From Stan Siok
English Parish Coordinator, 40 Days for Life
Below is the Summary of the participation in the 40 Days for Life Campaign, and other articles related to the closing of the fall 2010, 40 Days for Life Campaign. Doris Gagnon and Ruth Lobo took part in the Closing Rally and provide insights on how to continue the work we started in this Campaign. The support and involvement of Archbishop Terrence Prendergast was pivotal to the success of this Campaign. The Archbishop was at the Closing Rally, and presided over the Vespers Service at Saint Patrick’s Basilica which immediately followed the Rally. To see pictures, scroll down on The Journey of a Bishop.
Summary of Ottawa’s 2010 40 Days life Campaign
This summary describes how this latest Campaign set new milestones in terms of numbers present at one time at Ground Zero. The main reason for this impressive presence was the larger mobilization of Parish and other groups in this pro-life cause. The introductory paragraph quotes Pope John Paul II, who stated that in our struggle against the Culture of Death, “… Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places… Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living …” To read more, click on summary.
Fr. Frank Pavone on storming the gates of hell
In his latest reflection available of the 40 Days for Life Web site, Fr. Pavone offers an insightful perspective on the following Scriptural passage: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” -- Matthew 16:18
“Indeed, the gates of hell will not prevail. The gates of falsehood will flee in the presence of truth. The gates of sin will melt in the presence of grace. The gates of death will fall in the presence of the church, the People of Life!”
During these 40 days, we have stormed the gates. We have taken the offensive. We have pushed forward the boundaries of the kingdom. And we must keep doing so, in numerous ways.
The work is just beginning
Now that the 40 Days Campaign is ended, do we wait until the next Campaign to get involved again? As Shawn Carney, Campaign Director for 40 Days for Life recently said:
“ We’ve always said that 40 Days for Life is but a first step. Now, it’s time to take the next step. What will that next step be? For you personally? For your community?”
Here are a few suggestions to consider
Doris Gagnon, who is head of Sidewalk Counseling with our 40 Days Campaign, proposes to maintain a prayerful presence at the abortion mill at 65 Bank St. on certain days and times when the abortions take place.
Ruth Lobo, President of Carleton Lifeline, is seeking funds to defend the arrests of four students on October 4th. She is also looking for donations to help with future campus projects. For more info, click HERE.
In his 1993 World Youth Day address in Denver regarding the struggle against the Culture of Death, Pope John Paul II stated:
“Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places….This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel It is the time to preach it from the rooftops Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern ``metropolis''….
The Vigil we conducted here in front of the abortion facility on this busy street can be considered to be our response to the late Pope’s commissioning. Although addressed specifically to youth, we believe this call applies to everyone, including retirees: that is to engage the culture of death in this peaceful, prayerful but also very public witness as we do at this Vigil site.
This year’s 40 Days for Life Campaign set new milestones in terms of numbers present at one time at Ground Zero. On more than one occasion, more than 15 people took part in giving powerful testimony for the Sanctity of Life. This was described as a mini Life-Chain. The main reason for this impressive presence was the larger mobilization of Parish, Church, and other groups in this pro-life cause.
Parish Involvement
15 Parishes: full day (12 hours)
7 Parishes: 6 hours or less
4 Parish groups involved In this latest campaign, we had 22 Parishes which formally registered
for at least 4 consecutive hours….five more than the previous campaign.
The Parishes which registered or took a full day in both this and in a previous campaign were: Annunciation of the Lord, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Korean Martyrs, St. Augustine, St. Maurice, St. Mary’s, St. John the Apostle, St Hyacinth (Polish Parish), St. Clement, St. Patrick’s Basilica and St. Monica.
Parishes that joined the full 12 hour Parish day for the first time in a 40 Days Campaign
were Good Shepherd, Holy Redeemer, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Russell) , Our Lady of the Visitation (Greely). Parishes which signed up for 6 hours were Paroisse Ste. Marie and Divine Infant Parish, both in Orleans.
Parishes which registered in the 4 to 6 hour category for the first time
were Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Vanier), Holy Name of Mary (Almonte), Lift Jesus Higher Community, St. Albertus Pfarrgemeinde (German Parish) and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.
It was heartening to see the Knights of Columbus get formally involved in the 40 Days Campaign. The gauntlet was dropped by St. Patrick Basilica Council (12158) which registered for a whole day. On that particular Sunday, their presence was reinforced by members from the Council (8008) from Annunciation of the Lord Parish for a truly remarkably turnout at Ground Zero. The Knights from Holy Redeemer Parish were instrumental in their Parish taking a full day for the first time.
Other Groups
There were also six other Groups involved in the campaign. Couples for Christ took a full 12 hours, as they have done in previous campaigns. CCO (Catholic Christian Outreach) and NET (National Evangelization Team) continued to be heavily involved as well. CCO signed up for 3 hours every Sunday between 7 and 10 AM. NET took over 12 hours in total. Youth belonging to University of Ottawa Students for Life, and a Pro-Life group from Cornwall also did a number of hours at the Vigil site.
Perhaps the most heart-warming experience of the campaign was when Ground Zero was visited by 10 students and 6 adults from Wayside Academy in Peterborough. A strong presence of so many high-schoolers standing up for life on a busy Friday created quite a stir and was a phenomenal witness.
Outstanding Individual Effort during the Campaign
The various Parishes and Other Groups covered about 24 days of the40 day Campaign. The remaining 16 days required individual commitment and sacrifice to ensure a prayerful presence at Ground Zero. A few extraordinary individuals did in excess of 50 hours duringthe campaign…averaging more than one hour each of the 40 day.
Many other individuals came in for one or more hours each week of the Campaign, which was very helpful. Some people came incognito … without signing the log, just to pray for some time during their lunch break, or while waiting for their bus.
Vigilers who came in on short notice to cover empty slots were particularly appreciated in that they ensured that the Vigil Calendar was filled. There were several such dedicated persons.
We thank God for these outstanding individuals, as well as those involved in the Parish, and Other Group efforts. Countless numbers noticed this potent testimony in support of the Sanctity of Life on this very busy street. We trust in His grace to move and convert hearts to embrace the Culture of Life.
We are also very grateful for the many prayers and Mass intentions offered for the success of this Campaign. Some Parishes conducted rosaries and other devotions for the success of the 40 Days. Graces
flowing from all these prayers were vital. We could feel God’s presence protecting us throughout the Campaign. We ask God tocontinue to bless the efforts that have gone into this 40 Days for Life Campaign.
God Bless all those who took part in this Campaign.
Stan Siok
English Parish Coordinator, 40 Days for Life