April 8, 2010
Spring 2010 40 Days for Life-Indy is over, but the needs of our Gabriel Moms continue as they choose life under difficult and sometimes crisis conditions.
One of our single Moms, Karen (not her real name), raising two children and pregnant always tries to be responsible and rarely asks for help other than enjoying the emotional support and encouragement we provide.
Recently Karen discovered that her landlord has not been paying his bills and as a result she must move - tomorrow, Friday. Imagine being a single Mom, pregnant, working and having to move on short notice. After the move, most of us will rest on the weekend. Karen will work Saturday to make up for Friday's moving day.
If you can help carry boxes, move furniture or provide helpful friends or a vehical - preferably a pickup truck or large van - please contact me as soon as possible at (812) 342-9550 or reply to this email.
Even if you can only help for a couple of hours, that would be great. Karen lives near downtown Indianapolis and she is moving to the east side of Indy.
Data Entry Volunteers Needed
If you volunteered recently, thank you for your patience. You will be contacted next week. We were purchasing a software system and changed our minds. We had to do more research before we could continue.
We also have a need for volunteers to make phone calls and to answer our help line one day a week.
Please contact me if you can help us by replying to this email or call (812) 342-9550. This is another opportunity to be an Angel on your time.
March 26, 2010
Good News!
We have had 2 saves this morning at Planned Parenthood! - so far! Praise God. I will send details later, but both women said that they do not why they changed their minds. One stay inside at PP for 5 minutes and the other way stayed there for 20 minutes before coming out.
Joe Mennel's Surgery - Wednesday
Joe Mennel has played a major role in 40 Days for Life-Indy from the beginning. Joe and his wife, Carol, have also been Gabriel Project Coordinators at St. Barnabas for two years. They also have eight children (four are adopted) and six grandchildren.
Joe puts out requests for prayers daily for hundreds of individuals and he was part of the GP Planning Team for our recent fundraising banquet and brings CRHP to many parishes in the archdiocese.
'No' is not in Joe's vocabulary. If you need a friend, you can always count on Joe.
This time it's Joe's turn. He has surgery scheduled for next Wednesday at 7:00 AM. That gives us five days to storm heaven starting right now.
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| Mary Howard, teaches life values by example to her three beautiful grandchildren Allison, Abigail and Elizabeth Stann. |
Tuesday will be remembered as a sad day for the unborn on the national level. All the more reason to support local Pro-life efforts to help women and families experiencing a crisis pregnancy.
Over 300 supporters of the Gabriel Project gathered Tuesday evening to hear and share stories of miracles and love and to be inspired by David Bereit, co-founder and national director of 40 Days for Life at the first fundraising banquet of the Gabriel Project. 'Thank you' to all who came to the banquet. We will have a report on dontations next week.
2010 Spring campaign of 40 Days for Life-Indy is almost over. Thank you to all the planners, leaders and participants.
Special Prayer Requests
This Spring several people, including Fr. Andrew Dudzinski, came from Muncee every week to pray with us. The organizer of the Muncee group is Connie Rahe, sister of Donna Van Doren. Please keep Connie's husband Bob in your prayers for his heart condition and pray for David, the son of Connie and Bob, who is #5 on the list for a heart and lung transplants.
Stations of the Cross - Saturday, 10 AM
Joseph Lehner, one of our leaders, has organized a special program for Saturday morning at Planned Parenthood. Joseph Lehner has organized the program and describes it here:
We will have Stations of the Cross, followed by prayer, some short reflections, and some songs. It will conclude at 11:30 AM. Please pass the word. If you can't make it, God bless you for all you've done for this fall campaign!
If you have the time, come at 9 AM and join Shield of Roses in their weekly Rosary recitations. S.O.R. meets every Saturday morning at Planned Parenthood, 52 weeks a year, to say the Rosary. (Note: when its not 40 Days they meet at 9:30 AM).
