"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
In the last update we heard from a letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. This passage is from another one of Paul’s letters to an early Christian community, but this time instead of praising all they have done, Paul is trying to settle disputes in the troubled Christian community in Galatia. Members were disagreeing about whether or not they should still be following all of the old Jewish laws. Paul is trying to explain that Christ brought about freedom from the old ways when the Jewish people were in slavery. We too live in times where obeying laws is causing confusion and dissent. Laws created by man are attempting to coerce people into denying their religious beliefs. Specifically, there are many current threats to our religious liberty in areas directly affecting us as pro-lifers. To read about some of these threats: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/current-threats-to-religious-liberty.cfm. Hobby Lobby is awaiting a decision in the next week from the Supreme Court about whether or not they will be forced to provide abortion-inducing drug insurance coverage to their employees which violates their religious beliefs. As we near the celebration of America’s independence, it is a fitting time to remember that God is the author of our freedom and He demands that we “keep standing firm” against those who try to take that freedom away. In response to this demand, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for a 3rd Fortnight for Freedom, June 21 – July 4, a two week time of prayer, fasting, and action for religious liberty. Even if you are not a Catholic, you are invited to join in unity for these two weeks, beginning this Saturday, and spend some extra time in prayer for our country, founded as one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice FOR ALL. To read more and find prayer resources for the Fortnight: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/index.cfm VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Here are the vigil times for the remaining FOUR suburban abortion mills owned and operated by abortionist Vinod Goyal (also owns one in Chicago). Please let us know if there are any corrections: Downers Grove (Access Health, 1700 75th St.) - Mondays, 7:00 am – 8:30 am - Thursdays and Fridays, 7:00- 8:00 am - Saturdays, 5:30 am – 11:00 am Hinsdale (ACU, 736 N. York Rd.) - Tuesdays, 7:15 am – 8:30 am Glen Ellyn (Aanchor Medical, 186 Roosevelt Rd.) - Wednesdays, 8:00 am – 10:00 am - Saturdays, 8:00 am – 10:00 am Wood Dale (Advantage, 203 E. Irving Park Rd.) - Every 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 am – 8:30 am (Contact Frank: [email protected] ) - Thursdays, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm with NorthWest Families for Life * Important: God is blessing our efforts, and so Illinois Choice Action Team (ICAT) has been sending escorts to Wood Dale to try to stop counselors from offering women a real choice. If you encounter these escorts, please be kind and courteous, but do not engage. Stay in prayer. - Fridays, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm (Contact Sandy: [email protected] ) - Saturdays, contact Claudia: [email protected] News from the last three Thursday vigils at Advantage in Wood Dale: ** On Thursday, May 29, we estimate that FOUR children’s beating hearts were stopped. ** A couple in their early 20’s, Jose and Carla, were at the clinic to get the “Plan B” drug. They have a 1 year old at home and were worried that they might be pregnant again so soon. They listened as Laura explained that “Plan B” can kill a baby by preventing the fertilized egg from implanting. Laura also told them about CareNet, the nearby pregnancy resource center. Carla was very interested. You can read more about Plan B here: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/worlds-top-authority-on-morning-after-pill-says-women-must-be-told-it-may-c It is currently in debate, however, the key to consider is that its use is on the rise, because Plan B doesn’t get at the heart of the real problem - our culture’s casual view of the sacredness of sexual intimacy. ** On Thursday, June 5, we estimate that SEVEN women chose to end the fragile life that had been entrusted to their care. ** We met a man named Nate who was “just the driver” for a young woman in her 20’s. He has a child whom he is very proud of, but couldn’t make the connection that he is helping someone else kill their child. Laura even gave him the scenario that if he saw someone beating a child, he would stop it and Nate agreed. However, he said he “didn’t want to think about it” when