinics. If you would like to download a copy and host your own, go to http://plal.org/hotline/2013/goodfriday-2/#tools . Also, please let us know so we can publicize it for you. Since many of us have that day off, it is important to remember why we have time off that day. It is time to recognize the tremendous suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Eric Scheidler writes, “It is fitting that we solemnize Jesus’ suffering and death in connection with the pro-life ministry He has entrusted to us.” VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Please see the vigil schedule tabs for days of the week and times when faithful people will be praying outside seven of the too many Chicago-land abortion facilities. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, February 28, we estimate that SEVEN women condemned the children in their wombs to death at Forest View Medical Center in Des Plaines. ** A young man named Tim brought his girlfriend Gabrielle to abort their child. They were convinced that the child would be deformed because Gabrielle had gone tanning. Of course, this is very untrue, but types of ignorance like this are sadly quite common. This couple did not even bother to get a doctor’s opinion. Despite this ignorance and their tragic mindset that only a “perfect” child is wanted, we were able to forge a positive relationship which we hope will bear fruit someday. If you meet a couple with a real negative prenatal diagnosis, you can let them know about resources suchas www.isaiahspromise.net . No child is unwanted!** We believe there was a SAVE! A young couple left without getting an abortion. They did not stop to talk but the woman looked happy. ** On Thursday, March 7, we estimate that FIVE precious innocents lost their lives. ** One man, Sam, who dropped off his wife to kill their child, informed me that it was “not the right time.” He and his wife Toni have one child already and can’t afford another. The idea of adoption was rejected immediately. Despite his unwillingness to change, he listened to all I had to say and took a Project Rachel brochure. Again, we pray that a seed was planted to bring about recognition and healing for this family. ** When we sidewalk counselors have such personal interactions with couples and yet they still go through with the abortion, it can sometimes leave us feeling like we should have done more. Will you please pray for Terry, Laura, Monica, and myself that we will not lose heart, but instead submit ourselves to God’s will for us and for the couples we encounter? ** A special thank you to one of our devoted Prayer Warriors, Kathy, who taught herself to knit using the pattern from last update (and attached again) and created a pair of beautiful BLUE baby booties for us to give away at the clinic. If she can do it, so can you!
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