40 Days of Prayer and Fasting - 40 Days of Constant Vigil - 40 Days of Community Outreach

The movie “Bella” is an amazing testimony to the issues of life that all of us are witnessing to during this 40 Days for Life.  Last week Cardinal Rigali, chairman of the U.S bishops’ conference committee on pro-life activities, urged the faithful to attend the movie Bella saying that the film, “has a message that is so connected to life: to the problems of life, the challenges of life, the value of life.” The cardinal encouraged the faithful to host advanced screenings of “Bella” with the hope of spreading the film’s message.

Unfortunately Bella is not opening in Seattle.  But, if the movie does well this week where it is opening, we can arrange through Bella’s production company to have the movie shown in two theaters in the Seattle area for two weekends if we can secure 10 showings by buying tickets in blocks of 300 per showing.  There are a number of churches attempting to make this a reality.  If you would like to see the movie (and are not part of a group that has already put forth money for a ticket) you can contact the organizers at St. Monica’s at the following:
- Call Donna Stevenson at 425-443-5829 or Barbie Bucy at 425-442-7700
- Email Jen at Jennifer@msreal.com and she’ll call one of the above numbers with the total count she receives

Just let them know how many tickets you think you may want (whether it be 1, 10, or more!).  And note that at this time we don’t know the specific day/time of the showing.

We made the news this last week.  An article published was published in the UW daily on Wednesday.  It is a pretty well balanced take on the campaign and has received some good comments.

Click here to read the article

Here is a reflection written by one of our participants who was present on what, God willing, was the most challenging hour of the vigil with respect to weather.

My husband and I approached the prayer vigil group 5 minutes before it was our turn and another couple’s turn to take over….The rain had been steady but bearable.  At least, that’s the way it appeared to me as I was riding in my nice, warm car to the destination in front of Planned Parenthood. When we approached the vigil group there, we noticed the red faces and clenched white hands of the steady and true prayer warriors.  Oh well, I thought they are just not used to a little bad weather.

I grew up back East…I can take this little bit of rain.  “Pride goes before the fall….”

We were not 10 minutes into our time on the front line when not only the rain was falling, but it also started hailing.  Small gumdrops of frozen rain with stinging intensity that hit us on our faces and hands. Also, it was a soaking rain that we do not see that often in Seattle, believe it or not.  We are more used to the constant, misty variety of rain.  I wondered what would we do half-way into the Rosary but didn’t say anything. Lest I be thought a coward over a little frozen water.

So we stayed and continued to pray the Stations of The Cross much to the amazement of the theater personnel who were in their ticket booth in the same complex as PP. The hail stopped 5 minutes before our time was up, the rain continued.  At that point, however, we were drenched.

And my pride was gone.   Thank you, God.

If you have a reflection that others might benefit from, feel free to send it on through to seattle@40dfl.com

David Bereit, the National Campaign Director for the 40 Days for Life, will be praying with us at all the Washington prayer vigil sites on Friday 11/2.  That evening, he will then speak in Olympia.  More information soon as to the specific time of day that he’ll be praying at the Seattle 40 Days for Life site.  Below is the information about the dinner in Olympia as well as David’s biography.  IMPORTANT: If you are interested in going, please let us know soon because we have to have a headcount by early next week (Email: seattle40daysforlife.com).  Once we know all that are going we’ll try to get some carpooling action together.  David is a good friend of mine from Texas - I know his family well, and encourage all to hear his encouraging and thought-provoking words.

HEAR AND MEET DAVID BEREIT,
THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR FOR “40 DAYS FOR LIFE”
SANDWICH SOCIAL - FRIDAY- NOVEMBER 2ND - AT 6:30PM
SUGGESTED DONATION OF $5
SACRED HEART PARISH
812 BOWKER ST. SE
LACEY, WA

David Bereit’s Biography:
David became an outspoken pro-life advocate after Planned Parenthood announced plans to build an abortion clinic in his Texas town in 1998. He helped to start and build a local grassroots coalition that rallied 60 churches and thousands of people together and dramatically reduced abortions in the region. Planned Parenthood recognized the effectiveness of David’s efforts when it labeled his town “the most anti-choice place in the nation.” David led the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in College Station, Texas.

David moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 2005 where he served as Executive Director of American Life League and National Director of Stop Planned Parenthood until being asked to lead the national 40 Days for Life campaign. His pro-life work has been featured in the media hundreds of times, including coverage on Fox News, HBO, ABC, NBC, and CBS television stations, numerous radio programs, and in over 100 newspapers across the country including USA Today, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.

Todays email from David Bereit has an awesome challenge:

Here’s what I’d like you to do today…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR ABOUT 40 DAYS
FOR LIFE AND SUBMIT IT TO YOUR LOCAL PAPER!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Most people are not aware that the opinion page of
their local newspaper is one of the most read pages
each day.

By writing a Letter to the Editor, you can spread the
word about 40 Days for Life, shed light on the tragedy
of abortion, and bring hope to your community.

Look on the opinion page of your local paper or go to
the web site for your newspaper (look it up in a search
engine if needed). You should find their guidelines for
a Letter to the Editor and instructions on how to
submit your letter.

Here are some suggestions of different things you could
write about:

1.) WHAT 40 DAYS FOR LIFE IS: You could talk about the
89 cities in 33 states that are united in prayer,
fasting, vigil, and outreach until November 4.

2.) HOW YOU ARE INVOLVED: Whether you are praying,
fasting, participating in a vigil, or helping with
community outreach, tell your story!

3.) SHARE THE BLESSINGS: Tell stories about blessings
you have seen, heard about, or experienced during
the 40 Days for Life.

4.) CALL TO ACTION: Invite people in your community to
join the prayer and fasting, the vigil (if there is
one in your town) and the outreach. Give clear
instructions on how to get involved.

A few points to keep in mind when writing your letter:

>> Stick to the paper’s guidelines for Letters to the
Editor or your letter will never be seen.

>> Stick to the facts, and don’t report rumor or
here-say items.

>> Stories are a compelling way to motivate people.

>> Be positive, Christlike, upbeat, and charitable.

Let’s flood the opinion pages of every paper in the
country and get the word out about the problem of
abortion and the solution of 40 Days for Life!!

In many ways it feels like we shouldn’t be anywhere near halfway yet, in others it feels like we’ve already been at this forever.  If you are new to the 40 Days there is no time like the present to get involved.

This Wednesday (10/17) we will celebrate this occasion with our Halfway Rally.  We will begin at 7pm in the Blessed Sacrament parish hall.  The entry is off of the main parking area on the 8th Ave side.

We’ve accomplished a great deal in the last 3 weeks, however we have a good deal of road left to travel.  Lets gather together to memorialize as a community the journey thus far and encourage each other for the journey ahead.

Blessed Sacrament - Parish Hall
5041 8th Ave NE,
Seattle WA, 98105

Wednesday 10/17 @ 7pm

If any of you are taking pictures while you’re out at the vigil send us links or the pictures themselves so we can put images to the momentous prayer vigil we are partaking in.

It was suggested by a reporter yesterday that this vigil might not be 24/7 (perpetual). I would encourage anyone with their doubts to pick an obscure hour of the day and drop in on us. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Aaron, Steve, Mary, Fr. Bloom and Steve Jr pray a rosary in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion center on 45th St and 9th Ave.

Yesterday we received a letter from Archbishop Brunett assuring us that his blessing and prayers are with us in our efforts.  Click here to read the letter for yourself.