Laura described what happens to a baby during an abortion. Please pray for Nate’s mind to be opened and the woman he brought to find healing. ** On Thursday, June 12, we estimate that FOUR babies’ lives were ended before they had barely begun. ** One couple in their late 20’s came out after the abortion and the woman looked devastated. When I approached her with a rose and a Project Rachel brochure, the man became extremely angry and yelled at me. The woman, though, was looking at me with such desperate eyes that I continued to hold out the information for her. This made the man even angrier and he threw a pop can at me. Don’t worry, I ducked, but sadly, the woman was not able to break free from his anger to reach out for the hope I was offering. One of our prayer warriors commented that this is a horrible form of abuse that men too often impose on women. Please pray that men will accept the role of protector of the family and women will find strength through God to resist this type of pressure. ** A beautiful young woman named Yulesis came to Advantage for an ultra-sound of her 8 week old baby. She came alone and told me that her husband had lost his job; she doesn’t work, so they don’t have any insurance. This is why her doctor at Alexian Brothers sent her to Advantage, because they offer reduced rate ultrasounds. We were shocked to hear that a doctor at a Catholic Hospital is referring patients to an abortion clinic. One of our group contacted Alexian. Yulesis began tearing up when I told her Advantage is an abortion clinic, but regained her smile when I offered her a pair of blue booties… I have a feeling it’s a boy and she told me that is what her husband, an engineer, is hoping for! Please pray for her husband to find work soon and for Yulesis to seek care from a doctor who respects life. She left with a hug and information for CareNet. Pray for These Wood Dale Employees - Nancy: Office manager and post-abortive woman - Dr. Goyal: owner and operator of Wood Dale and 3 other suburban and 1 Chicago abortion mill - *Marisela: Listed as “Medical Records,” She has been sarcastic to us in the past, often sent out to bring unsure women back in. - Eugene: Orderly/POC. We believe POC stands for “Product of Conception,” which is how abortion clinics refer to babies. This job may require him to reassemble the aborted babies’ precious bodies to make sure no parts were left inside the mother. - *Jocelyn: works behind the front desk. Started on May 22. - *Jessica: Newer employee, took over as cashier when Carmen quit. * Starred have a copy of the Abby Johnson letter. You can print a copy of the letter here:www.attwn.org/wp-content/themes/attwn-child/images/attwn-onepage-lightbackground.pdf.
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So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17
Saul mercilessly persecuted the early Christians. He believed that he was justified in doing so. The Jewish Christians were acknowledging a man as the Messiah who had endured one of the most shameful type of deaths. It simply couldn’t be true, he thought. Saul believed this was heresy, based on all he had long been taught to believe, and that he needed to “right” this wrongful belief, sometimes by killing. However, God had great plans for Saul. He knocked him off his horse and blinded him. Then God sent Ananias who bravely went to Saul to help him regain his sight and send Saul, now Paul, on a path of spreading the Good News. There is a strong parallel between Saul and those who work at the abortion clinics. Many employees believe that what they are doing is right and indeed “helpful” to women. They have been told for a long time that this is a woman’s right. Many of the women who work in the clinics are post-abortive themselves and seek to justify their own “right” by helping others make the same choice they did. They are blind to the truth that abortion harms not only tiny innocent human children, but also the women and men involved in the abortion. They are blind to God’s plan for Life. They are also often blind to those of us who stand outside the clinic offering love and acceptance, never judgment. That is why we stand at the clinics. God sends us, like He sent Ananias, so that they may regain their sight and “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Just like Saul, it is our prayer that these workers will become the strongest voices for LIFE! Please pray for the employees and abortionists. See below for news of employees quitting! News about Forest View’s Closure We have gotten results back from a FOIA report and also spoken to one of the former Forest View employees and found out the following: 1. Forest View will NOT be reopening as an abortion clinic. 