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Today, I just happened to witness the answering of all the prayers of the
Church against abortion.
When we pray at Planned Parenthood, we are offering our very selves to God to be
His instruments, that He may use us as He wishes, to open eyes, to change
hearts, and occasionally to save a life. Last Wednesday we believe we had a
turn-around: a couple who came to have an abortion, but left instead. The Holy
Spirit used our prayers, our pictures and signs, and our literature, and God
allowed us to see a result this time.
Every time we go, we all anxiously look for some change of heart – I know we have
to trust that all our prayers are heard and answered. I hope this experience will
only emphasize that. Today, I just happened to witness the answering of all the
prayers of the Church against abortion. In the process, Our Lord renewed my
Faith in the sacraments, the value of my work, and Our Lord’s fatherly care.
Last night I went to an Evening of Recollection. The advent themes of the
talks were Hope and how the Incarnation elevates our human nature and all of our
human actions. The evening included Confession. In the morning, my toddler
woke me up at 6am… in time for 6:30 Mass. The feast was St. Francis Xavier,
zealous missionary and lover of souls. The gospel for the day was the multiplication
of the loaves.
When we arrived at the Planned Parenthood Clinic on Ralston, the prayer warriors
were already saying the rosary. However there was no one handing out literature.
So I was going to return to my car, to get brochures when someone told me brochures
were available and I could had them out if I wanted to… I have never handed
out the brochures before, and I have admired those with the courage to approach
the cars. But on this morning, I felt no fear or self-doubt. I smiled and
held out the brochures to cars with a sense of peace, strengthened by the Eucharist
and the intercession of St. Francis Xavier urging me to love these desperate souls.
My usual feelings of anger at the evil, and sense of futility gave way to a desire
for these mothers not to harm their souls. I was so comforted by the image
of Our Lady of Guadalupe and reminded of her message to “Fear not, as Our Mother
is here”.
As the rosary ended and the prayer warriors disbanded, something told me not to
leave just yet. A young couple in a small car drove in, and the man rolled
down the window and took the brochure I offered. They parked, and got out of the
car, talking to each other. After a few moments, the couple walked inside Planned
Parenthood. A few minutes later, they came out and got in the car. He started the
car, but didn’t drive away for several more minutes. As they drove off, Catherine
approached the car and offered the brochure again… With a smile, the young man mouthed
that he got it, and gave a thumbs up! As they drove off, we saw the rosaries
hanging on the rear view mirror!
It was a Perfectly Gifted lesson to:
- Stay close to the Sacraments
- Be where He leads me,
- Listen to His speaking to my heart
- Use my actions however small and simple (today’s gospel was the “Loaves and Fishes”)
- Act in charity and for love of souls (as St. Francis Xavier)
Please join
us as we pray for an end to abortion in front of the
Planned Parenthood Ventura
Center an abortion clinic at
5400 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 93003, 805-658-3232,
Wednesday, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., and Friday, from 3:00 -
3:30 p.m. Bring a friend! First timers are always particularly welcome!!
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