40 Days for Life Halifax

Email from an anonymous supporter

2011-12-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I was informed of this email that was sent to a participant of 40 Days from a man he used to work with. Sometimes our greatest support comes from the least expected places. I am grateful that this man shared his thoughts with another and permitted me to put them online.

Last week I was on my way to the VG hospital for a scheduled surgery. I walked past a group of people quietly practising their right of free speech. I noticed their signs and felt an immense guilt. Guilt regarding a question that has bothered me for years yet I can't seem to answer.

Being from a matriarchal culture, having a mother who fights the sex battles front line - challenging the system and working non traditional roles, having respect for women and their bodies...

I have never been so conflicted, so angry about any subject as much as I am regarding abortion.

These quiet people simply stating facts were mocked and harassed by passers by. I did not have the courage to stand by them in quiet solidarity. I am a coward in the face of public opinion and social grace.

Am I angry at the practice - you bet. Am I angry at my ability to remain silent - you BET.

My question? I have never supported abortion, regardless of the means or reasons. How - in this day - is it possible that my tax dollars pay for this disgusting, backwards practice?

People always reference the 6 million Jews and undesirables murdered during the Nazi reign. How many little helpless babies are allowed to be murdered each day? By law and using my dollars? I am guilty of murder by proxy because my tax dollars fund it!

These little wonders could fix this world, cure cancer, bring peace - and we do not give them the chance. What laws of nature, science or God allows this to keep happening?

I'm mad, I'm distressed. What will they say about us in 200 years? Baby killers.

I never condone violence, would never infringe on any person's rights. I am compelled to help. Can you suggest?

Struggles of the Post-Abortion Woman

2011-11-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

Regarding our presence at 40 days for life.

Why would a post-abortion woman choose to say that our presence at 40 days for life is hurtful to her?

-- because she is hurting already and may need to point at something ‘outside’ herself to blame for her hurt as she strives to relieve, or justify, her post-abortion emotions.

-- because she is hurting already due to the fact that society let her down. When the word abortion was used ‘out there’ in society, it was just a legal term, but now, for a post-abortion woman it is personal with ramifications that the legal choice never, ever alluded to.

-- because she is hurting already having realized, as one of our Project Rachel women stated, “abortion is a lie.”

Abortion stopped the pregnancy but not her emotional attachment to her child.

-- because she is hurting already due to the fact that society has discounted her intelligence.

She knows it was a baby – a human being, she knows it was her child and yet who, in society in general, is willing to talk to her about this?

Project Rachel is.

-- because she is hurting already since her friends have told her she did the ‘right thing’, and yet she knows now, through experiencing her pain and guilt, that this is not true.

-- because she is hurting already because she has been struggling to justify how Canada can offer the legal right to choose abortion, yet, from her post-abortion experiences she realizes that abortion is not a right choice for women.

-- because she is hurting already knowing the truth - that there is no going back and undoing what was done.

because she is hurting already and may be reluctant to admit that those of us praying to end abortion are not there to remove her right to choose, but rather to encourage women to make a right choice.

-- because she is hurting already feeling she will be trapped in this hurt and pain the rest of her life.

One of our Project Rachel women from our support group in 2010 told us recently that when she would hear the word abortion before her healing, she felt like she had been punched in the stomach, but now she no longer has any fearful reaction to the abortion word. And she has named and claimed her dear baby and knows she is his mother!!

From Project Rachel
a post abortion support group
Project Rachel

40 Days and those who have had abortions

2011-11-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

The prayerful focus of the 40 days for Life site has never been intended to hurt women who have already had an abortion. Our prayers are in union with their aching hearts as they struggle with the aftermath of their choice. Our prayers herald the fact that we realize, as do they, just how destructive abortion can be in a woman's life and that we don't want any more women/men suffering such pain. (post-abortion women have expressed this very fact to us that they hope their pain-filled stories will help others NOT to choose abortion)

Why might some say our prayerful presence could 'hurt' post-abortion women. Perhaps it is not our presence praying to end abortion at the VG 40 Day site but seeing the word abortion itself written out! (If we were praying for a better health system, would the concern be the same?) It is sobering how abortion is a choice and legally available in Canada, and many feel that it should be a woman's freedom to choose this procedure, yet the women who come to seek post-abortion healing will not even use the 'a' word when first contacting Project Rachel because, they tell us, it is not a nice word! One of our post-abortion women did not say the 'a' word till our last healing support group session because of her deep denial -- if one does not say the word, then what happened did not really happen and can be shoved deep down inside.

So when does it become a hurtful word for women to see/use? Do they see the word abortion as hurtful before the choice, or during the choice, or after the choice. When does the hurt set in -- before, during or after. They may find the decision to choose abortion a difficult one, yet, if it is legal and a woman's right what down deep inside a woman's heart makes abortion a difficult choice? They may feel the physical hurt during the procedure. (the sounds of the vacuuming are distressing; the excessive abdominal cramps after). They may feel the greatest hurt after the abortion, not because of our presence, but because their very feminine instinct tells them that they would not have chosen abortion if they had not been pregnant and being pregnant means one is expecting a baby. We belittle a woman's intelligence if we think she is not aware of this fact.

Any hurt a post-abortion woman carries has not come from the gentle prayerful 40 days presence but from the abortion choice she has made. Yet this is often too hard for her to admit. Does anyone want to admit hurting themselves by their own choice? I don't. It is always easier, for many of us both pro-life and pro-choice to point the finger at others. It may be easier to blame 40 days for Life for the hurt, because admitting they have inflicted this hurt upon themselves is often too hard to bear. Yet for some to face the Truth seems even harder.

You see these post-abortion women realize that they have lost their child, and for some of our Project Rachel women it was the only child they would ever bear. (a deep hurt). They have never been able to properly grieve the loss of this child because they feel it was their choice that ended their baby's life, so they feel their tears of grief would not be appropriate. (stifling their natural motherly instincts) And they think that they will always be drowning in these emotions because how could anyone get over the fact that she took her child's life. (When they come to Project Rachel they often blurt out, almost right away, that they are murderers or killers -- what a pain to bear.) Yet 40 days has not inflicted this pain.

So when 40 days for Life is present, praying to end abortion, without finger-pointing, name calling, (PRAISE THE LORD) we pray-ers hopefully will keep in mind that our prayers are not only for the life of the precious unborn, but for the precious life of each woman whether she is tremblingly considering abortion, or is now caught up in painful post-abortion emotions. Let our presence be joyfully prayerful and dependent entirely on God's love for each one of us -- pro-life and pro-choice alike.

- posted by Margo from Project Rachel

Closing Prayer at 40 Days for Life

2011-11-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

Are We Shaming Women?

2011-11-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

Twice today, I have heard the allegation that we at 40 Days for Life are shaming women who have had an abortion. One young man was quite angry as he concluded that his girlfriend tonight was going to be very upset because we would be reminding her of her abortion five years ago.

And the blog,ExistInspire posts:

Reaction to 40 Days of Life: Organizations like 40 Days for Life, who are currently stationed outside the Victoria General Hospital, intimidate and shame women who are making an often difficult choice. 40 Days for Life seeks to shut down abortion providers and achieve the “end of abortion in America.” These organizations do not recognize the systemic gendered oppression that often contributes to a woman’s choice to terminate a pregnancy.

These are the young women from the SMU Women's Centre who have come frequently to pass out pro-choice literature to passersby and to support those who have to walk past us.

I think we at 40 Days for Life need to make a response.

We do not set out to "shame women" for their past choice of an abortion. Our signs are not judgmental signs in that they say those who choose abortion are morally corrupt. They simply state "Pray for an end to abortion".

In an ideal world, wouldn't everyone, even those who are pro-choice, wish there was an end to abortion?

Our presence of prayer in public is for two purposes: first to witness to the sanctity of life to our culture, which does not recognize it any longer and to lift our heartfelt prayers to God to bring an end to an evil that we see destroying the fabric of our society.

If people are upset by the signs that put prayer and abortion together, I think that tells us that something deep inside them is feeling conflicted about this. Shame and guilt are meant to bring one to a recognition of something wrong that one has done; if women are feeling shame and guilt, perhaps they need to look at their actions and ask themselves if they have done wrong. Some will say no, and feel quite justified in that. But many will feel badly, because they wish they hadn't had that abortion, they are holding that pain inside - a pain that is calling out to God to forgive them.

I realise that many who read this totally disagree with that, but that is our position as believers. God creates human life, and we have no right to destroy it, no matter what circumstances.

In this world of "rights" and "entitlements", someone has to stand for the one who has no voice in this at all - the child in the womb. What used to be the safest place in the world has now become the most dangerous, and one's existence is dependent upon the decision of another. Every abortion kills a living human being. That is the injustice that brings us out in public to pray.

For those who are feeling shame as they pass us, I would suggest that they look at the resources for post-abortion healing:
Project Rachel
Silent No More Awareness

The Case for Pro-Life

2011-11-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Those who support abortion still use the argument that the unborn are not human as "born" people are human, thereby justifying abortion. Often sentience is used as a criteria for deciding whether a life has value. One of the commenters here asked the question "why is being sentient an any more or less valuable trait than being, say, six feet tall?... Is it not utilitarian relativism to value being sentient over other traits?" Indeed, why choose that one characteristic to give life a value?

I think one of the most convincing biographies of someone turned pro-life has to be the one of Dr. Bernard Nathanson. Nathanson was one of the founders of NARAL Pro-Choice America and he ran the largest abortion clinic in the country in New York City. He performed over 75,000 abortions, including one on his own child. Nathanson wrote his auto-biography in the book The Hand of God, but I found his account of the early days of NARAL in Aborting America to be the far more telling book. He wrote that book while he was still an abortionist and it recounts his gradual change of mind on the abortion issue. A must-read for someone who really wants to know the history of the abortion issue in North America.

Perhaps this quote would be of interest to those who think that being pro-life has to do with religious belief. It is true that most of us on this side are church-goers but it is not necessarily so.

My switch to pro-life had nothing to do with religion. I changed my mind based on fetoscopies and ultrasound studies. Once we had ultrasound in place, we could study the fetus and see that it was a member of our community. If you don't do that, you are just a creature of political ideology. In 1970, there were approximately 1,100 articles on the functioning of the fetus. By 1990, there were 22,000. The data piled up swiftly and opened a window into the womb.

- from The Hand of God, by Bernard Nathanson, M.D.

Photos from the Banquet

2011-11-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Georges Buscemi's Talk

2011-11-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Georges Buscemi sent me his talk in point form and I am going to reprint it here. The part in brackets is added in order to make it clearer as he did embellish it more than what he had written down.

Talk to Participants of Halifax 40 Days for Life Vigil

Open with prayer

What I’m going to talk about: how to spread the gospel of Life --how to be pro-life-- in an inhospitable location (Montreal, Halifax, most medium and big cities in the Western world)

THESIS: the key to surviving and thriving in your pro-life work in an inhospitable place is to go beyond being a prophet and becoming a priest -- going beyond showing what’s wrong and having something to offer: forgiveness and a better way to live, a way to overcome sin and death.

About myself: --the fetus picture from Stephanie Gray’s CCBR movie -- I saw evil and I had to fight it... (Georges was studying for his doctorate in theology at McGill when he attended a pro-life meeting at which a film was shown that shows abortion with the dismemberment of the baby. He was so convicted by this, that his desire to study evaporated and he got into pro-life work full-time)

The role of the prophet: exposing evil, calling to repentance...

Luke 7:24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

But what does Jesus mean when he says that enigmatic phrase, that John the Baptist is least in the Kingdom of Heaven?

The solution is found in a following part of chapter 7 in Luke (verse 39): the prostitute at Simon the Pharisee's home.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,d and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

You are truly saved and justified in the eyes of God if you accept his forgiveness for what you recognize as a huge debt owed to him. (Georges added that he thinks personally the woman could love much because she was forgiven much, the forgiveness coming before the ability to love)

God needs us broken down and contrite, freely accepting the forgiveness that we need. Only then can we be his docile instruments through which he works his salvation.

how to be more, how to really be effective? Go beyond showing evil and start healing.
-we must learn that we’re just as bad as “them,” worse than them -- we must genuinely believe it--this is what makes you “greater than John”.Humility, patience (anecdote of the women whom I asked “and who are you?” and she answered “I’m …. I’m free!”--I was stewing in my juices...)

Alexandr Soljenitsyn: “If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”

---I’ve often felt like Jonah who wished God had just completely smote Nineveh (Montreal, Halifax) instead of giving it “yet another chance”. When you stand in front of the clinic and see this steady mechanical stream of cars going by filled with anonymous and seemingly ignorant people who couldn’t care less about the dismembering of children, you feel like crying to heaven, imploring God to raise the city completely and leave not one stone upon the other. Choking on the realization that these people are given the chance to continue on living as if nothing were happening, we feel like Jonah who asked the Lord “Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

-But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”

--Prophesying is not enough, God says, one must show CONCERN for the city. HOW: forgiveness. Only forgiveness leads to repentance. Only forgiveness can heal. And we can only forgive if we are truly forgiven ourselves.

Recount the parable of Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

The prophet is the the dog licking Lazarus’ wounds. (Georges added licking the wounds to the point of soreness) The priest is the one who puts the balm of forgiveness on the wound of sin. To be successful -- to be able to survive and look at yourself in the mirror everyday as you set out to tell people what they think they don’t want to hear-- at the 40 Days or any other pro-life work we must both be prophets and priests.

Another image of how prophet and priest work together: like the net (the law) and the arms that lift the net out of the water (grace). When Jesus said to Peter and the rest of the crew, after they had been fruitlessly fishing all night (Luke 5:1-8), to “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch,” Peter was skeptical, because they had been out all night. But they did go out and dropped the nets and pulled in a huge load of fish. I see the net as being the law, and it is the prophet’s job to proclaim the law (i.e. the injustice of abortion), to cast the net. But it is the priest’s job to pull the net out of water. But only forgiveness lightens the load of sin, and without it the net would be too heavy to lift: after all, the whole world is in that net.

The spirit of the 40 Days

I think that the 40 Days are the necessary beginning of something really great, something that we can’t foresee. It’s kind of like St. Francis of Assisi, the well known medieval saint, who, one day, prayed in the little church of St. Damian outside the walls of Assisi, and felt the eyes of the Christ on the crucifix gazing at him and heard a voice saying three times, "Francis, go and repair my house, which you see is falling down." He thought God was literally asking him to rebuild a stone church. He understood with time that it was a spiritual edifice that he was called to erect. The same with us, I think. And this is me getting maybe a bit mystical: but I genuinely think that the pro-life movement is the most important christian movement working today.

In Revelation, (Chapter 12:1-6) the dragon -- Satan -- tries to eat the child as it is coming out of his mother’s womb. But at the last second the child is whisked out of reach of the dragon’s jaws and is elevated to the right hand of the Father.

