40 Days for Life in Rochester (2)

On this Feast of St. Padre Pio, I attended the kickoff rally for 40 Days for Life in Rochester. I think the good Capuchin would have approved.

The nationwide prayer campaign begins at midnight tonight and runs until November 2. The local effort will take place outside the Planned Parenthood Killing Center at 114 University Avenue here in Rochester.

The campaign has two goals, said local coordinator Joe Rivera: "To bring an end to abortion, but also to bring healing."

The Knight of Columbus cited national and local statistics, noting that it's important for people to realize how many babies die here. In our county, Monroe County, in 2006 (the latest figures available) there were 3,468 abortions. Planned Parenthood, the billion-dollar abortion business, accounted for more than 2,600 of those County deaths.

"This is a problem that will continue to grow unless we do something about it," he said.

The rally and prayer service featured prayers, a talk by a deacon on Margaret Sanger (Planned Parenthood's founder), and two women from Silent No More who talked movingly about their own abortions and the emotional/psychological/physical scars they left.

There was also a fiery talk by Father Joe Catanise (who's parish I'll be visiting for a Secular Franciscan Mass October 3).

"I truly believe you can't be Christian if you believe in abortion," Father declared.

He noted that we've heard many homilies on such topics as the death penalty and war - and rightly so - but not enough on abortion. "We've been silent too long."

He also offered encouragement.

"Remember: Believe in your heart that you are doing God's work."

I signed up for an hour shift this weekend (work gets in the way!). A friend saw that I had signed up and signed on with me. Then she asked if I would be willing to do a second hour with her. I happily agreed to do so.

Hey, it's doing God's work!

I'll be taking on additional shifts in the coming weeks.