We look forward to marking the end of this Spring Campaign and the beginning of Holy Week by meditating on the Way of the Cross; on the shameful, bloody rejection of God's truth; and on the greatest sacrifice of LOVE Himself.
We have seen again this spring that faithfulness and dedication, combined with prayer and fasting, makes a difference in this world - on Georgetown Road and in Washington DC! God doesn't expect victories from us, he expects us to be faithful.
To Him be the victory and the glory! Regardless of what happens in the halls of political power, we are called to live out our faiths right here where we are, and leave the rest up to Jesus. And we know God uses our efforts as he alters the world, changes hearts, saves lives, performs miracles, and surprises both believers and unbelievers alike.
February 17, 2010
After the pro-life Mass last Saturday at St. Monica's, several people gathered in the snow to pray for an end to abortion.
Three wonderful things happened today. First, as I was driving by the prayer vigil site at Planned Parenthood this evening I noticed that some Samaritans had both plowed the right-of-way parking area and shoveled the snow in the grassy prayer vigil area. What a nice surprise for those who will brave the cold air Wednesday morning. At least they will not have to stand in deep snow. Pray that no more snow falls tonight.
On my way home I worried as to whether or not we would be able to fill all the empty hours I had seen on the schedule earlier in the day. With the cold temperatures and the snow I feared the worst. The second wonderful thing was that when I checked the online schedule again Wednesday and Thursday were full of names, two names every hour and even three during a few. Praise the Lord! He amazes me, when I begin to doubt he shows me that he will provide. When will I ever learn to trust him?
The third wonderful thing is that a wonderful woman was called home. Donna Dlugosz died today, as some of you may have heard. I met Donna while praying at PP. Donna would often come with her Husband Steve to pray at the abortion facilities. I didn't get to know Donna very well, but she always seemed happy. If you have followed along with Steve's daily updates you know the suffering Donna and her family endured. Being Catholic now, I have a better understanding of the redemptive power of suffering, but following along with Donna's journey, even by email I realize I have more to learn.
Thank you Steve and Donna for your example of true love for one another and faith in our Lord. Donna's funeral arrangements will be published later today.
February 11, 2010
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| Father Loncar leads an honor guard of Knights of Columbus as others follow in a Jericho March at Planned Parenthood in Merrillville during the fall, 2009 40 Days for Life. Spring 40 Days for Life starts next Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 in these Indiana cities: Bloomington, Indianapolis, Merrillville, South Bend and Warsaw. |
40 Days for Life-Indy is gearing up. Although it is Lent, the Spring is never as strong as the fall. Maybe it's the weather? In spite of the weather and other factors, Eric Slaughter, Joseph Lehner and web-master, Elaine Alvarez have been working and leading the 40 Days team to be ready next week.
For the first time, we will not have a kick-off this Sunday. We might have a mid-way rally or an ending rally, but not the kick-off. The following statement is an announcement by Eric Slaughter about a pro-life Mass scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 13 at 8:00 AM at St. Monica church:
Join Shield of Roses from St. Monica Church and 40 Days for Life for a pro-life Mass Saturday, February 13 at 8:00 am at St. Monica Catholic Church. The purpose of Shield of Roses and 40 Days for Life is to witness to the truth about abortion.
Following Mass, coffee and bagels will be served after which all are invited to join us from 9:30 to 10:30 am in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 8590 Georgetown Road. You can join Shield of Roses every Saturday at this time. For more information, contact Steve Martin at ember46(at)comcast.net
The 40 Days for Life prayer vigil takes place in front of Planned Parenthood beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17 and ends Palm Sunday, March 28, everyday from 8am - 6pm Mon through Sat and 12 - 6pm on Sun. Those who wish to peacefully pray and keep the vigil are invited to join us at any time. For more information go to: www.40daysforlife.com/indianapolis
Pray for the unborn, and those hurt by abortion. Pray and fast for an end to abortion.