2. The building is still owned by abortionist Vinod Goyal who will be remodeling and opening a cosmetic center called Apollo. They will provide services like laser hair removal, acne treatment, chemical peels, etc. 3. Carmen, the cashier from Forest View, has quit! Praise God! 4. Samantha, the employee who was one of the first to speak with us when we began praying at Forest View 4 years ago this month, has quit! Praise God! 5. Jessica, a newer employee whom I spoke to a few weeks ago at Wood Dale, would like to leave her job too. She has an Abby Johnson letter. Please pray for her specifically. 6. We do not have a definitive reason for Forest View’s closure; however, if it had been a profitable abortion clinic, Goyal would most likely not be going through the expense and trouble of changing it. Of course, there is one other possibility; could Dr. Goyal be hearing the call of God? All we know for certain is that no one is beyond God’s reach, just ask Saul. Pray! VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK With the closure of Forest View, the days and times of abortions, and therefore vigils, at some of Dr. Goyal’s 4 suburban clinics are changing. Here are the vigil times. Please let us know if there are any corrections: Downers Grove (Access Health, 1700 75th St.) - Mondays, 7:00 am – 8:30 am - Thursdays and Fridays, 7:00- 8:00 am - Saturdays, 5:30 am – 11:00 am Hinsdale (ACU, 736 N. York Rd.) - Tuesdays, 7:15 am – 8:30 am Glen Ellyn (Aanchor Medical, 186 Roosevelt Rd.) - Wednesdays, 8:00 am – 10:00 am - Saturdays, 8:00 am – 10:00 am Wood Dale (Advantage, 203 E. Irving Park Rd.) - Thursdays, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm with NorthWest Families for Life * Important: God is blessing our efforts, and so Illinois Choice Action Team (ICAT) has been sending escorts to Wood Dale to try to stop counselors from offering women a real choice. If you encounter these escorts, please be kind and courteous, but do not engage. Stay in prayer. - Fridays, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm - Saturdays, TBD. We had interest in a Saturday Forest View vigil and will now be focusing on Wood Dale. If you already responded that you are interested in Saturday vigils, we will get back to you. If you are interested but have not yet responded, let us know! Thanks! News from the last threeThursday vigils: ** On Thursday, April 10, we estimate that EIGHT children were killed at Forest View Medical Center. ** This was just 2 days before Forest View officially closed its doors forever and God blessed us with one last save at Forest View! A young woman in her early 20’s, Leslie, came with her friend Josie for an RU486 abortion (read about this abortion-causing drug: http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/ru486/). One of the sidewalk counselors, Anna Marie, offered her a free ultrasound and stressed that she should take more time to think about this crucial decision. Leslie still went into Forest View. However, Anna Marie had asked for her cell number and began texting her while she was inside. Hours later a tearful Leslie came out and said she didn’t go through with it! Glory be to God! Last we heard, Anna Marie was going to accompany her to the Women’s Center for an ultrasound. ** On Thursday, April 24, our first vigil at Wood Dale, we estimate that FOUR women chose to end the life of their own child. ** This is the day that I found out Samantha is quitting. She was outside and happily told me, “Two weeks!” explaining that she had given her two-weeks notice. I told her that God loves her and we’d be praying for her to find the right job. She gave me a big smile! ** On Thursday, May 1, we estimate that FOUR babies died at the hands of “doctor.” ** A family, mom, dad, and two children, arrived around 10:00. This is late for an abortion as most are in by 7:30 am. When I approached the mother, Paola, she was very open to talking to me. It turns out that she had no intention of aborting but was there for an ultrasound. We know that some of Dr. Goyal’s clinics are listed on the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield website and we are wondering if that is how Paola came to Wood Dale. Despite my urging to find a safe place for her and her baby, Paola went into the clinic, but not without a pair of pink booties and information about the nearby crisis pregnancy center, Care Net (www.carenetdupage.com/). Keep this family in your prayers. Pray for These Wood Dale Employees - Nancy: Office manager and post-abortive woman - Dr. Goyal: owner and operator of Wood Dale and 3 other suburban and 1 Chicago abortion