Praying for Life
Praying for the unborn and their families became a new spiritual priority as I became a mother during my first pregnancy about four years ago. During the early months of COVID, I had just moved to Rochester, was newly married and sick with a severe pregnancy-related illness. In this time, I realized by daily physical observation how ¨real¨ a human baby is in the womb. The next question was, how could I help now that I recognized the gift of life from conception onward? I felt nervous to volunteer for anything that I perceived as politically charged, but I took all this to prayer- often in front of the Eucharist- and could never forget certain statistics such as articles that listed abortion to be the leading cause of death in our country and worldwide by a wide margin (https://mocatholic.org/abortion-is-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide-for-fifth-straight-year/)…combining all this together, I could no longer continue to choose no action as this itself was a course of action. I became aware of this and was not very proud of how I had a voice and the ability to pray and raise awareness to this life-or-death issue for the most vulnerable who are often not allowed such a privileged opportunity, and yet I had not spoken up to support the lives of unborn children even once.
Doubts held me back on how to act. I doubted how much praying on a sidewalk could make a difference, and I erroneously assumed it was protesting instead of peaceful prayer vigils.
Fast forward to about two years ago- after the birth of my second child, I showed up to a kick-off meeting for 40 Days for Life Rochester due to curiosity about sidewalk prayer as an answer to this hope of making a positive difference for the vulnerable unborn. I am thankful I finally did show up; I began signing up for a weekly hour to pray on a sidewalk outside of Rochester’s Planned Parenthood. My heart filled in compassion and love for one another as humans with human dignity through these hours.
I have always appreciated the mission of 40 Days for Life to join together all praying people to pray for and stand up for the vulnerable unborn and all families in difficult circumstances. 40 Days for Life works to make abortion unthinkable through prayer, fasting, and community outreach…all things I already would love to increase in my life to bring greater glory to God.
Please join together as St. John´s parishioners for an hour of prayer with God on the sidewalk. Especially if this is a new experience for you and/or you´d like your family to be among a larger group of praying parishioners, St. John´s is inviting you to pray together on Thursday October 24 from 5:00pm-6:00pm on the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood, which is the sidewalk across the large parking lot from Planned Parenthood (1212 7th Street NW, Rochester, MN). Please note that parking in the private lot just outside Planned Parenthood at Northgate lot is not allowed. Please park on the street or at the nearby public park (Cooke Park).
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Notably, families with children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. In my experience, I have never felt unsafe, threatened, or uncomfortable while attending as a pregnant mom caring for my two toddlers; I have only had beautiful prayer experiences. Other prayer volunteers have always accompanied me, as this is a priority for the campaign to accompany each prayer volunteer.
Logistically, I find a stroller or carrier for the youngest kiddo(s) to be a great option as the site is a sidewalk near a busier street, though there is grass that separates you and the street. I dress the kids as I would for going on a walk, and we walk on the block in front of the parking lot back and forth while praying the rosary, singing prayerful songs the kids enjoy, etc. The kids have always been very concerned for and happy to pray for vulnerable babies, moms, and dads in need- I truly see an opening of their hearts as very small children. They both love to hold signs that spread the message of compassion, hope, and peaceful prayer, so I let them help me in that way as they prefer.
People with signs are allowed to be on the sidewalk adjacent to the street to pray (signs are optional and we hope to have extras to provide for any involved); it is not lawful to carry signs in the private parking lot. Peaceful prayer for all those we see and don't see is the mission. God willing, your effort will make a difference in the hearts of others. Please review the statement of peace (found at 40dfl.net/statement-of-peace/ ) to agree to only peaceful prayer and respectful conduct. If you have not already signed this after a mass, you can print this sheet found online and bring a signed copy or you may review and sign the statement upon arriving at the October 24 hour (copies will be provided); 40 Days for Life asks all sidewalk prayer participants to sign the statement of peace prior to participation.
Finally, if this prayer hour does not fit your schedule, please consider signing up for another hour of peaceful sidewalk prayer at the Rochester 40 Days for Life website (where you can also sign the statement of peace prior to hour sign-up): https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/rochester . If this is a new experience for you, please email Rochester 40 Days for Life campaign leader Margaret Mulligan at 40daysforliferoch@gmail.com or call 507-261-6504 and she will work to ensure you are accompanied by at least one other prayer volunteer for your prayer hour.
There are also some events coming up to kick off the 40 Days for life campaign that you can read about below:
Standing For Life! Monday, September 16th
Standing For Life! Join us for an evening with Rev. Brian Walker, Program Director for Pro-Life Action Ministries, to encourage us in our fight for the unborn. As we enter our Fall 2024 campaign, consider bringing a friend with you. Address: 3240 40th Avenue NW Rochester, MN 55901. Time: 6:00pm
Prayer Vigil at Planned Parenthood Sunday, September 22nd
Join the prayer vigil to begin the Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign. Remember to park on side streets and not in the Planned Parenthood parking lot. Address: 1212 7th Street NW Rochester, MN 55901. Time: 4:00pm
Julia Brown-Ferrero