I think that through our calling to save babies from the abortionist’s tongs, we are called to save THE baby from Satan’s jaws-- Christ Himself in his mystical body which is the Chruch.

Prophets, priests (minister of forgiveness), … What about Kings? A few comments about the criminalisation of abortion:
Some churchmen, some people are uncomfortable with “imposing their views”. I even often hear the slogan: we don’t impose, we propose. But this is somewhat disingenuous, because when we talk about laws, we propose to impose. It’s a bit of both.

The thing is this: is a sin just a sin for Christians, or is it a sin for everyone? But there’s no way someone will truly consider X sinful if X is completely legal and sanctioned by the state. In addition to protecting the innocent and the weak, good laws --moral laws--educate about morality. So going without a law on abortion is akin to fishing without a net. But Jesus said the kingdom was like a net that catches all fish (Matthew 13:47). We have to educate the most people possible about what’s right and wrong. And laws do educate. And this is why we fight to make abortion illegal.

Tax exempt status: I know there’s the fear of losing the tax exempt status, but we have to decide now between God and Mammon, and I think all churches should think long and hard about voluntarily giving up tax-exempt status … you’re just not free to speak out with the taxman looking over your shoulder......)

Pro-life and filling the pews: A few comments about “new evangelization” / going out in the deep (talk about what “new evangelization means) : Some pastors might believe that abortion is the last thing you want to talk about if you want to get people back in the pews. I think the opposite. For the new evangelisation, or whatever you want to call it, people will only be interested in being saved if they realize they need to be saved. But if they don’t know about their sin, why would they need to go to church? Abortion is probably the biggest, most widespread sin today, so putting a spotlight on abortion is an essential component of the new evangelisation. Once they realize what they’ve done, that they have “crucified Christ” in the person of the unborn child (c.f. “‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40”) they will seek forgiveness, and they will seek it and truly be forgiven only if they find in those who show them their sin the face of the One who will forgive them. But the face of God only shows through in us if we accept God’s forgiveness. And we can only accept God’s forgiveness if we recognize that we are just as sinful as the pro-choicers.

We therefore have to be forgiven by God to show God’s love to others.

A blessed encounter

2011-10-31T16:04:00.000-07:00

I got emails from two women who were at the vigil site this afternoon from 3 to 4. Both told me about the same incident. And I will share it with you here.

On Saturday, a young man arrived, with two others, carrying a sign that read "Ignore these idiots". He was back today by himself with the same sign and it was certainly getting cold. When he greeted me, I suggested perhaps he should get a warmer jacket. He agreed that he should.

So shortly after 3, he left to do that but he didn't return. Here is the story from Marilyn:

A lady stopped by to say thank-you and shake my hand, for being there at the vigil. She said the young man with the sign had bothered her. Her daughter, who goes to St. Mary's, was with her. She said her daughter was born with Down syndrome, and they, ie, the medical staff, had no way of knowing back then that she'd be able to go to University. A second young woman stopped by to say she appreciated me being there, and had realized how you have to put up with all kinds reactions from people. I thanked them for stopping by and for their encouragement.

And from Carol:

Both the mother and daughter spoke of how the medical community aborts any type of abnormality in a fetus now. This mother chose not to and wanted to thank us profoundly for standing for the rights of the unborn.
It seemed an almost supernatural moment for me.
I reached out to take their hands and spoke what a gift the daughter was to her mom and then taking the daughter's hands what a gift from God she is to her mother.
It was such a beautiful and unexpected moment.
They were expressing their gratitude for the vigil.

Both Marilyn and Carol are retired nurses.

Dinner and Guest Speaker

2011-10-31T04:08:00.000-07:00

Last night, one hundred people turned out for a 40 Days for Life banquet with guest speaker Georges Buscemi from Montreal.

Due to high winds, we canceled the vigil yesterday (first time ever) but we were concerned with people standing under power lines that might rip off poles in the 100-kilometre gusts. When your golf umbrella turns inside out, you know it is not wise to be outside.

The dinner gave people an opportunity to chat and meet new folks who are participating in the vigil. As well, we had a good number of people who were invited so that they could have a first taste of what 40 Days is all about.
Particularly encouraging was the number of young adults who came to the dinner. Several people from the Halifax Wesleyan Church came out with Zach, the youth pastor there, and 5 or 6 university students who are part of the St. Mary's Young Adult group came as well. A young married couple who have joined us this year also attended. And four people from CCO came as well, one couple with a brand new baby. It is necessary to bring this issue to the next generation to carry forward, because it is not going away.

More young people are becoming pro-life, according to the polls. The pro-choice position peaked in the 80's and 90's, but there is a gradual turning around on this issue amongst the twenty and thirty-year-olds. As they realise that 1/3 to 1/4 of their generation is missing, the truth hits home - that abortion hurts all of us.

Georges Buscemi is the president of Quebec Life Coalition in the city of Montreal. And he brought 40 Days to Montreal in 2009 and now to Quebec City in 2011. A hard province in which to witness to the sanctity of life, where the abortion rate is 50% higher than elsewhere in the country. Opposition to their vigil is pretty constant and usually comes from women who have had abortions and are angrily re-affirming their "right to choose".

Georges was a delightful speaker. I didn't know much about him before meeting him yesterday, so his delivery and message was a little unexpected. He brought the subject of pro-life around to the spiritual foundation pretty darn quick. With numerous Scripture references, Georges outlined our role in the pro-life movement as prophet, priest, and king. The prophetic role lies in uncovering the sin in our nation, and is difficult. Georges compared it to a dog licking wounds on his master's leg until they are raw. The priestly role is the one that offers people the opportunity to turn around, to have a change of heart. This, Georges admitted, was something that he is still working on understanding, but it really does seem to be the key to pro-life work. Without the offer of a transformative change that heals, why would anyone want to switch from pro-choice to pro-life?

Georges said that, when people see we can point out the evil of abortion without judging those who have participated in it, then we have a chance of conversing with them. They must see something better in us than what they have in their own life. They must sense a peace that they do not have. Otherwise, why change sides?

So, as we pray on South Park Street, ask the Lord to give you a compassionate heart, one that does not judge those walking by or driving past, but a heart that lifts all of creation up to the Lord for healing. We are all broken people, some just a little more broken than others.

For Your Information

2011-10-30T04:20:00.001-07:00

If you have made a comment on this blog and it has not been published, please note that no comments from Anonymous will be published. Only comments with your name will be put on the blog.

Today at the Vigil Site

2011-10-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

As promised, I would like to write up the events of this afternoon. We (my husband, my mother who is visiting with us and my daughter) were at the vigil today from 2 pm to 3 pm. It was absolutely quiet until 2:30 p.m. when a young man dressed lightly came by, put down his backpack and got out a big sign “IGNORE THESE IDIOTS”. He was cheerful and ready to fight. We stood there and prayed only smiling back at his obviously provocative statements. Here are some of them:

- Personally, I don’t think you guys are idiots but your idea is idiotic

- Please tell me why you are here and I will go home

- Please give me the right answer and I will join you and be on your side

- You know that you are banned from the premises of the hospital. I called them. It’s a pity if something happens here and you cannot even enter the hospital

- Do you have a permit to be here? I called HRM and they told me I need a permit

- How long are you going to be here? If my memory serves me right you’ve been here for weeks. How long is it going to take you to make a difference – a day, a week, months to come?

He kept saying “you guys will not answer me, will you? Ok, if you want, this afternoon is going to be very long and awkward.”

There were passers-by who told him “way to go”, a couple of cars sounded their horns, young fellows took a short video of his sign and ours. He was really excited and counted how many people supported him.

But… We immediately felt God’s presence the moment this young man arrived. In about two-three minutes, another young fellow stopped in front of him waving his bag as his emotions were building up “ why are you being antagonistic?” - he said, “ do you think this is going to work? Is this a smart idea?”

Then a couple of young girls stopped by and talked to us – one of them mentioned that her mother is part of our vigil.

Then there was a true blessing – a young couple with a beautiful baby girl stopped by to show their support to the vigil. They told us that they have been stopping by several times just to support the right cause. The baby’s father finally gave the young man with the sign an answer he was asking for – “abortion is a murder, yes, it is, - he said – I know it, you know it, it is a murder”.

We left at 3 pm.

In Christ, mom, dad, baby, and nana

Insults and Prayer

2011-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Today, three young men were standing at the vigil site with two signs; one read "Honk, if you are pro-choice" and the other "Ignore these idiots".

And they stood right across from the people who were praying, rather than standing to the side as the previous protesters did. One young man kept trying to get the vigil participants to talk with him; he wanted to argue about abortion.

My husband and I went down shortly after 4, because I received a call about these fellows. We tried to talk with them, but one of them was so rude, he kept interrupting whenever we spoke. He showed total ignorance of biology by stating that the fertilized egg is not a member of the human species. Using terms like zygote and embryo and fetus to back up his claim that this living being is not human.

Just because you give it a different name doesn't change the facts. From conception, the new entity has all the genetic material of a human being; it can readily be differentiated from any other species. Scientists know this; for some reason, pro-choice advocates refuse to acknowledge what is basic science.

The offspring of two human beings can't be anything but another human being; that is the fundamental law of genetics; species produce their own. If you choose to call it a zygote or fetus rather than a baby, doesn't change its nature one bit. It is still a member of the human race.

When I asked this young fellow "when did you become a human being?", he replied "at birth". I said "what were you one hour before?" and he replied "a fetus". Surely any rational person can see that is shaky ground, especially when surgeons are performing prenatal surgery on babies in the womb at 24 and 26 weeks gestation. The doctor knows he has two patients: the mom and the baby. And they go to extraordinary lengths to do all sorts of incredible medical procedures on these "wanted" babies. It is just when they are "unwanted" that they get to be called "fetuses".

Dr. Bernard Nathanson, pioneer of abortion rights in the USA, head of the largest abortion clinic in New York City, began to change his mind on abortion when he caught on film an actual abortion. Given the new advances in ultra sound, Nathanson wanted to know what actually happened during an abortion.

By 1984, however, I had begun to ask myself more questions about abortion: What actually goes on in an abortion? I had done many, but abortion is a blind procedure. The doctor does not see what he is doing. He puts an instrument into a uterus and he turns on a motor, and a suction machine goes on and something is vacuumed out; it ends up as a little pile of meat in a gauze bag. I wanted to know what happened, so in 1984 I said to a friend of mine, who was doing 15 or maybe 20 abortions a day, “Look, do me a favor, Jay. Next Saturday, when you are doing all these abortions, put an ultrasound device on the mother and tape it for me”.
He did, and when he looked at the tapes with me in an editing studio, he was so affected that he never did another abortion. I, though I had not done an abortion in five years, was shaken to the very roots of my soul by what I saw…. That is how The Silent Scream came to be made. We showed it for the first time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Jan 3, 1985. The reaction was instantaneous. Everybody was up in arms because The Silent Scream represented an enormous threat to the abortion forces and because it escalated the war. The Silent Scream depicted a 12-week-old fetus being torn to pieces in utero by the combination of suction and crushing instrumentation by the abortionist. The Hand of God, by Bernard Nathanson

Pro-choice supporters have to cling so tightly to their belief that the unborn are not human beings, because if they entertain for one instant, the idea that they might be - what would happen? It must be next to impossible to think that you just might be wrong on this issue, because the repercussions are too terrible to consider. That is why we just pray, because only prayer can change hearts and minds.

Abortion Statistics

2011-10-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

The statistics for 2009 are now available. The total number of abortions recorded in Canada was 93,755. However, private clinics are not obligated to file their numbers with Stats Canada and it is known that the abortion numbers reported for BC are much lower than in actuality.

For Nova Scotia, the number of surgical abortions was 2119. All abortions in Nova Scotia are done in hospitals; none are done in private clinics. The Victoria General does the vast majority of abortions in the province, with a few hundred done in other hospitals in less populated regions.

This number does not take into account the number of medical abortions that are done. According to the website, Abortion in Canada, medical abortions (those initiated by drugs) account for about 3% of all abortions. That figure was for 2004, I think it would probably be higher now.

The numbers still mean that a large classroom of children are aborted at the VG every week. A society that kills its own offspring is committing suicide.

Daily Company

2011-10-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

We now seem to have daily company from two fellows holding signs supporting Pro Choice. Respect Women's Rights, a sign about not forcing someone to carry a pregnancy.

Many passersby give these guys the thumbs up and honks from cars show support for pro-choice. But these guys are not belligerent; in fact, today one of them offered me a cup of coffee that he had extra. People can be decent to one another even when they fundamentally disagree with each other.

But what hit home to me, as I prayed, was the loneliness of Jesus in His passion. The Garden of Gethsemane while the disciples slept, the trial when everyone fled and Peter denied him; the carrying of the cross when people mocked him and only his mother, his mother's sister and the disciple John accompanied him on the way.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. - John 1:3-5

We all think we are right in our beliefs; these young men and those who support them think they are right. We think that we are right. So how do you know where the truth is? It is not relative, there is truth, there is a truth written on the human heart by its creator. And that truth speaks to life, not to death.

Abortion and Breast Cancer

2011-10-26T06:47:00.001-07:00

Michael Coren interviews Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, a breast surgeon from New Jersey.

Women need to know this but they are not being told. And the Canadian Breast Cancer Society refuses to acknowledge this link. This is political correctness at the expense of women's health. As Dr. Lanfranchi says "it is just wrong to keep this information from women."

"For teenagers 18 and under, who had abortions between 9 and 24 weeks, their risk went up 800 percent, which is a huge risk."

You can find out more at this link
Breast Cancer Prevention Institute

Abortion Stats

2011-10-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people are quite unaware of the abortion stats. It might be good to keep these in mind.

1700 abortions per year at the Victoria General Hospital - abortions are done here up to 14 weeks, 3 days gestation from information I have been given

68 abortions performed at the Isaac Walton Killam Hospital, a fact not known to many people. These abortions are mid-term abortions, and are referred to as terminations usually for reasons of "fetal anomaly". That is, the baby has been diagnosed with a condition or conditions that will make for poor quality of life, in the medical professionals' opinion.

It is hard to get one's head around large numbers; it is easier to grasp 35 abortions per week at the VG. Which means 7 per day, if the clinic is operating five days per week. I have been told there are more than that.

When people talk about women's rights and reproductive choice, we need to look at the numbers. These large numbers of abortions mean that one in four pregnancies is aborted. The present generation is missing one-quarter of their numbers. For every three of you under the age of 40, someone is missing. Your brother, your sister, your cousin, gone.

New Opposition

2011-10-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

We are getting some new group opposing our vigil. They are moving in closer and taping signs to the trees above our signs. As they are not loud or obnoxious, we will just let things go as they are. But if they should be disruptive or abusive in any way, not to worry, 911 is on automatic dial. And the police have assured us of their assistance in the case of any trouble.

