Start A New Lenten Tradition!

My 8 year old made this sign during the October 40 Days for Life Campaign

Last year, our family was blessed to participate in the 40 Days for Life campaign, held annually during Lent and again in the fall.  40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, and 40 days of community outreach.  During the vigil, the pro-life faithful gather in front of the Planned Parenthood clinic at 160 South 1000 East in Salt Lake City to pray the rosary together.  A collection of groups arrange to take shifts each week during Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, with the goal of having someone praying during all business hours throughout the campaign.

During this Lenten event, volunteers from St. Ambrose are coordinating to cover the shifts on Wednesdays from 1:00-6:00, beginning on Ash Wednesday (that's tomorrow!).  We need more volunteers who are willing to commit to pray for one hour, each week during Lent.  If you are not able to commit to every week, I encourage you to sign up for the weeks that you can.

40 Days for Life was a powerful addition to our family's Lenten devotions last year.  My children learned more about praying the rosary, and we were all blessed by the focused time in prayer as a family.  40 Days for Life was an amazing opportunity to share our pro-life values with our children. We have even been blessed with many new friendships, through participation in this ministry.

But in the end it is not about me, or you, it is about the thousands of innocent lives that are lost each day in the holocaust of abortion.  During this focused time of prayer we have the opportunity to make an impact, through our prayer and presence.   Worldwide, 40 Days for Life has mobilized over 500,000 people, saved more than 5,000 lives from abortion, led to the conversation of 61 abortions workers, and seen 19 facilities close.  This is something tangible we can do to make a difference!

There will be a kick-off candlelight vigil held tonight from 7:00-8:00 at the Planned Parenthood in Salt Lake City.  You will be able to pick up signs and devotions to use during the campaign.  All participants must read the Code of Conduct and sign a Statement of Peace.  For more information or to sign up for a shift, contact Heidi, heyhohideo@hotmail.com, or Holly, hollyerinbruce@gmail.com.

"...we will stand up every time that human life is threatened. When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, we will stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life. When a child is described as a burden or is looked upon only as a means to satisfy an emotional need, we will stand up and insist that every child is a unique and unrepeatable gift of God, with the right to a loving and united family..."

~ Pope John Paul II, Homily at the Holy Mass at the Capital Mall, October 7, 1979 ~