“So they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.’” (Mark 10: 49)
This verse comes from the story Jesus healing a blind man named Bartimaeus. The apostles tell Bartimaeus to have courage and go to Jesus, for Jesus is calling him. What an amazing thing for this man to hear! The One who has been called “Wonder Worker” and “Messiah” is now calling him personally to Himself. However, the apostles’ role in this story is one that cannot be overlooked. They were the ones sent to bring Bartimaeus to Jesus. Indeed, Jesus counted on the apostles to go bring this blind man to Him just like He relies on each one of us. That is one of the main reasons we need to pray at the abortion clinics. It does take courage to stand up in front of a clinic and pray, but Jesus is depending on us to be there for those who are “blind” to LIFE and say to them, “Jesus is calling you.” We pray that their eyes will be opened to God’s love and the gift of His blessings, no matter what the circumstances. But you don’t have to be at an abortion clinic to be like the apostles. Is there someone in your own family or circle of friends whom you have been avoiding talking to because you don’t know what to say or know they disagree with you? Maybe today you are being called to minister to that person who is blind to some aspect of their own life: a bad relationship, a hurtful habit, a lukewarm attitude towards God, misinformation about the upcoming election. “Take courage” and “stand up” for the truth. God will be with you. And in case you’re feeling like the “blind” one today, we hope you find an “apostle” in your life whom you can talk to about God! *The upcoming election may be difficult to discuss with friends, but we have an obligation to do so. Get the information you need by printing out the Family Research Council’s Voters Guide (http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf ). Share it with your friends! *If you are Catholic, you can also share the “Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics.” It does not discuss any candidates, but it explains the 5 “non-negotiables” of the faith: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage. It clearly states that voting for candidates who support any of these issues is a sin. Finally, here is a link to a 3 minute video that is very powerful and should be shared with every Catholic. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=D9vQt6IXXaM&hd UPDATE ON A RECENT BIRTH I was blessed to meet Veronica’s little miracle, baby Eliana, last week (see attached picture!). The whole family is doing wonderful! Yet, Veronica told me that she sometimes feels guilty because of what she almost did. I assured her that God loves her for what she DID do – give her daughter LIFE! Still, this had an effect on me: If someone who did not have an abortion can still feel so guilty about the attempt, how much worse is the suffering of the post-abortive woman? Please reach out to those who have had abortions and share God’s love. Here is a phone number and website for help: 1-888-456-HOPE, www.AbortionRecovery.org News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, October 18, we estimate FOUR infants were killed inside a place called a “medical center.” ** One couple in their 30’s told me that they already have two children and don’t want a third. I told them about the Women’s Center and the financial assistance, but he said they have enough money. “It’s just too much work” to have another the man told me. Personal choice is the reason that 98% of women give for aborting. ** One woman chose LIFE! Felicia and her friend came out of the clinic just after the doctor arrived. They both got in the car, but then the friend got out telling me that Felicia was keeping her baby. I asked if we could help, and the friend said that Felicia was “good, very good!” I gave them information about the Women’s Center and a pair of pink hand-knit booties (Still could use some blue ones!) and they drove off smiling. Praise to God for this save brought by prayer. ** On Thursday, October 25, we estimate that FIVE women allowed a “doctor” to murder the child in their womb. ** Again, we believe there was a save! I saw the big white Cadillac SUV pull in and got to the car in time to hand the young girl (about 15) in the passenger seat a brochure. She took it, but then her mother pulled it out of her hand and hustled the girl inside. I could see the confusion in her eyes. A little while later a different woman, Gail, who was not there for an abortion came out of Forest View for a cigarette. I began talking to her, and she told me that she too is pro-life. I asked Gail to go back into the clinic and give a Rosary to the young girl. Gail went back in, Rosary-in-hand, and ten minutes later the young girl and her mother came out and left! Pray that they will never return to this place of death.
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Today’s reflection is taken from the “40 Days for Life” devotionals: http://www.40daysforlife.com/getinvolved.cfm “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13) Reflection from Carmen Pate: I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue of life is perceived more often in churches today as political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and if we are to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the issue of abortion, we must daily "put on" the armor God has given us:
*The upcoming election may be difficult to discuss with friends, but we MUST put on the armor of God and do so. Get the information you need by printing out the Family Research Council’s Voters Guide (http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf ). Share it with your friends! If you are Catholic you can also share the “Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics.” (click for link) It does not discuss any candidates, but it explains the 5 “non-negotiables” of our faith: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage. And clearly states that voting for candidates who support any of these is a grave offense. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, October 4, we estimate THREE innocent lives were lost. ** One handsome young man, Frank, brought in his fiancé to kill their unborn child. He said it was “bad timing.” How sad that this new couple is going to begin their married life by murdering their first child. Frank was also ignorant of fetal development and told me that the baby was “nothing” since she only missed her period one week ago. I gave him a fetal development brochure and he was amazed to see that at this point his 3 week-old baby already had a heartbeat and developing eyes and ears. He promised he would try to talk to his fiancé, but they did not come out until after the abortion. Please pray for this young couple. ** Keep praying for the male nurse at Forest View. He has been very friendly lately and we are so hopeful that God will bring him to a new life-affirming job. ** On Thursday, October 11, we estimate that FIVE women made a “choice” that they will never forget. ** This is the third week in a row where the number of abortions has been 5 or lower. We do not know why, but we praise God for the reduction in numbers! ** Many people driving by have been honking and waving in support of the unborn. It is such an encouragement to those of us out there praying, but we also know that our presence is encouraging to those driving by. Too often we pro-lifers can feel that the world is “against us,” but hearing those honks and seeing those friendly waves reassures everyone that we are a vast community of pro-life brothers and sisters! “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3
The world and our NorhtWest Families for Life family has been blessed with another gift! Kim and Josh welcomed Khylie Nichole into their family on September 18. She is an absolutely perfect little girl at 7 lbs, 6 oz, 20 inches long. Kim is also doing well. We met Kim and Josh at Forest View on a cold day in February. They were struggling with their decision and did not know where to turn. I approached them with an offer of help and they gladly came with me to the Women’s Center. As they left, I gave them a pair of hand-knit pink baby booties predicting the baby would be a girl and now we all know that those booties were right! Speaking of booties, we are completely out of blue baby booties. Would you be willing to spend some time this month to knit some blue booties? Maybe your Bible study could knit while you talk. Or maybe you know someone in a nursing home who needs to be needed. A sweet pair of baby booties not only makes a woman feel cared for and loved, but it also shows the humanity of the life inside her. Yes, children are a gift, a reward, not a disease or a “problem” to be “taken care of.” We need to pray that all others would realize this truth, especially during this election season when so much is at stake. At the end of this email there are two different election prayers. Please join in praying daily for our country before this election. In addition to prayer, get all the information you can and share it with others. There are several election guides. Family Research Council has one contrasting the presidential candidates at http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11L04.pdf . Illinois Family Institute has one that also contains information about local offices at http://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/general-election-resources/ . Priests for Life also has a Voter’s Guide: http://www.priestsforlife.org/candidates/index.htm . Ask your pastor if one of these could be passed out at your church. It is perfectly legal and would not harm their 501c status. You can check the Priests for Life website for more legal information. October is Respect Life Month across the country. There’s no better time to get involved! Contact us for a vigil schedule if you need one. Don’t forget that “40 Days for Life” has a 24 hour a day, seven day a week vigil site on Chicago’s north side and another location with a daily 6:00 am – 6:00 pm vigil in Downers Grove. See below for more details and many more ways to get step into LIFE this month. |
Our vigil update writer:
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