Pro-choice groups assume that women have abortion as a "right" in Canada. Actually this was never determined by law in Canada; what has happened here is the removal of all restrictions to abortions at any stage of pregnancy. This is not the same thing as stating that women have a "right" to abortion.

Wet Weather

2011-10-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

It has rained a lot during this vigil. Fortunately the temperatures have been moderate, so it is okay. One morning, it was extremely foggy but the light reflected off a new condominium being built and looked quite strange.

40 Days Banquet

2011-10-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

We are holding a dinner to mark this year's vigil. Tickets are $25 each and must be reserved by Tuesday evening, October 24. Don't delay.

40 Days banquet
Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 6 pm
St. Theresa's Church hall, North Street
Tickets $25 each
Catered roast beef dinner (vegetarian option)

The guest speaker is Georges Buscemi, president of Quebec Life Coalition and coordinator of the 40 Days vigil in Montreal and Quebec City.

Positive Feedback

2011-10-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

From people down at the vigil site:

Just a little story from when I was praying last friday: A man walked up to us and said "Blessings to you." Then, after asking us, he prayed for us right there and walked away with another "Blessing to you." It was very encouraging! Just wanted to share! Nicole

Gentle as lambs: This morning a young man (student I assume) stopped to tell us he is praying for us and a young female jogger gave us the thumbs up and a smile as she passed by! So we are making a difference!
Blessings, Ethel

And Marcel was praying last week and reflected that the bike wrapped in rainbow yarn is a sign of God's promise to his people. The purple bike reminds us of the royalty of our God. We can offer prayers for those who put the bikes there. Remember that God redeems everything!

On Friday, Don left a note: "A young girl came by today and stopped and said whenever I see your sign, I am glad. I pray for girls who are living in ignorance, I pray for girls who get raped. Pray for abortion? why not?"

"Engaging" the Pro-Choice Side

2011-10-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Today, there were some young women from the St. Mary's Women Centre passing out their pro-choice flyers. This time, they had some large signs which they propped up against the hospital fence. They were told to remove those signs by the hospital security personnel.

One of our vigilers spent some time talking with these young women. He was not confrontational but he did ask them if they understood what an abortion really was. They replied that it was the "termination of a pregnancy". When he asked, but what really happens in an abortion, they did not reply. How can they? Those who support pro-choice do not display images of the developing fetus on their websites and they never give information about fetal development in their literature. Because that would be too much information.

The reality of the child developing in the womb is not faced sufficiently by the pro-choice side. All their arguments are based on what happens to the woman, her rights, her life. They cannot talk about the other life, the one inside slowly growing in what used to be the safest place in the world, but is now the most dangerous. More dangerous than a battlefield, because a baby's chances of survival in the womb are now only one in three.

Our vigiler left for a while, then returned and offered a DVD to these young women. It is a new DVD just released for countering the pro-abortion position. This 33-minute video is now available to watch online, and it has had over one million views. Take some time and watch it now.

A Quiet Week

2011-10-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

The week started out wet and rainy, but Tuesday brought fine weather with sunshine and mild temperatures. Weatherwise, the week looks pretty good with daytime highs around 13 or 14 degrees Celsius.

The pink double-decker tour bus stops across the street from the vigil. We must be seen by the passengers as they pass by.

The Victoria General Hospital, we stand just on this side of the fence on the public sidewalk.

Friday October 14, Saturday October 15

2011-10-18T08:49:00.001-07:00

Reply to Flyer from Women's Centre at SMU

2011-10-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Some young female students from St. Mary's University Women's Centre have been passing out a flyer to passersby at the vigil site. Father Phil spent some time speaking with the young women and thought they were serious, rational and deserved a response from someone. I'll give it a shot.

Our bodies. Our choice.

The World Health Organization estimates that 20 million of the 42 million pregnancies terminated each year are performed under unsafe conditions. This results in 70,000 deaths every year due to infection, hemorrhages, uterine injury and poisoning from toxins taken to induce abortion.

I am not an expert in stats on abortion around the world, but I post here a link to an excellent article by Fiorella Nash, a researcher who is.

Pro-abortion ideology is costing lives

I am suspicious of the kind of stats that are used to justify the promotion of abortion. As Ms Nash states:

Maternal mortality has been rightly described as 'an international disgrace' but almost as grave a disgrace is the determination by pro-abortion groups to hijack the issue in order to promote abortion around the world. The abortion lobby has a long history of exploiting the suffering of women whilst claiming to act in their best interests. Abortion has nothing to do with saving women's lives. As far back as 1992, a group of Ireland's top obstetricians and gynaecologists signed a letter in which they wrote: "We affirm that there are no medical circumstances justifying direct abortion, that is, no circumstances in which the life of a mother may only be saved by directly terminating the life of her unborn child.”

Countries such as Ireland and Malta where abortion is banned have some of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world. Any medical procedure which involves the ending of one or both human lives involved is by definition unsafe and it is unsafe whether it occurs in Nairobi or New York. The abortion lobby has been very successful in creating a false association between ‘safe’ and ‘legal’ abortion

South Africa, which has had abortion on demand for years, has witnessed a fourfold increase in maternal mortality since a UK-funded abortion organisation set up clinics around that country. As SPUC’s Peter Smith commented: "It is farcical for the government to talk about safe abortions in situations without sterile surgical facilities, safe blood transfusion or emergency back-up. Running abortion clinics in slums, shanty towns and the bush will harm or kill women as well as killing babies."

If this issue truly interests you, please take the time to read Ms Nash's article linked above.

The flyer then states:

Organizations like 40 Days for Life intimidate and shame women who are making an often difficult choice. 40 Days for Life seeks to shut down abortion providers and achieve the "end of abortion in America." These organizations do not recognize the systemic gendered oppression that often contributes to a woman's choice to terminate a pregnancy.

40 Days for Life does not seek to either intimidate or to shame women. We have women amongst our group who have had abortions and know that this choice was neither freeing nor positive for them. They wish that others would not make the same mistake that they did. For many women, abortion is not a free choice, but is rather the only choice they feel they can make. This is largely due to the lack of support from family, friends, and in particular the boyfriend. When women choose abortion because of these kinds of pressure, they actually feel they have no choice. They choose abortion because it frees others from any responsibility for the life they are carrying. We have information on support for women in these situations and we have resources to offer to those who want another choice than abortion and also for those who wish to find help to deal with the abortion they have already had.

The flyer then states:

The support provided to mothers in our society is vastly insufficient. 40 Days for Life is not offering to support these women should they choose to carry their pregnancies to term. They aren't lobbying for livable wages or for adequate social assistance for low-income families. They aren't challenging gendered parenting roles in our society that leave the full responsibility of childcare on women.

As for support to women who wish to carry their baby to term, why not ask us? We have resources to offer to women who need help. As for "lobbying and challenging", no we are not doing those things because we are not a political organization but we can direct you to those who can do those things for you. Our goal is to pray for an end to abortion (who wouldn't want such a thing?) and to raise awareness of the crisis that abortion is bringing about in the lives of women and the damage it is doing to our society. One group does not have the mandate to do all things; we are doing the one we are called to, which is prayer. Those who do not have faith in God and His power to answer prayer will not understand that.

The flyer then goes on to speak against Birthright mainly because it is anti-abortion. "the fetal diagrams and anti-choice literature in their offices make it clear that they do not support a woman's right to choose".

Almost every organization in our society supports the so-called "right to choose". When an organization wishes to support a woman's right to carry her baby to term, why is that a problem? The other organizations are not doing that; surely one organization has that right. Again, it is a matter of belief; we do not believe that "choice" is a value in and by itself. It is what one chooses that makes something good or bad, not the act of choosing by itself. We, and Birthright, hold that the choice to terminate the life of one's child is a poor choice and we wish to provide assistance for those who don't wish to make that choice. There are very few other places that are offering that kind of support to women today.

There is reference to the fact that raising a child is a huge undertaking, something we do not deny.

Birthright does supply clothing for babies up to one year old, this contribution is very small in relation to the enormous physical, emotional, and financial costs of carrying, delivering, and raising a child.

Why is the option of adoption never mentioned? It is puzzling that only 3% of women facing a crisis pregnancy consider adoption. Planned Parenthood has a very low rate for recommending adoption; in fact, their number one line is that abortion is the quickest and easiest solution. For whom? A recent study from England showed that 81% of women who have had abortions will seek psychiatric help related to that abortion. And the rate of substance abuse is much higher amongst women who have had abortions; one study states it can be as much as six times higher than those who do not have abortions. Are women informed of these possible risks when they make that "choice"? Are they informed of the risk of infertility? One in six women in the western world are facing infertility; this is directly linked to previous abortions and to STDs. Are women told of these risks? Why do pro-choicers omit these facts?

The decision to abort a pregnancy or carry it to term is deeply personal, and deeply connected to many intersecting forms of systemic oppression.

The choice to abort is a decision that affects all of us. Women can choose to abort a baby without the father's permission. Young girls of 14 can choose an abortion without parental knowledge. A wife can abort a child and never let her husband know. Is this right?

10% of the current population of Canada has been aborted in the last 40 years. Three and one half million babies aborted in the name of "choice". With our current birth rate of 1.6 children per woman (2.1 is required for mere replacement of a population), this issue does affect us all. It is not a private issue anymore. When we abort the future generation, but still expect our government to provide pensions and health care for all, we are deluding ourselves. Our individual actions affect the rest of society, even those that are considered to be private sexual decisions.

But our first and final response will always be to the title of this flyer:
"Our bodies. Our choice." Every abortion ends the life of a human being. That is why abortion is the wrong choice.

Whose body is this then?

Thank you to city of Halifax

2011-10-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today, someone came along and removed the painted graffiti from the sidewalk at the vigil site. Thank you city workers, for doing this. No one from the vigil asked for this to be done, but someone somewhere decided that the graffiti had to go. And for that, we are grateful.

Photos from the Site

2011-10-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

Comment Policy

2011-10-13T03:27:00.001-07:00

All comments, as long as they do not contain foul or obscene language, will be posted. But only with a name. No anonymous comments will be posted.

Profile of a Family

2011-10-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Let me present to you the Allen family: Sophia 7, Tobias 4, and Victoria 5 (soon to be 6)years old. Three children born within four years space, one with disabilities that many would find daunting. But these have strengthened this family, mom and dad, and all three children. I have witnessed their unity and love as a family. And I think you should get to know them too. Let us celebrate life with them.

Sophia with sister Victoria

Victoria with baby Tobias

Victoria using a walker

Victoria with an inhaler

Sophia, holding Tobias, and Victoria in identical dresses

Tobias is born

Graduation day?

Mother Nel with newborn Victoria

baby Victoria

Victoria in traction after back surgery

Victoria lost her first tooth

From Nel, the mother of these three beautiful children:

BTW, our name is the Allens -the Allen Family.
Many "out there" know us; very many. Perhaps, it'd be better if more did, & I humbly state these last words...
Maybe a whole lot of people out there should, are eager to see "us -" those like us.

Ignorance is our only enemy, I got to believe, therefore the camouflage the enemy uses; so, again, if only they knew!
If only they knew what they imagined what they're depriving themselves from... If only they pictured all they're taking away from those teeny tiny ones -if only they knew... if only we dared join in His perfect plan...

When put to the test He held us strong, honouring that we, whoever we are, whatever our background, we, just like Paul, can do all things in Him who strengthens us! WE... WE: it does not refer to us, grown-ups, educated, willing persons, but to us, humans created to His image, whatever our degree of world-smartness is... need I say, no matter what our size, nor if we're still "in there" or out yet?
...
We're The Allen Family, & thanks to Him, in Whom our trust is placed, we honour Life -& Christian Life is a shared experience -so let's celebrate it like it's worth it, as it is! Let our 40 DFL celebrate, honour Life like we know, beyond futile fights, we're made to His image; like He came to "our place," to even give us more -let's share the best we have, & we'll ever have -let's share & celebrate the Dignity of this Precious Life we're given, again, to His greater Glory, & for the salvation of our souls.

Cheers to 40 DFL, 40 x pretty many...

Nel Allen

Lord of Halifax

2011-10-12T03:17:00.000-07:00

From one of our vigilers:

I have personally sensed this time that God is really calling us to be there to repent and call out for His mercy on our society and specifically on the community of Halifax.
One of the slogans on the sidewalk talks about who is in charge of our city. That is what this is all about: who is Lord of our lives, our communities, our world. And God wants to use us to show who is Lord - in kindness, in meekness, and in His power.
And they know that there is power in what we are doing. Otherwise they wouldn't react this way. So I pray all the more, Lord, reveal your power and set your people free.

Tires Slashed - carry on

2011-10-11T04:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, I went out to the car at 7:30 this morning to go and set up the vigil site. And found the two back tires had been punctured probably by a screwdriver. I know that this is deliberate vandalism by those who want to put an end to our vigil. This has happened to us before, after a March for Life presentation. The back window was smashed.

We will get the tires replaced and we will carry on. Vandalism will not stop the vigil from going forward.

More Reaction to the Vigil

2011-10-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

This year, we seem to be getting much more reaction than in past years. Three times, we have had signs stolen for a total of 5 signs gone. The sidewalk was been stenciled with pro-choice slogans, young women have arrived to hand out flyers that are anti-40 Days. And yesterday, we found two bikes locked to the trees we put our signs on. The bikes have been wrapped with yarn to show that they are definitely "gay" bikes. Our response: simply put our signs where they always were, but now they are right on top of the bikes. We will not be pushed down the block by the nighttime prowlers.

So what is the association between being gay and being pro-choice? At first, it is puzzling because why would this issue even bother gays? Since they don't normally have children, why would the protection of abortion be something on their agenda?

An interesting article by Alissa Golob deals with just this question. I would recommend that you click on this link and read the article, it makes a lot of sense.

Why are there always rainbow flags at pro-abortion rallies?

A few excerpts here:

It’s no coincidence that at this year’s National March for Life in Ottawa, the award for most-“ingenious” sign went to a pair of lesbians, who were ostentatiously showing “affection” holding two different card-board cutouts, one that said “I LOVE SEX” and the other, “I HATE LIFE”. Needless to say they were not there for the speeches. While the intention of this couple was clear, and their execution decidedly pedestrian, it was the actual content of their message that spoke volumes not only for them personally, but for the climate of the opposition.

Practically speaking, the pro-abortion and homosexual camps have far more in common than the multi-coloured condoms they shell out to whoever happens to be caught unaware. It is a well-known fact that the homosexual movement has a record of being staunchly pro-abortion. This includes very close social and political ties with pro-abortion powerhouses, including Planned Parenthood, which often includes financial support as well. It’s no coincidence that many pro-abortion activists advertise their solidarity with gay- friendly groups in an even more overtly public fashion.

