40 Days for Life Continues

At least four abortions averted in Rochester.

That's the official tally as the 40 Days for Life campaign concluded November 2. And who knows how many other hearts and minds were changed?

But while the official portion of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Rochester ended yesterday, it was made clear at the "victory celebration" that the campaign will continue in other ways.

As local campaign coordinator Jose Rivera said to the more than 40 people at the celebration, Planned Parenthood may think that the effort is over, but the message is, "We're here. We mean business. We want you to stop."

The goal is, he said, "no more abortions at 114 University Avenue."

At the celebration at Our Lady of the America's Church, Rivera played a recording from the national chairman David Bereit. He reported more than 10,000 people took part in campaigns in 179 cities - with more than 450 babies saved.

"This work is merely coming to a new beginning, " Bereit declared.

In Rochester, some 250 people from 37 churches were involved in the campaign. Some of those people had not been involved in pro-life efforts of this sort before, but not want to remain involved.

Plans are already underway for the campaign to continue unofficially with volunteers signing up to provide a prayer presence at Planned Parenthood at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while some individuals will be continuing on their own on other days.

In addition, there was talk of a monthly prayer procession through downtown Rochester similar to the one that marked the midpoint of the campaign.

Rivera said the committee that oversaw the Rochester campaign will continue to meet to keep up the efforts, and to prepare for the spring campaign.

"I believe this is the beginning of the end of abortion in America," he said.