mill - *Marisela: Listed as “Medical Records,” She has been sarcastic to us in the past, often sent out to bring unsure women back in. - *Lisette: “Health Educator,” sister of Samantha. We are not sure if Lisette will be quitting too! - Eugene: Orderly/POC. We believe POC stands for “Product of Conception,” which is how abortion clinics refer to babies. This job may require him to reassemble the aborted babies’ precious bodies to make sure no parts were left inside the mother. * starred have a copy of the Abby Johnson letter. You can print a copy of the letter here:www.attwn.org/wp-content/themes/attwn-child/images/attwn-onepage-lightbackground.pdf. “He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:21
The word “awesome” gets tossed around and overused all the time, but when it comes to God and the truly awesome things He has done, there is no other word that even comes close to describing! We got confirmation today that Forest View Medical Center is closed – PERMANENTLY! The street sign and the sign on the building were both turned around yesterday, Monday, April 14. Every door sports a bright yellow sign stating, “Forest View Medical Center CLOSED.” When someone called the number on the sign, they were told that indeed Forest View was closed for good. Praise God! We don’t have all of the information yet, but we do know that God is awesome beyond all knowing. The timing is also awesome - to begin this Holiest of Weeks when we remember how God sent His only Son to suffer and die for us. The closing of this place of death serves as a tangible reminder of Jesus’ victory over death and His unfailing goodness to those who are faithful (even throughout one of the coldest, longest winters on record!). Yes, to God alone be the glory. Let His praises be ever on our lips! God relied on each of you to be His hands and feet, so there are many people who share in this joyful day: - If you ever stood with us on a Thursday for vigil, shout for joy. - If you walked in one of our Marches for Life in Palatine, give thanks! - If you joined us for our Jericho March where we prayed for the permanent closure of Forest View not quite one year ago on May 4, 2013, blow a trumpet! - Even if all you did was read our email updates and send up prayers, praise God! This week we have all have been given a pat on the back from our Father and a surge from the Spirit to keep fighting for LIFE! So, what now? - - We will not be at Forest View this Thursday, but we will be there on Friday for the Way of the Cross prayer service. Here’s a map to get there: http://northwestfamiliesforlife.weebly.com/vigil-schedule.html . Parking in the Forest View lot shouldn’t be a problem, but just in case, you can park in the connecting lot in front of the 2720 River Rd. building (white with columns). - - We will now turn our attention to another one of abortionist Dr. Goyal’s 5 remaining clinics: Advantage in Wood Dale. - - We are not yet sure if our vigil schedule will stay the same but will keep you posted. - - One thing that is for sure is that we will not stop until all women are protected and all children are safe in their mothers’ wombs. Yes, we WILL STILL be hosting a special Way of the Cross prayer service this Good Friday at Forest View. We would love to gather our NorthWest Families for Life family together one last time at Forest View, so please join us! It will be a most special time of remembering the many victims of abortion, while offering thanksgiving that no more women, children, or men will have to suffer there ever again. Looking for another location for a Good Friday Service? #4-7 are four of the remaining five of Dr. Goyal’s clinics. 1. Aurora: Planned Parenthood, New York Street and Oakhurst Drive, 10:00 a.m. 2. Chicago: Albany Medical/Surgical Center, 5086 N. Elston Ave, 5:00 p.m. (preceded by the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 4:30 p.m.) 3. Des Plaines: Forest View Medical Center, 2750 S. River Road, 10:00 a.m. 4. Downers Grove: Access Health Center, 1700 75th Street, 10:00 a.m. 5. Glen Ellyn: Aanchor Health Center, 1186 Roosevelt Road, 9:30 a.m. 6. Hinsdale: ACU Health Center, 736 N. York Road, 10:00 a.m. 7. Wood Dale: Advantage Clinic, 203 Irving Park Rd, 9:00 a.m. For more information and a link to maps: http://prolifeaction.org/hotline/2014/goodfriday2014/#tools John Jansen of the Pro-Life Action League was kind enough to write a blog post detailing the timeline of our 4-year effort at Forest View here: http://prolifeaction.org/hotline/2014/forestviewclosed/#more-37729 You can also see a picture of the CLOSED sign for yourself! |
Our vigil update writer:
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