An essential component of being pro-life is an openness to life. On an ideological level, homosexuality tends towards being individualistic; in a practical sense, profoundly sterile. Homosexuality uses sex as an instrument for self-gratifying pleasure, and cannot physically be used in the unitive and procreative way it was intended. When couples “mutually masturbate” for their own intensive desire, the procreative element is eliminated, thus becoming an inescapable rejection of life. With the rejection of life, easily comes the destruction of life, making it impossible to negate one without the other. Both camps strive for the acceptance of sex without consequence, thus aligning themselves with like-minded individuals. It’s a match made in heaven.

Re the signs being stolen, they will be replaced as soon as possible. It seems that the sign that really bothers our opponents is the one that says "Pray for an end to abortion".

It is prayer that really bothers them. Therefore we must continue to pray, because it is having an effect. People need to be bothered about abortion, because it is the greatest injustice being perpetrated in the world today. And the root cause of it is sexual immorality, therefore prayer is what is required in order to bring about a reformation of society. This vigil is all about changing hearts, beginning with our own. Does that mean that we become tolerant of immorality? far from. Jesus never tolerated sin, He called people to turn away from sin, because that is the only way they could find true happiness.

Update: I learned today that there were signs attached to said bikes - something about "Reproductive Justice". The woman who set up the site yesterday decided that she should not interfere with them and so she placed our signs further down and left the bikes alone. However shortly after 1 pm, a man on a bike stopped, read the signs, got angry and pulled off the Reproductive Justice signs and rode off. It is always a bonus when someone steps out from the general public and shows us support in ways we don't expect.

Saturday, October 8, 2011 - Day 11

2011-10-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a gorgeous day it turned out to be!

Rhonda praying in the early afternoon

Saturdays seem to be the day of opposition in action. Today, shortly before 1 pm, a young man ran through the vigil site, removed two signs from the trees, threw them into the trunk of a car and took off.
A call to the police didn't seem to get too much action, but what can they do anyway? The felon is long gone, the crime hasn't hurt anyone, and we don't have that much support from the public for this vigil anyway. Count it as part of the offering we make during this vigil.

A young Russian couple came at 2 pm with their 5-month-old daughter Anna. They had come the previous week right after the first sign-incident. The wife said to me - "they really like our signs, don't they? perhaps they are thinking of setting up an auxiliary site." Let's keep our perspective here and humour helps to do that.

These are just signs, they can be replaced. As Father Mark Cherry said, when he arrived, things are heating up because we are in a battle here. One vigil participant was very angry at the young man who had done this, but it is important to remember that they are not our enemies. It is the prince of lies who is our enemy, the deceiver who tricks people into thinking that the solution to a difficult situation is violence against life.

For that is what abortion is: the violent termination of a small human being, because they are inconvenient, an embarrassment, a humiliation, someone who gets in the way of another's life. Our presence on South Park Street is a testimony to the truth that women deserve better than abortion. And women need to know that, no matter what their boyfriends, family, and peers are telling them.

A great video to watch is the story of Julia Holcomb, who was Steven Tyler's girlfriend twenty years ago. Steven has told of the abortion that he took part in, and his going public has brought Julia out because she wanted to set the record straight on this. It is a very moving story of a young girl caught in the lie of choice; abortion was not her choice, it was everyone else's.

Interview with Julia Holcomb, mother of aborted child of Steven Tyler, of Aerosmith fame

There are three videos in the story. Be sure to listen to all three. Takes half an hour, but worth it.

News from the Site

2011-10-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

If anyone has some stories to tell, please send them along. For the most part, things have been quiet down on South Park Street. Although please dress warmly, the weather took a turn for the colder yesterday and it is a chilly place to stand for an hour. Yesterday, I was there from 5 until 6 and was chilled to the bone. It seems that South Park Street is a bit of a wind tunnel and, when you are not walking quickly or moving around, you will get a lot colder than you anticipate.

Two days ago, three young women came to the site to distribute pro-choice literature to passersby. Ethel called me to let me know about this; she said the girls were not disruptive but they did stand right next to the 40 Days vigilers. This would give people the impression that they were with us. A way of manipulating the public, by subtle delusion.

They stayed for about an hour and a half and then left. Yesterday, one young women came by herself. She stood on the other side of the driveway into the parking lot and handed out their flyer. The flyer claims that we are threatening to remove a woman's "right to choose" and then makes claims that 40 Days people don't do anything to help women who choose to carry through with their pregnancy. They go on to diss Birthright, stating that it is strongly anti-abortion and that is, in itself, a denial of women's choice. No mention of the Halifax Pregnancy Centre which is another vital organization that helps women in crisis situations.

What they don't realise is that all of the support in our society is for a woman who chooses abortion. There is very little support for a woman who chooses to carry her baby to term. So, when Birthright (and the Pregnancy Care Centre) are seen as anti-abortion, so what? Do they not have the right to support women with the one choice that is not getting support elsewhere?

If the young women come again, and I am sure they will, do not engage in discussion. It won't achieve anything in the situation there. Communication is encouraged with those who disagree with us, but the vigil site is not the place for that. You can give out my phone number if you wish - 455-3958. Or my email - julieculshaw@ns.sympatico.ca

I am more than happy to discuss with pro-choicers on this issue and am currently having an email conversation of just that sort with a woman who supports "choice".

We have had a couple of young men be more confrontational that these young women. One young man kicked and broke off a sign and another young man stole another sign. This is to be expected. They do not want to talk to anyone; they are simply angry and violent. Stand quietly as this happens; if anything more should happen, call 911 for police assistance. Anything beyond breaking a single sign is assault and should be reported.

So dress warm, pray for sunshine (Lord, we have had enough rain!), keep the faith, and try to smile.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revnege, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for ti is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Vigil Day 6

2011-10-04T03:34:00.000-07:00

After several days of much rain, the sun came out around noon on Monday. A welcome relief for the damp vigilers.

Vigil Day 4

2011-10-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain, rain!

Vigil Day #3

2011-09-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

Some examples of the graffiti that greeted us on Thursday morning. Not too imaginative, is it? Same old stuff.

Trite slogans that are passe since medical science confirms the pro-life position - that the fetus is a unique being with its own DNA. And 50% of the time, that little being is a girl. Does she have any choice? At least feminist Naomi Wolf was honest when she said that pro-choicers must admit that they are killing a human being when they have an abortion. She claimed that it was killing, but that it was necessary. But most women are not comfortable with that truth. This is why our vigil is prayer for the change of hearts; it is hearts that need to be changed on the matter of abortion, because it is hearts that are being broken by abortion.

Karen and Graham at the 1 pm prayer hour

Therese, Luciano and a friend from Antigonish at 5 pm

Glen and Ethel took the 7 pm prayer time

Today, Bernie came to pray. Bernie has come every year to the vigil, dropping in on his way to class over at the Atlantic School of Theology. He told me today a story that he felt might be uplifting. Boy, I'll say.

During last year's vigil, Bernie's son was in class at SMU. A friend of his arrived at class and she was very upset. She told him that she was angry because of the people on South Park Street praying against abortion. Bernie's son quietly said "my dad is one of those people". She then told him she had just found out she was pregnant. I don't know the chain of events, but this girl decided against abortion and she had her baby and is keeping it. We will never know for certain if it was our prayers that changed her mind, but something happened because of the vigil.

And I think the fact that Bernie's son had the courage to say his dad was one of the "religious zealots" out there praying had an effect upon this girl. Suddenly, that group of people, whom she saw as the enemy, had a face - a human face, the face of her friend's dad.

How completely awesome that one man's coming to pray and one man's son having the courage to witness to his dad's witness could lead this girl to forsake the idea of abortion and choose life for her child. The power of prayer and the awesome grace of God.

More from Vigil Day 2

2011-09-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately tonight it began to rain. Not hard driving rain but steady get-you-wet rain.

At around 6:30, a young man crossed the street behind me and I caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye. Something alerted me to the fact that he was up to something. He then picked up speed and ran behind myself and my husband Nick, then kicked one of the signs breaking it off. He ran down the sidewalk, I tried to catch a photo of him but the flash went off in the growing darkness and no image was caught. He yelled the usual expletive at us.

Those who disagree with us so violently cannot talk to us at all. They can only yell and be violent. Doesn't that indicate something? I think it shows that our simply bringing this issue out into public has touched a nerve and they are really angry. Where does the anger come from? It certainly is not rational and does not get the result they want which is for us to go away. My husband noticed that this was an intelligent looking young man, quite likely a university student, whose reaction to us was along the lines of "how neanderthal!" and he lashed out without much control. Yet, we who pray for the end of abortion are convicted of the humanity of the unborn, just as those who are pro-choice think they are not human beings.

The more medical science reveals about the development of the child in the womb, the more our society denies personhood to that child. Almost like a denial of the science.

In contrast to this episode, Ginny had a quiet heartwarming conversation with a passerby. Here is her email to me tonight.

I had a very interesting conversation with a man tonight for about 5 minutes. He was walking by the Vigil at7:30 and stopped to ask me what I was doing. I replied that I was praying to end abortion. This gentleman has Down's Syndrome and required some explanation of the meaning of abortion .I told him that Iwas praying that women would have their babies and not kill them. In the conversation he told me that he was from England and living with his sister in Halifax. He is the second of 6 children in his family.
After he left I was feeling that he is living proof at the Vigil site of why we are praying to end abortion. To be asked by this lovely man why Iwas praying was quite moving. His parents are an inspiration that they chose life and continued to do so by having 4 more children knowing that they had a higher risk of having another Down's Syndrome child. They believed that every life is precious.
He could walk by again and want more information about our Vigil.

Vigil Day 2

2011-09-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

We had some visitors overnight. This morning, there were several stencils in red and black paint such as "40 Days of Bulls..t" and "Feminists rule Halifax". They came under the cover of darkness to write these messages. Last year, I had chalked some Scripture passages on the sidewalk, but upon reflection and with Father Hattie's advice, I stopped doing that. We should not stoop to such tactics, but rather meet the resistance with more prayer and peacefulness.

We should show those who oppose us that they have nothing to fear from us; we only wish their good.

Yesterday, while praying at the site, three young people passed in succession (they were not together, but passed individually). Each of the three said or did something negative; the first saying "you make me sick", the second muttered something at Ethel and me, and the third spat on the sidewalk as he walked past.

I couldn't help but think that they are caught in the web of deceit. Thinking that reproductive freedom or "choice", as the expression goes, will liberate them. Freedom is mistakenly thought to be the ability to do whatever one wants, but true freedom is the ability to do what one knows to be right.

My initial reaction to the slogan "Feminists rule Halifax" was to quip "well not for long, since you aren't reproducing" but I am often unkind. I knew I had read somewhere an article by someone who had once been pro-choice and recounted her change in belief. I tracked it down this afternoon and have quoted from it extensively here. Jennifer Fulwiler has written much more eloquently than I could and she is much kinder too.

I found it really irritating when pro-lifers would refer to abortion as “killing babies.” Obviously, nobody around here is in favor of killing babies – and to imply that those of us who were pro-choice would advocate for that was an insult to the babies throughout history who actually were killed by their insane societies. We weren’t in favor of killing anything. We simply felt like women had the right to stop the growth process of a fetus if she faced an unwanted pregnancy. It was unfortunate, yes, because fetuses had potential to be babies one day. But that was a sacrifice that had to be made in the name of not making women slaves to the trauma of unwanted pregnancies.

I remember one day when my husband was in the middle of reconsidering his own pro-choice ideas, he made a passing remark that stuck with me ever since:

“It just occurred to me that being pro-life is being pro-other people’s-life,” he quipped. “Everyone is pro-their own-life.”

It made me realize that my pro-choice viewpoints were putting me in the position of deciding who was and was not human, and whose lives were worth living. I (along with doctors, the government, or other abortion advocates) decided where to draw this very important line.

I was putting the burden of proof on the fetuses to demonstrate to me that they were human. And I was a tough judge. I found myself looking the other way when I heard that 3D ultrasounds showed “fetuses” touching their faces, smiling and opening their eyes at ages at which I still considered abortion OK. I didn’t have any interest in reading the headlines at Lifesite. Babies — I mean, fetuses — seen yawning at 12 weeks gestation? Involuntary spasm. As modern technology helped fetuses offer me more and more evidence that they were humans too, I would simply move the bar of what I considered human.

I realized that my definition of how and when a fetus became a “baby” or a “person,” when he or she began to have rights, also depended on his or her level of health: the length of time in which I considered it OK to terminate a pregnancy lengthened as the severity of disability increased. Under the premise of wanting to spare the potential child from suffering, I was basically saying that disabled fetuses were less human, had fewer rights, than able-bodied ones. It didn’t sit well.

It took my breath away to witness the level of evil that normal people can fall into supporting. They were talking about infanticide, but completely refused to label it as such. It was when I considered that these were educated, reasonable professionals who were probably not bad people that I realized that evil always works through lies. I also took a mental step back from the entire pro-choice movement. If this is what it meant to be “pro-choice,” I was not pro-choice.

Yet there was something deep down inside, some tremendous pressure that kept me from truly, objectively looking at what was going on here. There was something within me that screamed that to not allow women to have abortions at least in the first trimester would be unfair in the most dire sense of the word.

The message I’d heard loud and clear was that the purpose of sex was for pleasure and bonding, that its potential for creating life was purely tangential, almost to the point of being forgotten about altogether. This mindset laid the foundation of my views on abortion. Because I saw sex as being closed to the possibility to life by default, I thought of pregnancies that weren’t planned as akin to being struck by lightning while walking down the street — something totally unpredictable, undeserved, that happened to people living normal lives.

Being pro-choice for me (and I’d imagine with many others) was actually motivated out of love and caring: I just didn’t want women to have to suffer, to have to devalue themselves by dealing with unwanted pregnancies. Because it was an inherent part of my worldview that everyone except people with “hang-ups” eventually has sex and sex is, under normal circumstances, only about the relationship between the two people involved, I got lured into one of the oldest, biggest, most tempting lies in human history: to dehumanize the enemy. Babies had become the enemy because of their tendencies to pop up and ruin everything; and just as societies are tempted to dehumanize the fellow human beings who are on the other side of the lines in wartime, so had I, and we as a society, dehumanized the enemy of sex.

I didn’t want to hear too much about heartbeats or souls or brain activity…terminating pregnancies just had to be OK, because carrying a baby to term and becoming a parent is a huge deal…and society had made it very clear that sex is not a huge deal.

From my own experience, I knew how the Greeks, the Romans, and people in every other society could put themselves into a mental state that they could leave a newborn child to die: the very real pressures of life — “we can’t afford another baby,” “we can’t have any more girls,” “he wouldn’t have had a good life” — left them susceptible to that oldest of temptations: to dehumanize other human beings. Though the circumstances were different, it was the same process that had happened with me, that happened with the concurring Supreme Court Justices in Stenberg v. Carhart, with the abortion doctors, the entire pro-choice movement, and anyone else who’s ever been tempted to dehumanize inconvenient people.

I bet that as those Greek parents handed over their infants for someone to take away, they remarked on how very unlike their other children these little creatures were: they can’t talk, the can’t sit up, and surely those little yawns and smiles are just involuntary reactions. I bet you anything they referred to these babies with different words than they used to refer to the children they kept. Maybe they called them “fetuses.”

These are only excerpts from the article. It is well worth the read.
Click here to read it in its entirety.

How I Became Pro-Life by Jennifer Fulwiler

40 Days for Life - a peaceful prayer vigil that changes hearts and minds about abortion, beginning with our own.

Vigil Day 1

2011-09-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

And so we begin.

Last night, about 75 people attended the opening prayer service. Scripture was read and prayers were led by Pastors Frank and Susan Willoughby, Pastor Larry and Karen Levy, youth pastor Zach d'Entremont, with a blessing by Archbishop Anthony Mancini. Father Mark Cherry hosted the service at his church of St. Thomas Aquinas and Heather Jansma gave us the psalms in song. Thanks to Judy Savoy, Don and Ethel Ingram for organizing this service.

People brought tons of food to the reception, so much that Don and Ethel filled a box and brought it to Turning Point, a shelter to men who live on the street. Glad to know that food will be eaten by those who really need it, rather than us who just like it. Thank you to those who were generous and brought the great food.

Many spots on the vigil calendar need filling and we need people who can give an hour of their time, regularly on a weekly basis or just once or twice. All time that can be given is appreciated. Please email Anne
at anne.hall@eastlink.ca

Or go the vigil schedule, sign in and put in your own time.

40 Days for Life Halifax

Click on Vigil Schedule, then put in your email address, enter a password and you will be registered. Once you have registered, you can just sign in easily on successive visits. Then click on Fall 2011 and you can scroll through the calendar and see which spots need people to come and pray. Red is desperate, it means no one is there. Yellow is one person there, and green means two or more. Obviously, we want you to take a red spot. And we will provide another person to be there with you.

No one is left alone. "Be not afraid", said Jesus. We are called to this vigil because we stand for those who cannot speak for themselves, the babies in the womb, their mothers, and the medical personnel who are caught in the lie of choice inside the hospital.

We are just ordinary people doing something extraordinary, praying in public for an end to abortion. We are simply answering the call of the Lord.

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Prayer Service Tonight

2011-09-27T04:24:00.000-07:00

The music here is Miserere by Allegri, an Italian composer. It was composed for chanting in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican during Holy Week only. It was forbidden to copy or even write down the music for use elsewhere, punishable by excommunication. The music is not Gregorian chant, as everyone assumes but something called polyphonic chant. Which means simply several voices. Heavenly isn't it?

This is the music that my husband linked to the slide presentation of our first 40 Days vigil. This is now being shown at various churches and events to promote the vigil about to start. It is very moving to see people standing silently praying and having this music of meditation to accompany has the effect of moving people quite dramatically.

We played this before Mass in my church on Sunday and the talking ceased as people watched and you could see their minds and hearts were stirred by the pictures of ordinary people doing something extraordinary - praying in public for the end of abortion.

Won't you join us in the coming weeks and do something extraordinary for God?

Prayer Service

2011-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Next Wednesday, we will begin our fourth vigil here in Halifax. To commence the vigil, we will hold a prayer service on Tuesday, Sept 27 at 7 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, corner of Oxford and Jubilee.

Halifax has seen Christians of all denominations join in the vigil; therefore we are beginning with an inter-denominational prayer service. Catholics and Protestants will join together for a half-hour prayer service, with Scripture readings, prayers, and music sung by Heather Jansma.

After the prayer service, we will have a reception in the hall next door with refreshments. This is the best time to sign up for an hour of prayer, as the team will be on hand with the daily schedules clearly marked so that you can see which hours require people.

All are welcome to attend and please bring a friend of two with you. This would be a good introduction to the 40 Days vigil for someone who is thinking about participating but is not quite sure yet.

We all feel fear when we go to pray outside for the first time, and there is no shame in that. You will be able to find someone else to go with you and overcome the feelings of fear and worry that can overcome one. As Jesus said "do not be afraid", and this vigil is a movement of the Spirit. God is pleased when we shine our light in the darkness that is overtaking our culture.

Information Session a Great Success

2011-09-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

Last night, we held an information session at St. Thomas Aquinas church hall. Many people came out, I am guessing 40 or more, and 1/3 of those were new people coming to find out about 40 Days. Praise the Lord!

We showed a video of pro-life leaders who endorse 40 Days for Life, then followed with the slide show of our first vigil here in Halifax. My husband had put this together from all our photos and added Allegro Misere as the music. It is very moving, as it is completely silent and shows the simplicity of our vigil here. At times, there are two people praying, at other times there are 7 or 8, and the closing shot shows one man all dressed in black praying alone. And always the signs "Praying for an end to abortion". What more can be said?

Because that is precisely what our vigil is, a quiet prayerful presence with the simple reason stated why we are there. As Jesus walked the Way of the Cross, our vigil is an opportunity to accompany him in his walk, enduring the sarcasm and scorn of some passersby, and smiling at those who show they support us. But mostly, just silent prayer as we lift our hearts to God who alone can break the hold that abortion has upon our culture.

I was thrilled to meet two pastors of evangelical churches in Dartmouth who came last night. As one pastor's wife said to me "it is your persistence in calling that brought us here, so don't stop". That was so affirming, and I needed to hear that after a summer of phone calls and visits to churches with very little response. Oh yes, the usual "we will let our congregation know", but no one to really look at this vigil and consider whether or not they should be taking part. But these two pastors heard it and they are going to promote it. Praise God, praise God!

This year, invite someone to come to the prayer service on Tuesday, Sept 27 - someone who hasn't come out to the vigil. A prayer service is not threatening, and you are not even asking them to come to South Park Street to pray. But they may be moved to join us. At least, bring them to the prayer service the night before.

Tuesday, September 27 at 7 pm
St. Thomas Aquinas Church
Oxford and Jubilee

Inter-denominational prayer service; several ministers and priests will be leading us in Scripture and prayer. And music will be provided by Heather Jansma who puts flesh onto the psalms when she sings them.

Come and bring a friend!

Commencing 2011 Fall Vigil

2011-07-12T14:33:00.001-07:00

This is a great video of a talk by Shawn Carney given last year to a group starting up their campaign. It really sets the stage and reminds us of what we are all about when we go publicly out to pray outside the VG hospital.

40 Days for Life Prepares Fall 2010 Campaign from David on Vimeo.

Closing Hours of 40 Days - Sunday October 31

2010-11-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

About 40 people turned out for the closing prayers of 40 Days in Halifax. Thank you to all who came, the weather really cooperated and it was warmish, a little drizzly, but not what they predicted. Thank the Lord for His mercies every day!

Thursday, October 29 - Day 37

2010-10-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, October 27 - Day 36

2010-10-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

This morning, I received an email from Pastor Tim Slauenwhite from Lower Sackville. He wrote in response to the statements made by Ms Linda Yates of the United Church. With his permission, I have posted his comments here. And I thank him for his suppport and encouragement to those who have taken part in the 40 Days vigil.

Hi Julie,

I'm Tim Slauenwhite. I pastor LifeSong Christian Church. I read your article explaining the CKDU interview you were involved with. I found the statements from Ms. Linda Yates of the United church rather disturbing. In the article I read, you had stated how she claimed that the 40 days for life vigil was an 'evil' act and that you do not represent the majority of Christians. I find it interesting that by making such a statement she places herself in the role of speaking for most Christians, a role she does not have nor deserve. The UC has increasingly distanced itself from the tenets of Christian faith that virtually every other Christian denomination stands for and so claiming to speak for Christianity is rather obnoxious.

You had also stated that you thought the churches should speak up about their position so that you could know where we all stand. Let me assure you, that I, and I think I can say all, Pentecostal Assemblies churches are with you. Abortion is an evil of our society and is inherently un-Christian and we stand with you. What you do is admirable. I appreciate your efforts.

My hope is that by writing this email you will know that I stand behind you, as does my church, and that you have my respect. I think God must be very happy with your efforts. Be encouraged.

Your brother in Christ

Rev. Tim Slauenwhite

Tuesday, October 26 - Day 35

2010-10-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Reflection from Zach

2010-10-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

Please note that anonymous comments will not be posted. If you wish to comment, you must identify yourself in some way, other than anonymous.

Written: October 26, 2010

Event occurrence: October 24, 2010

He stopped his bicycle and looked at me. “So what are you doing? You’re not with this [40 Days for Life] are you?” “Yes, I am,” I replied. He continued, “I don’t get it. Why can’t you just let people live their lives? Everyone says that their god is the one and their word is true. Why do you have to come here and impose your beliefs on other people? I don’t get it; why?...” and he continued talking for a while. When he gave me a chance to speak there were many things that I wanted to say, but I knew that it wouldn’t be wise to defend myself; besides, the Father is much more capable of defending than I am! I simply said, “Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m not going to get into an argument, but I appreciate that you were willing to share that with me.” As he started to leave he finished by saying, “I don’t get it. Why?”

I’m glad that he’s asking that question. Had I thought that he was ready to discuss the topic, my answer would have reflected his accusations. “Why can’t you just let people live their lives?” That’s exactly why we’re praying, so that people can have a chance to live their lives. Why are you coming here to “impose your beliefs on others?” Nothing in my interaction with you was an attempt to impose my beliefs on you; rather, you tried to impose your beliefs on me. But the issue at hand is not about our beliefs, but about the right to live.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” –Matthew 5:11-12a

Zachary d’Entremont

Reflections from Nell

2010-10-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

Nell is one of our new prayer vigil-ites. Nell is the mother of three young children, one of whom has severe disabilities. When Nell was 20 weeks pregnant, the routine ultrasound revealed that there were some problems with the baby. She was advised to abort, to which she replied "I am pregnant, I will carry this baby, now what is next?" She has fought every step of the way for this child's life, and continues to fight for medical intervention as required to improve Victoria's life.

Nell was at the vigil when the two ruffians threw the stools into the street and proceeded to break one of the signs. Here are her thoughts on that day:

After quite some reflection on the matter (and may I admit it's just the beginning!) I want to tell you that I totally identify myself with one that can sure take the hit. (I go by the We-can-do-all-things-in-Him-who-strengthens-us principle.)

Keep in mind that just a bit over five years ago, the same type of reality came to strike me while down on a hospital stretcher, with baby Victoria right in front of us (ALL) showing in the screen - yet the "experts" offering termination... God and we know that when choosing life there's no going wrong! All they had in for her was killing her... You bet one can take the hit once the ultimate disrespect to human life, made in the image of the Creator, happened to one personally!

On a related note, and after no second thoughts nor reading between the lines, yet plainly out of hope[against-all-hope?] and faith, I'm now (24 hours after the referred incident,) thrilled to state that there WE were back today, stronger than ever before -and by WE I mean myself and one of the youngest vigil-stander for 40 Days Halifax 2010 -my son Tobias (Tobias is 3 years old)...

"Let your light shine in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" -were we not told to live by truths like that?
No events such as yesterday's took place this PM; but if the couple of persons that approached us in a defiant way tried again, they would certainly have thought twice about it, most probably perplexed at the sight of a wee guy kicking dry leaves and holding on to his Rosary -FOR LIFE!

Monday, October 25 - Day 34

2010-10-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

Want to post a comment? be sure to sign your name, anonymous comments will not be posted.

We had a young couple (with a small baby no less) try to take one of the
signs. I told her (as she was trying to break it in half) that she would be
charged. They then left in a huff mumbling something like "what about rape?"

Other than that, another quiet day at the vigil.

Rape - the one crime where the innocent child pays for the sin of the father.

Our Youngest Vigil-ite

2010-10-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Introducing Talitha - the youngest pro-lifer on the line!

With daddy Lorne

She brought her own baby too

"this box is just the right height for me"

Sunday, October 24 - Day 33

2010-10-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

An absolutely gorgeous day with sunshine and a high of 10 degrees

Even dogs come to join us!

Saturday, October 23 - Day 32

2010-10-23T06:56:00.001-07:00

I just had to have this picture of Mary Therese with her bright orange hat, green coat, and purple mitts, she adds bright colour to the green leaves in the background

Donald, Rita and Martina sharing prayer at 4 pm

Later in the day, around 4:30 pm, two big fellows came down the sidewalk and threw three of our stools into South Park Street. Nell and Tim were there at the time and told them they couldn't do that as it was private property. Then the guys took one of the signs off the tree and bent it in half, taking it away with them.

If the vigil goes on too much longer, we will have no signs left, LOL!

Remember, when we see reactions like this, it means that we are having an effect. Don't be surprised that the effect is unpleasant. When people are confronted with the fact that they may be wrong in thinking that abortion is okay, they have to face the fact that we as Canadians have "done in" 100,000 children per year. Of course, that will bring unpleasant reactions in some people. And remember that Jesus told us to expect persecution.

Friday, October 22 - Day 31

2010-10-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

7 am on Friday morning; the sun does not show up until 7:30 now

Just after sunrise

Coming into the home stretch - dress warm, it is getting really chilly down there. Although this year, the leaves are hanging on, last year they were gone by this time.

Thursday, October 21 - Day 30

2010-10-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

Jim, George and Agnes at 11 am

Jeff Lutes, director of CJLU radio station (Christ Jesus Loves You, 93.9 on the FM dial - great teaching, preaching, and music, check it out)

Tuesday, October 19 - Day 28

2010-10-21T05:33:00.000-07:00

Marie on the left, Vanda and Margo together on the right at 10 am

Dan at 5 pm

I don't know all the names, but they come regularly, thank God!

Rebecca at 4 pm

Father Yves of the Companions of the Cross

Jennifer with her two young daughters come to the vigil; Jennifer is a regular contributor to the blog www.prowomanprolife.org

Katie, our only high school participant

Accusation against 40 Days in Halifax

2010-10-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

This evening around 7:30, I opened my email to find a message from Fr. Hattie asking me what is this about? There was a link to a video entitled "Organizer of 40 Days for Life Halifax assaults pregnant woman" - the clip is 13 seconds long. This is an edited version of a video taken on Day One of the vigil, when we were verbally assaulted by a woman. She had approached Anne and I requesting that we talk with her, and then she became verbally abusive. While she was distracting us, two men cut and stole six of our vigil signs. The woman proceeded to shove her camera in Katie's face and verbally assaulted this 17-year-old girl.

The incident was over in about 5 minutes, and I went to the police station and made a report of it. I was told that the police would be checking on us periodically to make sure that nothing further happened and I was advised to call 911 immediately if any further incidents occurred. This is the video clip that is posted to YouTube.

And here is the link to Judy's report, written on September 22 and posted here on the blog on Sept 23.

Account of first day events by Judy

Let the truth speak for itself. By the way, I have been to the police again and will give them a full report of this in the morning.

Please be on guard against anyone who might be attempting to engage you in something that they can use to defame the vigil. And it is wise to bring a camera with you, and use it if necessary. Cell phones can take pictures too, so find out how to use that function on yours.

Monday, October 18 - Day 27

2010-10-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

This morning, when I arrived to set up, I noticed some marking on the sidewalk. Some objectors to the vigil have painted, not chalked but painted, 40 Days of BS. They spray painted this on the other side of the entrance to the parking lot, not where we hold the vigil. It is as if God is protecting our area, the vigil site is bathed in prayer. Thank you Jesus, for in you, we have the victory!

Nicole from CCO

Nicole, in the background Julie and Connie

The bright faces of CCO - Michelle and Nicole - missionaries to Dalhousie and St. Mary's universities here in Halifax

Paul and Donald late on Monday evening; notice the box of Timbits - a kind man stopped and said that he saw us here all the time and brought us something to eat; he was bringing his wife to work at the hospital. Thanks!

Sunday, October 17 - Day 26

2010-10-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

Today, around 2 pm, several hundred people took part in the Walk to Remember. This is a walk organized by parents who have lost a baby at birth, by miscarriage and due to a fetal anomaly. There were many parents and relatives, and loads of small children in this walk. God bless these parents as they grieve.

Elizabeth, Joanne, and Anne at the 2-3 pm prayer time

David from Endfield and his wife Annette below

I think this is Zach, judging by the crutches underneath his stool

Saturday, October 15 - Day 24

2010-10-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Connie, a regular at 40 Days for Life

Terry and Father Zach from St. Paul's in Herring Cove

Lorne and baby Talitha - she's a regular too!

Caroline, Lorne and Talitha

Close up of the vigil baby

The Saturday 10 am prayer group

Sister Ilaria of the Franciscans and Sister Therese with her back to the camera

Jenna and Patrick - you might recognize him from Life Site News; they leave baby Noah with Jenna's parents while they coame to the vigil

Ed and Pauline, long time pro-lifers, pray together; they just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; Ed and Pauline, great examples of pro-life, have raised ten children

Two sisters from Antigonish brought three teens with them today to pray - wonderful to see people make such an effort and to see youth at the vigil

Friday, October 15 - Day 24

2010-10-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

The morning sky: as the saying goes "red skies in the morning, sailors' warning" - the day turned out wet and wild

However, the skies closed at 4 pm and the evening turned out rather nice and warm-ish

Tony, Ellen's husband

Stanko and Marinko, father and son, at the site

A record - five men and one woman at the 4-5 pm slot

Thursday, October 13 Photos

2010-10-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

Sister Angela wrapping up in the cold

Judy tucked in under the tree

Katie, only the young would sit on the ground like this!

Ellen, long-time veteran of the pro-life movement; she comes daily for one to two hours of prayer

A group of people come up from Bridgewater every Thursday and spend two hours at the vigil site; thanks to Sandy and Kay who bring the group weekly

Great to see so many people at one time!

2010-10-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Friar Augustine shares his abortion story. Our guest speaker, Angelina Steenstra, is the Canadian director of Silent No More Awareness. Don't miss her story of abortion and healing at our closing banquet on Saturday November 6.

For tickets, contact myself at 455-3958 or Anne at 422-7931.
By email, julieculshaw@ns.sympatico.ca
anne.hall@eastlink.ca

Tickets are $25 each and must be paid for by November 1. No tickets will be reserved for pick up at the door. They must be booked and paid for by November 1. Sorry, no exceptions. Please don't risk being disappointed by delaying past the deadline.

Wednesday, October 13 - Day 22

2010-10-14T07:02:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, October 12 - Day 21

2010-10-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Shortly after 7 am, the sunrise lights up the front of the Victoria General Hospital. The light is particularly gorgeous at this time of day.

Looking down South Park Street toward University Avenue. A new highrise building of condominiums is being constructed on the right.

When I arrived at 4 pm, I noticed quite a few people at the site. Pastor Frank Willoughby and his crew from City Heights were there (faithfully coming every week - thank you City Heights), as well as a couple that I did not recognize. When I checked the book, I noticed that someone had written their names and underneath they wrote "parents of 10 children over from PEI, we don't have abortions there, but we still pray". I introduced myself to the couple when I realised this must be the PEI couple and they are Louis and Brenda. Louis is in town on business and Brenda came with him; they knew of 40 Days and came to spend two hours there this afternoon. Their children range from 37 years old to 13, and Sarah their youngest has Down syndrome. Brenda said she is a joy to their family, she is in grade six and working through school at her own speed. Two of the older childen were at home, keeping things running smoothly until mom and dad return tomorrow. Thank you, Louis and Brenda, for coming to join us.

Also, shortly after I got there, a car pulled up and I saw a nun get out followed by a second nun. Hey, it was my daughter Sister Ilaria and Sister Therese of the Franciscans of Halifax. They had been at the hospital where Sister Therese was getting a test done, and they dropped by on the off chance that I might be there. What a pleasant surprise to meet my baby girl on the street! Wish I had taken a picture. But I did find one on their website.

Katherine came at 6 pm, with three of her eight grandchildren. She was hoping to say the rosary with them, but they seemed a little hyper when I was there! Perhaps after some high kicks and jumping at tree branches, they will pray with their nan! Also with Katherine and the children is Mary from St. Peter's Church.

Katherine's license plate says it all.

The last of the fall flowers, purple asters outside the basilica in the late afternoon.

Thanksgiving Day Photos

2010-10-14T06:56:00.001-07:00

2010-10-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

Today marks the half way mark of the 40-day vigil, well almost halfway, it is actually tomorrow that is half way but we are close enough. We had hot chocolate and TimBits available for anyone who dropped by. About ten people came between 2 and 4 to share the time and to pray together and chat with one another.

We were joined by a young lady shortly after two who began passing out leaflets that were entitled 10 Lies that Anti-Choice People Tell You or something to that effect.
Ethel offered her a cup of hot chocolate, as she wasn't dressed very warmly for the cool temperature but she declined saying that she was eliminating sugar from her diet. Not a bad thing to do, my own daughter does this with herself and her children.

Michelle, one of our prayer vigilants and a member of CCO, a Catholic evangelising team that works at Dalhousie and St. Mary's University, went over to speak with the young woman. They had a quiet conversation in which Michelle learned that this girl and half of her friends had had abortions. For those who don't really understand the extent of the abortion dilemma, you need to come to grips with this. This is affecting so many young women and that means it affects all of us in some way. Not only does this woman not have her child, her parents do not have their grandchild, society is bereft of a person whose potential we will never know, and the line of posterity has been broken. It is not just one child that is aborted, it is an entire family tree.

Several other people came to join this young girl, and they were quiet and respectful. They did not try to aggravate us, they simply stood a few feet away holding their signs and chatting with Michelle and one another. After a while, they left as they were really getting quite chilled.

A couple of us were talking after about this and we agreed that this had been a real break-through. Rather than standing on both of our sides, we had extended a hand towards these young people and they had responded quietly and with respect. As Ethel said, "they are really very sweet". Michelle hopes that the young girl will drop by later this week and she will have some information for her on Project Rachel.
One woman with us said that, when she first arrived in Canada from Holland, she wanted to run a Bible study through her church. She had done this previously and the studies were always mixed with both men and women. But she felt the Lord told her to offer one for just women. So she did, and after she found out why: 2/3 of the women who came had had abortions and they ended up sharing their pain with one another and began a healing journey. We must not underestimate just how widespread abortion is. If 1700 abortions are performed each year at the Victoria General, it is pretty obvious that people in your own circle of friends and acquaintances have had abortions or have been involved in abortion.

We ignore this at our peril. Abortion is an evil that is undermining the very structure of our society and it is destroying the lives of the children who are aborted and it is destroying the souls of the women and men who have aborted them.
Let us realise that we must reach out to these people with love and compassion; Our Lord Jesus Christ died for all of us, not just we who recognize His love, but all of us, even those with whom we don't want to have any relationship. But He has told us to show that love to the world, so that they may know that He has come from the Father with life for all who will listen. Amen.

Saturday, October 9 - Day 18

2010-10-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

Today around 5 pm, three of us were praying at the vigil site. Connie was at the far end, reading from a prayer book, and Father Hattie and I were standing closer to the parking lot entrance. Father was reading from his Breviary and I was praying a rosary with my eyes closed. Then I heard a voice softly say "absolutely right". I looked to see a young woman, pushing a toddler in a stroller. She smiled at Father Hattie and myself, and said "I am not married, but I would never consider abortion." As she put her hand out to touch her little boy, she said "and I love him more than anything."

We felt completely blessed by this young mother's words. That is what it is all about - the love of a mother for her child. That is what those who have abortions get ripped from their hearts - the chance to love their child. God bless that young woman; Father and I prayed for her and her little boy, and Lord I also ask that you would bring a good man into her life, one who would become her husband and father to that little family.

Pictures from Friday, October 8

2010-10-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

More from Dalhousie Gazette

2010-10-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I printed in entirety an article in the Dalhousie Gazette. Today, I will just print excerpts from a letter from the editor in the same newspaper.
The majority of the article deals with the perceived threat of a new pro-life group at Dal and the fear that this group might bring in the Genocide Awareness Project or host a speaker such as Jojo Ruba. I would like to point out an error in the editor's conclusion that the majority of Canadians support legal abortion; she draws as evidence for her conclusion the fact that Jojo Ruba was shouted down by pro-choice protestors at his talk. Yes, he was, but the actual facts were that there were eight extremely loud and rude people who entered the room where Ruba was speaking, interrupted his talk, chanted and heckled for 45 minutes straight, and security did nothing to stop them. Ruba barely got more than one sentence out before they began. This does not show that the majority of people disagree with Ruba's position; the majority in that room were actually sitting quietly waiting for Ruba to begin his presentation; what it does show is that extreme pro-choice supporters cannot allow others to express their opinion. And from that, other conclusions should be drawn.

The other piece of evidence Toth uses to support her theory that most Canadians support legal abortion is the fact that there are not that many people showing up at the 40 Days vigil. Little does she know that there are actually over 150 people coming regularly to pray at the site; the fact that she only sees a few at any one time is the simple math: the number of supporters divided by the number of hours. The young woman who came to oppose us in the first hour came alone; and she was gone after two hours. In fact, the opposition cannot remain for any length of time and they can't get many people to join them.

That said, I would like to quote what Toth had to say about the 40 Days vigil:

So what happens when we see people using those freedoms to harass or intimidate others? This month, men and women will be standing outside of the Victoria General Hospital, where the majority of therapeutic abortions in Nova Scotia are performed, to mount an event called “40 Days for Life.” Their event of prayer and anti-choice mobilising is comprised mostly of protesters staring and praying silently in the direction of the hospital. The silent eyes of these protesters watch each individual as they pass by, ripping people of any sense of comfort, dignity or privacy, whether they are entering the hospital for a brain scan or a new cast for their wrist...

As journalists who notice anti-choice action on campus, our task within the upcoming months will be to record what happens, fairly and objectively. It will be our job to let no harassment— be it verbal, physical, or visual—go unseen or unchallenged by a fair and accurate press.

Apparently, even our standing silently is seen as harrassment by these students. So vigil participants, here are the rules: avoid eye-contact, say nothing, and pray silently. It seems that our very presence is disturbing people. And isn't that we were told to expect? So do not be surprised, and do not be afraid. God wants to disturb the status quo here, because we are not talking about differences in ideology, we are talking about bloodshed. We are not talking about differences of opinion, we are talking about life and death. Of course, it is disturbing.

Friday, October 8 - Day 17

2010-10-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, October 6

2010-10-07T16:41:00.001-07:00

Sister Vita praying at 7 am every Wednesday morning

The Victoria General Hospital across the parking lot

Looking through the fence

Article in The Gazette, student newspaper of Dalhousie University, Oct 7, 2010

Anti-choice gives religion a bad name, says minister
-by Laura Conrad and Mick Cote

From Sept 22 to Oct 31, protesters taking part in the 40 Days for Life religious campaign will be quietly praying and fasting to end abortion.
The different chapters worldwide started their campaigns at the same time. They aim to raise awareness on abortion, while peacefully protesting the practice. The Halifax branch of the group will be protesting outside of the Victoria General Hospital, the only hospital in Halifax that provides the service, in front of the South Park Street entrance.
The campaign consists of three different components - prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. Julie Culshaw, who is part of the 40 Days for Life leadership team, says that she is very passionate about advocating for pro-life.
"About four years ago, I saw a video of an abortion taking place. The reality of it really hit me," she says. "This is the greatest social injusstice of our time, that people are denied a right to life. If you don't have a right to life, then you don't have any rights at all."
Culshaw explains that this is the third year that the event has been in Halifax. Although she says it's impossible to measure the effect of their efforts, she believes in the power of prayer.
"This will be over once we all realise how great of an injustice it is," she says. "The truth will always come through in the end."

There were also counter-protesters present on the first day of 40 Days for Life. Nicholas (last name withheld) showed up alone.
"There should be more than just one voice here," she says."I'm doing this so that women will know they are loved, and that they don't have to deal with this bullshit."
As people prayed while pacing or sitting quietly on the sidewalk, Nicholas, a self-proclaimed anarchist, chanted alone, obliterating the low mumbles of the pro-life protesters.
"My body's nobody's body but mine," she sang. "A woman dies every eight minutes because she doesn't have the right to proper abortion practices."
Linda Yates, a minister at the Windsor Street United Church, says that anti-choice groups don't represent the full spectrum of Christian expression. Yates says that not all religious groups are anti-choice.
"There is actually a great deal of pro-choice thought within religious groups," she says. "There is a lot of diversity of opinion. When you only see one-sided opinions, it not only reflects badly on religion but is also inaccurate."
Yates also believes in the power of prayer, but does so from a pro-choice perspective.
"There are different ways of thinking about abortion that are also very faithful," she says. "We pray for the women who have to make these difficult choices. We pray for their safety. We can trust women to make their own decisions about their bodies."
Yates is opposed to the 40 Days for Life Campaign, and says it can be considered as a form of harassment to women.
"After undergoing all kinds of internal thought about abortion, women don't need harassment on top of what is already a personal and difficult experience in their lives."
Culshaw, however disagrees. She believes that pro-life is the only way of thinking when it comes to being a Christian.
"I would say you cannot be a Christian and be pro-life," (mistake, author should have written pro-life) she says.
"To say that you are pro-choice, when you know that God entered the world through the process of pregnancy and birth, is a contradiction."
Despite the controversy, the Victoria General's media advisor John Gillis says he does not foresee issues arising with patients.
"In past years, there were problems with staff and patients getting upset," he said. "But the programs will continue as usual, and this will have no affect(spelling error) on people coming in and out."

Barbara Lock, RIP

2010-10-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

The painting above hangs at the Newman Centre on Coburg Road. It was given to the chaplain at Dalhousie University by Barbara Lock. Barb painted this from a photo taken during our first vigil in 2008. She saw the photo of Jimi, Liz and Daniel and loved it so much that she did it in oils. She offered it to me at the end of the vigil but I said that it shouldn't be hanging in my house where only family and close friends would see it. And I suggested that she offer it to the Newman Center, which is also the home for Catholic Christian Outreach.

Barb died on Saturday after a battle with lung cancer which spread to her bones. She was only 57 years old and leaves behind her husband Tony and three adult children. Our condolences to Barb's family and friends upon their loss.

Barb's funeral is Thursday, October 7 at 2 pm at Stone Ridge Fellowship in Lower Sackville. All are welcome and if you have a painting by Barb, please bring it to show at the reception to follow the service.

Barb was a quiet and gentle woman, so faithful to prayer. She came faithfully to the prayer vigil in both 2008 and 2009 and apologized that she was not well enough to join us this fall. She is interceding now from heaven for the babies and mothers who are victims to abortion. May Barb be experiencing the loving embrace of Jesus forever more!

Monday, October 4 - Day 13

2010-10-04T07:39:00.003-07:00

Nona at prayer between 9 and 10 am

A regular passerby stops with his dog Lady to say a prayer

Terese and Mildred, old friends from St. Benedict's parish

The police called this morning just to check if we had had any further trouble at the site. Yesterday, I noticed that the police were on hand during the entire Life Chain and told two protestors that they would have to move to the other side of the street. The metro police have been cooperative this year, with no hesitation to assist us if needed. And the constable this morning told me to call at the first sign of a disturbance and they will send a cruiser around. If a certain protestor reads this blog, he might want to take note of that; his own connection to the police might make that situation a little uncomfortable for all concerned.

Day 11 - Saturday, October 2, 2010

2010-10-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the rainiest day we have had so far

But still we had several people per hour

A man stopped to discuss his girlfriend's abortion and what he could have done differently

Focused on prayer despite the weather

Day 10 - Friday, October 1, 2010

2010-10-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Photos from Ellen

Day 10 - October 1, 2010

2010-10-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

I am your creator; you were in my care even before you were born. Isaiah 44:2

Wow, day 10 and the vigil spots are filling up. We don't seem to have more people than last year, and yet for some reason, the schedule is filling up better. Thank you to all who have come down, signed up, or just dropped by to pray. It's looking very good!

And today, a young student from Kings College phoned and requested an interview; he has a short spot on CKDU radio at Dalhousie and wanted to give some time to the 40 Days vigil. The young man, Alex, came down to the vigil site today shortly after 1 pm and what a nice young man he is. He asked good questions, and hopefully I gave him some good answers. Some of the questions he asked were: how many times have we held the vigil here in Halifax; what is the reaction of the public to the vigil; do you have more people taking part this year than last; why are you personally involved in this vigil; what effect do you think you are having on the situation. And, at the end, he asked me if I had anything I would like to say. I told him that two women have expressed that they feel we are hurting women by holding this vigil in public. I told Alex that I wanted to tell women who pass by that

....we are not judging you. We would like to help you if you have been affected by abortion. If you are pregnant, we would like to help you; please just ask. If you have had an abortion and are feeling badly about it, please speak with us; there are resources available for both women who find themselves pregnant and for women who have had an abortion and are suffering after it.

So, those who attend the vigil to pray, please look in the small green box at the site. There are some business cards there with the contact information for the Pregnancy Care Centre, Birthright, and Project Rachel. If someone should ask you what we are doing to help women, give them a card. While we cannot do much right there at the site, we can direct them to the resources here in Halifax that exist just to help women who find themselves in need.

The weather is holding up beautifully for us in this vigil. I think we have only had rain on one day so far. Yesterday and today are both warm and humid, but there is plenty of cloud cover so that you don't feel too hot on the street there. Tomorrow there is rain in the forecast, but the next four days after that should be pleasant and sunny. Let's hope this continues.

Re: Comments

2010-09-30T02:40:00.001-07:00

As the initiator of this blog, I have made myself completely transparent. Everyone knows my name and the city in which I live. I have laid myself open to anyone who wishes to contact me.

Therefore I would merely ask that those who wish to leave a comment would sign their first name. No anonymous comments will be posted. If you do not have the courage to sign one name, your comment will never appear.

Pictures from Wednesday, September 29

2010-09-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

Trudy's Story

2010-09-29T11:35:00.001-07:00

Today, I want to tell you about one of our vigil participants, Trudy. Trudy has come to every 40 Days vigil faithfully and her story is worth telling. I think you will agree with me.

Here are Trudy's own words:

Saturday morning, I was planning my day and I thought “what’s wrong with me? I can do everything but I can’t get to the vigil. The lady who drove me last year can’t go this year. My first thought was “oh good, I can’t go.” Then I thought “what’s wrong with me? I can take a cab.”

Then I thought this is such a nice way to get there, the cab is always there, he drops me right where I need to be, there is no problem parking. I was a little apprehensive at first, but the driver just made a U-turn and I told him where I wanted to be dropped off. I made the arrangement with Casino in the morning and told them when I wanted to be picked up and it worked wonderfully. Now I feel good about next week, I will just phone Casino again and they will just do the same thing. I feel spoiled. So many people don’t want to take a cab.

Trudy continues:

I was amazed because I didn’t expect anyone to be there from 2-3 pm on Tuesday. At 1pm, there was one person there, but when I went, there were two people there. And more arrived. We had a man who came begging for food and we told him where to go to get some help.

“I am glad that it is going well. I’m not doing anything that the others don’t do, I am not doing anything special.”

Now, you have to realize that Trudy is 90 years old, lives alone, and she suffers from macular degeneration and glaucoma; in other words, Trudy is legally blind. “I feel very blessed with all the things I can do,” were Trudy’s parting words.

Wednesday, Sept 28 - Day 8

2010-09-29T11:27:00.001-07:00

Sign from the Knights of Columbus

The Wednesday morning Rosary walk

Second group in the Rosary walk

Sidewalk message with abortion stats:
6+ per day
35+ per week
1700+ per year
<<<<< here

Most people have no idea of the number of abortions done at the VG hospital; they need to know. Thirty-five babies aborted weekly, that is equivalent to a classroom and a half in today's schools. Meanwhile, schools are suffering from declining enrollment, teachers are being pensioned off and not replaced, schools are being torn down or used for other purposes than education; Nova Scotia is welcoming immigrants because we don't have enough people here; we soon won't be able to sustain our health care system because we don't have enough tax-payers; and yet, the politicians refuse to connect the dots.

People need to know the truth. People deserve to know the truth. Abortion hurts everyone.

Day 7 - September 27, 2010

2010-09-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, we have completed one week of the vigil. We made it! Amazing considering that we don't have the numbers that other vigil sites have, people have been so generous in giving of their time. A big thank you to everyone who has come down to pray with us.

Hughina reading her prayer book in the early morning dark at 7 am

Creusa and Ginny praying together shortly after 7 am

Hey, can any of you relate to this … "I don’t have time to pray"?

Oh sure I go to daily mass, but I mean really spending time praying – like hard core - deep in praise and worship - totally focused on our Lord – kind-of praying!

Well thanks to 40 Days for Life I have been drawn into a deeper, closer relationship with my Lord. I go over to the vigil site every day, spend an hour or more in quiet prayer, and oh what a feeling ... totally relaxed, full of peace and overwhelmed by His grace. Sometimes I feel like I’m floating on air. I most often regret leaving to go back home to my busy life again.

God has called me and all of us to pray. And I’m standing on holy ground in front of that killing centre, the V.G. Hospital, praying for the souls of all the babies that have been brutally aborted, for their moms, dads and all others who are caught up in this schizophrenic-culture of death-world.

So, if you’re like me and need a little quiet time, and want to take a stand for life, why not come on over and join with others in this peaceful, prayerful event?

You’ll be glad you did! God bless, Ellen Chesal

NIghtfall Day 6

2010-09-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Donald, a veteran of the Halifax vigil

Michelle from CCO with three friends

Day 6 - Monday, September 27

2010-09-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

Therese praying a rosary and reading the sidewalk Scripture passages

A well-used prayer book and Bible

Ellen meets some friends while at the site
They asked is this what you do with your time? her reply "well for the month of October, it is."

Katherine, one of the vigil participants, told me that last Friday they were harrassed for 50 minutes by three young people who were loud and noisy. They had a sign that said "365 days for choice". This must be the same ones who came at the end of last year's vigil. They put their sign on the fence, something that is not allowed. The fence is hospital property.

If you run into something like this, and there are protestors who arrive and are noisy and threatening, call hospital security at 473-2230. Unless someone is actually physically threatening you or being really verbally abusive, I don't think we should call the police. Although the police have told me that if we feel at all threatened, we are to call 911 immediately. But these protestors have every right to be there, just as we do. But they do not have the right to stand on or use hospital property. The grass right by the fence and the fence itself is hospital property, so if they show up and stand there, feel free to call security and they will be told to move away.

Remember not to reply in kind, but maintain quiet. Nothing defuses a protestor more than getting no reaction. There is no point in their staying. If you respond, they will simply increase their noise and protest, so remain quiet and pray even more.
Be not afraid. We are serving the highest authority, God Himself, and He is protecting us.

Day 5 - Sunday September 26

2010-09-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Vigil participants walking up and down while praying

Katherine wears the 40 Days t-shirt from year one

A lovely afternoon with sun - quiet day at the vigil site

Day Four - September 25

2010-09-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

No post for yesterday, but I must note that there were 13 people at the vigil site when I came at 8 to pick up the signs and stools. Five in a circle praying the Rosary, three in another group praying, and several individuals praying in the dark, bearing witness for life. What a heart-warming sight to see!

Saturday morning vigil-ites, Margaret and June from St. Clement's parish in Dartmouth, reading Scripture. We were joined at 10 by Fr. Zack of St. Paul's Herring Cove and Lorne from Catholic Christian Outreach and Mary Therese from St. Peter's Parish Ketch Harbour. The day promises to be lovely and warm, high of 25 degrees this afternoon. Days like this make being outside praying so much easier.

Taking a leaf from our opposition - and using sidewalk chalk to make our own free signs.
This one reads

I set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life, that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

And a second reads

Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matthew 18:14

The second doesn't directly speak to the unborn child, but the context of the Scripture is that God cares about every little thing in the universe; the verse before says that he even knows the number of hairs on your head. So we can conclude that the developing child in its mother's womb is certainly in God's heart and mind too.

I noticed that people slowed to read the sidewalk verses; one girl smiled and said hello as she passed, another man greeted us as well. We never know what avenue of grace God can use to touch a heart.

Day Two - September 23, 2010

2010-09-24T08:10:00.001-07:00

Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, NS, the site of 1700 abortions annually

This year, our signs are bilingual - English and Mandarin, translated by Pastor Daniel Ting of the Chinese Alliance Church

Today was a quiet day, after yesterday's fiasco. Since the hospital commissionaire informed the young pro-choice man that he could not stand against the fence but would have to stand with us, I guess that defused their protest. It took the oomph out of their demonstration.

1 pm on Tuesday afternoon, a group from Bridgewater comes to pray for an hour

Natalie and Rhonda at 6 pm

Natalie and Julie

When I returned to the site at 8 pm to pick up the signs and stools, there were 7 people there praying! Eric, from CCO and he was joined by three university students who happened to pass by and stayed, Fr. Hattie, Mark and Donald

Mark wrote in the log book that a man had passed him earlier and spat at him (missed) and that he then swore profusely. I wouldn't advise anyone messing with Mark, he is a big strong man, and you won't win that altercation, LOL. Too bad Mark hadn't been there when the thieves came for the signs, because it just wouldn't have happened, they would have been too scared. I feel safe when Mark is around.

First Day Events

2010-09-22T14:43:00.001-07:00

A lot happened today at the vigil site, and one of the participants wrote it up and sent it to me by email. So I am posting her account here.

Today, the first day of the Vigil, I arrived for my 3PM time slot to find a young man holding a sign that said "Pro-Woman, Pro-Child, Pro-Choice", another young man, and a young woman with a movie camera in her hand yelling at Julie, who had to keep backing up because this woman was practically on top of her. Her language
was obscene and abusive. She was so full of anger and hatred.

The sidewalk was covered in ProAbortion slogans....done in colored chalk.
One of the men then took 2 signs, all the while yelling.
Julie told me that they'd been taking shifts since 7am
She also said that the young woman asked to talk with her, so Julie agreed.
The young woman did want to talk, but she had no intention of letting Julie talk.

I suggested we let them take the signs, and anything else.
And from now on.........we stay silent. Jesus was led away like a lamb to the slaughter.
He did not argue his position or defend it. He said nothing.
And from the cross He said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

These young people have never heard anything but what their baby boomer parents
have told them and what the media dispenses 24/7.
They say they believe in free speech but they do not.
They say they believe we have a right to our own opinions, but they do not.
And I understand why, and I understand their anger.
If they are told from childhood that denying women their right to an abortion is a crime against humanity and that women are dying because of botched illegal abortions, and that Christians kill abortionists and hate homosexuals, and all manner of evil things, it is no wonder they cannot even imagine that there is another side.
Jews and Blacks have lived with this their whole lives.......hated for their religion and their colour.
We are the new scapegoat for all that is wrong in the world. Remember John Lennon's song IMAGINE
"Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try. Nothing to kill or die for....and no religion too."
So who will show them the whole truth? Who will show them Jesus, who did not come to speak the truth but IS the truth.
This is a wonderful opportunity we have........to remain silent, to love our enemies.
Let them steal our signs. Our very presence, sitting, standing or kneeling in silent prayer...............
says it all. "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do
not know the one who sent me."....John 15
But.........if you feel threatened in any way.......call the police. Verbal assault is still assault.
For the love of Christ,
Judy

Day One - September 22, 2010

2010-09-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Great weather, the day promises to be sunny and warmer by afternoon. Fortunately for 40 Days participants, the fall season is the best weather in Halifax, so it is not that hard to come out and pray for an hour.

We were greeted this morning by sidewalk messages that had been chalked in the night. Those who wrote this must have thought we were going to be in the same area as last year, but they figured wrong and the messages are not in our spot. They do provide a lead-up for passersby who are approaching us and lets them know something is up, before they actually see our signs.

Four people arrived at 7 am to pray, and we were joined at around 7:30 am by a young woman who took her place right across from us with a sign that said "pro life is a lie, they don't care if women die." After about half an hour by herself (and looking anxiously down the sidewalk as if waiting for others to come and support her) she began changing slogans at us. The usual "get your rosaries off our ovaries", "my body, my choice", etc.

You have to admit, this young woman had guts to do that solo. A young man stopped to talk with her and I overheard her say, that they were taking three-hour shifts throughout the day. We shall see how long they last. Last year, they only lasted about half an hour, even though their signs said 365 days for choice.

God's people have the stamina to stick it out. But more than that, we have God's grace carrying us through. When you have come to know the truth, you must stand for it, in the face of all adversity. And remember that Jesus went to the Cross before us.

The 40 Days vigil resembles the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Alone, praying, Jesus spent the night with his Father, while his friends slept. And in the morning, the enemy came to arrest him and his followers fled. We are not going to the Cross as Jesus did, but we are facing persecution on South Park Street, and it is our duty to stand there as peaceful witnesses to the Gospel of Life, even though the world may jeer at us and mock us. Let us continue to ask God to pour out his mercy on all those who have been blinded by evil one, who deals out death to those he can trap.

On a brighter note, a young man had contacted me a few days ago and requested that I give him an interview when the vigil began. He is studying film at NSCAAD and he was doing a project that documents protests and demonstrations. I told him that this was not a protest, but a prayer vigil and that is something quite different. And I invited him to come down early on the first morning if he wanted to catch me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he took me up on that offer, he arrived with another student who had a camera, and then he asked me some questions. This young fellow, Alex, had prepared himself well. He knew about pro-life campaigns in the past, he asked me how this compared to Show the Truth, a campaign in which graphic photos are displayed. His questions were researched well, they showed that he had done his homework, and he definitely showed a sympathy for the pro-life side. God bless Alex, I wonder if his profs will accept his project, given that it didn't favour pro-choice. All of these are reasons to continue praying and asking God for his mercy on this twisted culture of ours.

And so we begin ....

2010-09-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

Last evening, Tuesday Sept 21, we began our 40 Days for Life prayer vigil here in Halifax with an inter-denominational prayer service at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
The hour service was awesome, we were joined by Paul Tonen, an elder from City Heights Church, Pastor Frank Willoughby of City Heights Church, AJ Thomas from Deep Water Church, Ann Mott of First Congregational Church and chair of the Pregnancy Care Centre, Father Mark Cherry of St. Thomas Aquinas/Canadian Martyrs Church, Father Phil Thibodeau of St. Theresa's/St. Catherine's Church, and Father Joe Hattie of the Archdiocesan Center and our spiritual advisor for this vigil.

Father Mark Cherry

Powerful readings were taken from both Old and New Testaments and the pastors were asked to pray for one specific reading. We moved from the gentle passages of Psalm 139:13-16 and Ephesians 3:14-17 to the prophetic passages of John 15:18-21, Proverbs 24:10-12, and Ephesians 6:10-18. Great music was provided by Heather Jansma and the band from LifeTeen. At the end of the service, Father Hattie gave a final blessing to all participating in the vigil, and then Father Mark Cherry asked all the pastors and priests to come forward and pray over the organizing team. They prayed for us to be strong, courageous, to overcome fear, and to go forth in love.

Participants signing up for vigil times

reception in the hall after the service

even a broken leg won't stop this lad

what's a good time without food?

One Reason Why We Need to Pray

2010-09-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

My alcohol consumption increased almost 1000 fold in the year following the abortion ... sometimes all it take is one person speaking truthfully to give other people the freedom to do the same thing. I think about my baby every day...

h/t Unmasking Choice

Abortion is the Hot Issue

2010-09-14T16:46:00.001-07:00

No other issue gets the reaction that abortion does. Speak out about abortion, even mention the A-word, and you can expect a quick and often fierce reaction.

In Halifax, Veritas Catholic bookstore has been the subject of recent vandalism, notably aimed at pro-life posters, natural family planning, and post-abortion healing.

Vandalised Catholic Bookstore Ups Pro-Life Efforts

With the third 40 Days for Life vigil set to start in just over a week, I guess we can expect to see some reaction this time around. Last year, we got some flack from protestors about half-way through the vigil. It coincided with the very night that a young woman came to Halifax for an abortion, and the next morning she left, having cancelled the appointment. And, at the end of the vigil, we had a handful of protestors come out, singing about 365 Days for Choice. They were rather confused though to find that we were closing up and leaving just as they arrived. They had mistakenly thought we were continuing until 5 pm, when we actually ended at 4 pm. Was that planned? You betcha. We expected to get something of this nature; hence the early closure. We knew from the previous year that something would happen, since we had been water-ballooned at the end of the very first vigil.

Lucien, who operates the Veritas bookstore, is a man of faith. And I pray that he and his staff will be safe in the days to come.

When vandals rip off posters, smear windows with paste and try to glue the lock of the door inoperable, you know you have touched a nerve. Which is all the more reason to keep going. The Word of God is a two-edge sword, cutting between soul and spirit. And that Word exposes the deeds of darkness to the light.

Be not afraid; we have the greatest power in the world, the power of prayer. And that is what we do in 40 Days for Life, we simply pray. And leave the rest to God.

Opening Prayer Service

2010-09-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

This year, the prayer vigil in Halifax will start with an inter-denominational prayer service the night before. Pastors of several churches have been invited to lead us in prayer; the service will be about one hour long, with Scripture readings and music provided by Heather Jansma and friends.

Please join us for an uplifting time.

Place: St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Oxford Street at Jubilee

Time: Tuesday, Sept 21 at 7 pm

Reception: following the prayer service, in the hall next door. Refreshments will be served. This will be a time to meet other participants, to talk with the organizing team, and to sign up for prayer times.

All are welcome. Please bring a friend.

Another Abortion Clinic Closes

2010-07-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt about it, prayer changes things. And public prayer changes some big things. The abortion clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas closed its doors after three 40 Days prayer vigils were held outside its doors.

Story at LifeSiteNews

Shawn Carney also disclosed that, just a few days short of the final date for signing up for the fall campaign, the number of cities that have joined has exceeded 200. Here, in Halifax, we signed up as soon as the email went out for registration. And members of the organizing team will be calling those who took part in previous years to see if they will be returning. It is our hope that we will increase our numbers dramatically this year.

All churches in the Halifax municipality were contacted by letter, letting them know about the upcoming vigil and advising them that they would be contacted by phone to see if they wish further information. To date, 66 churches have been called, that is approximately 1/3 of the Christian churches in metro.

City Heights Church in Dartmouth has extended an invitation to me to give a short presentation to their congregation on September 12. The pastor will show a 5 minute video with Shawn Carney and then I will answer questions that he has for me, to highlight our local campaign.

Efforts are being made to engage many churches this fall. I would love to see churches take on a day as their own and fill it with members of their congregation. Imagine if we had 40 churches do this, with each church taking one day to come to the vigil. It would be amazing!

But, there is no getting away from the fact that it is the faithful persistent people who come week after week to pray for their hour; some come more than once a week; and to those people, the team says Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! You are keeping the light of witness aglow in Halifax. God bless you.

Shawn Carney's Talk in Oklahoma

2010-07-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

40 Days for Life Prepares Fall 2010 Campaign from David on Vimeo.

Great talk, loved the line that we are uncomfortable praying in front of the places where abortions are performed, not because we are there, but because they are there (they being the people who work to destroy life in the womb). Some people take that as a judgment on abortionists, but you must remember what abortion really is - the termination of a life that was created by God. The abortion business is a culture of death, and we must always remember that every abortion kills one of God's children. So, while we don't judge those engaged in the business of abortion, we are certainly called upon by God to condemn abortion itself.

Shawn Carney and Family

2010-07-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

One of the best scripted videos to understand exactly what is 40 Days for Life. Shawn Carney is one of the four founders of this pro-life vigil, having responded to the Spirit's prompting in 2004. Since they conducted the first 40-day vigil in Bryan/College Station, Texas, the campaign has grown from that one community to over 200 cities/towns taking part concurrently whenever a vigil is held.

Father Paul Morris' Homily Sept 22, 2009

2010-06-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

Mass Commencing 40 Days for Life 2009

There is a well-known quotation from Mother Theresa that I believe sheds great wisdom upon our gathering this evening. She once said: "God hasn't called me to be successful; he has called me to be faithful." Yes,there are many times and occsaions in life where our usefulness in the eyes of God cannot be seen or measured by any kind of worldly category. Instead, each and every person is called to be faithful: faithful to what God asks and demands of us, even when we cannot see a certain future, even when we cannot discern absolute outcomes, even when there are no obvious promises attached. This is faith. this is the response of Abraham; it is also the faith of Mary. Fidelity to God's word, fidelity to what God asks of us. We can respond to such a voice because the one who speaks is Himself faithful. Fidelity is required for the graces of God to be effectively incarnated in our midst. So we are not called to be successful, but to be faithful.

I prayerfully hold this thought as we gather tonight to pray for an end to abortion and to celebrate the sanctity and gift of human life. Such a witness and endeavour is an experience of drawing close to the Cross. As Christians, we must interpret everything through the Cross; it is from the Cross that God's "success" was achieved. Yet judged purely by human appearances, the Cross was a symbol of shame and defeat. By embracing the Cross freely, Jesus expressed his fidelity to God's will, and in his Resurrection, forever transfored the Cross from a symbol of shame to one of glory. Through the faithful obedience of Jesus, the Cross has become our tree of life and source of hope.

So whatever else we may value in life, at some time or another, and in some fashion, all must pass through Calvary, to have value in the eyes of the Lord. That is why I chose this gospel for mass this evening. Like Mary, we are often called, in strength, to stand at the foot of the Cross in silence: to prayerfully behold the frightening reality of the Cross in our world. We do not preach a so-called "prosperity gospel" that is becoming so fashionable today: that God is only to be found in success, in abundance, in worldly advantage. Such ideas are not even half truths. For those who prayerfully witness to the sanctity of life, our efforts must constantly pass by way of Calvary. Such a journey calls us to a persevering grace.

For this reason, we cannot be overcome by seeing lack of progress or even regression in our efforts. We must be faithful and surrender to God's will, which also includes surrender to God's time. Perhaps for some, your faithful witness to life has seemingly born few or even no discernable results. In fact, judged from human appearances alone, things may even be worse than years ago. You have borne the heat of the day and have not seen the fruits of your labours. Yes, it is true, for all of us, occasionally we can be discouraged that we have not seen much progress from our efforts. But if we are not careful, such thinking can also be used by the devil as a kind of temptation leading us to anger, to discouragement, to resentment, and ultimately, to throw our hands up in defeat whereby the joy of the gospel cannot be seen, and therefore, cannot help move consciences either. And certainly, as disciples, essential qualities needed to be most effective today are serenity, joy, and an internal confidence that our efforts are caught up in the purposes of God. We are not called to be successful, but to be faithful. I ask all of us to pray that we do not give in to such temptations, but instead, name it and if found within us, to check it. Like the prophet Ezekiel, from time to time we pray to have our stony hearts replaced by new and natural hearts. This is important. If we are to witness to life, we need to propose a cultural alternative that comes from our faith and is concretely seen in the way we live, the way we speak, and above all else, a natural joy which can be discerned by anyone.

Our task is to build a culture of life, and to point out the dignity that each and every human being has, because we were willed by God, purposefully and deliberately. Yes, we are called to be witnesses to life, which by necessity also entails a prophetic witness of opposition in our culture of death.

Many commentators have noted that sometime in the 1960's, we moved from being a society that embodied a greater sense of collective oligation and the common good, and instead, began to understand morality - and even life itself - only in terms of personal rights and personal goals. The common good gave way to a subjective sense of reality. In its worst manifestations, this kind of living easily gives rise to a narcissism, whereby the assessment and evaluation of important matters affecting many - even society itself - are shrunk to fit only our personal needs. Personal rights of course, are wonderful and an indisputable good in our society, something we guard and rightly hold dear. That is a given beyond dispute. Yet as Saint Paul warns in the Letter to the Galatians, freedom must serve truth; it is not simply a license for choice.

So in the best sense, in your silent and prayerful witness against abortion, you are acting as a kind of thorn in our collective conscience as a society. Do so without any pretention, without any judgement, but do so all the same, and leave the rest to the Lord.

Given the great cultural shift which has occurred, with its accompanying mindset in our legislators and the laws they enact, causes us also to conclude that the broad promotion of life is something that will be attained through legislative intervention alone. No, first and foremost, it must be a grace. A grace of deep conversion heard at the deepest core of each and every person. That being said, all of us have an important place in conversations about the value of human life, and all of us can make a significant contribution in he political process. It is your right and duty as citizens to allow your faith to inform your core beliefs and to make those convictions known. The modern fashion to simply deny faith any relevant participation in the public sphere makes no sense.

As some of you know, I went to seminary in Toronto. One day, the former Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Ambrozic, began talking to a few of us about all of these topics. He mentioned how he was born in Slovenia and as a boy, lived his early years under Communism. He then went on to say that, "Communism was a philosophy that collapsed. Abortion is a philosophy that one day will collapse too." In her Magnificat, Mary exclaims that with God, all things are possible. Yes, all things are possible, even this too.

Thank you for coming tonight and thank you for your own witness and fidelity to the Church's teaching on life. And remember: God hasn't called us to be successful; he has called us to be faithful. Our witness to life is an expression of our fidelity to God, and in faith we pray that the Lord will reward us in his own way and in his own time.

Constructive Tension

2010-06-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. - Hebrews 4:13

When we stand and pray publicly on South Park Street, we are laying bare the evil that is abortion. Abortion that is hidden inside the hospital, with at least 35 babies being killed each and every week. Terminated in a ward that has no name on the door, but only a warning to KEEP OUT. Not even talked about by the staff, but over which there is a silence of complicity. For if we are silent about a crime of which we have knowledge, then we are complicit in that crime.

So our standing and praying in public makes people uncomfortable. Most pass by in silence and glance away; some mutter under their breaths; some passing in cars give the middle finger salute; and a few get angry.

This is called constructive tension. For when you peacefully point out that something is wrong, people get bothered. Some let that bother affect them for the good and they rethink the issue of abortion. May God shed His light on them and let His truth penetrate their minds. With regard to those who react in anger and who may even tell us we are wrong, remember this passage of Scripture:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obey my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. - John 15: 18-21

Pay particular attention to that last line - "they do not know the one who sent me."

We may be the only Gospel some people will ever hear. Let us shine God's light in that place of darkness here in Halifax and may God's light dispel the darkness that surrounds this crime against humanity.

Fall 2009 Overview

2010-06-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

There is a photo of the Halifax vigil at the 2:49 minute mark! This is a good overview to send to your friends to give them a good idea of what a 40 Days vigil is like. We need to get the word out to people that this is a peaceful prayer vigil, not a demonstration, not a protest. For those who have shied away from pro-life activities in the past, out of fear of a confrontation, this video will show them that 40 Days is not confrontational in nature. It is simply prayer in a public place.