At The Foot Of The Cross

J.M.J +
Dear Friends of the Unborn,
I am emailing in regards to this Saturday’s peaceful prayer vigil which will take place outside Planned Parenthood Killing Center (345 Whitney Ave New Haven) from 8 am until 12 noon, the hours the babies are scheduled to be killed by abortion. Below I have included an excerpt from an article written by Julie Carroll for The Catholic Spirit on sidewalk counseling. http://thecatholicspirit.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=41&ArticleID=1310
We all have seen the power of prayer on the sidewalk in New Haven and know that without the presence of God through prayer words spoken to these woman fall on deaf ears. Let’s face it praying outside Planned Parenthood is not easy for any of us. It is not easy to stand at the foot of the Cross where innoscent blood is shed. It is out of our comfort zone, fearful, and emotionally painful to be where we know a great evil is taking place. It is true that it is not pleasant standing at the foot of the cross and we often run as the apostles did. We often fail Our Lord in our own weakness running from the many crosses we encounter daily. But when we look out of ourselves we can see we are being given this chance, this awesome chance to make it right, to make reparation for the many times in our lives we weren’t there when our Lord was crucified, when we weren’t there to console Him and Our Lady who stood vigil.
There is a story of a young woman who’s mother was dying of cancer and in her final days wanting so much to not stand by that Cross alone she asked her husband to call her mother’s close friend and her own best friends to let them know it was time for them to come and say goodbye. The young couple was saddened to hear the voices on the other line saying I do not want to remember her this way so I am not coming. I want to remember her when she was well.
It is Jesus whom everyone loved when He proclaimed the Kingdom of God. They were amazed by His power and His authority. His miracles amazed them and His healing love compelled them. But when our Lord submitted to His Cross he did not have His usual “following” as no one could be found only Mary and John and the women consoled him in love as He breathed His last.
I still have a hard time remembering the day my mother died and I would have done anything to save her if I could, but I knew being there at the foot of the Cross was where God wanted me to be. Come to the place where God wants you to be Planned Parenthood New Haven and join us at the foot of the Cross, you will never be sorry you did.

God bless you,
Mike and Kerry
Bringing God's presence
Cathedral of St. Paul parishioner Charles Ramsey began counseling at abortion clinics as a seminarian at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. After he left the seminary, he joined Pro-Life Action Ministries as the coordinator of volunteers. Now he sidewalk counsels six to seven hours a day, six days a week.
'It's really about bringing God's presence to people who are in a great deal of darkness, a great deal of confusion,' he said.
Ramsey encourages both women and men to get involved. 'Each person has their gifts and strengths,' he said. 'Women can definitely say some things better, and men can, too.'
Debra Braun at Pro-Life Action Ministries has witnessed countless examples of the impact sidewalk counselors have made during her nearly 22 years at the organization.
One example that sticks out in her mind happened a few years ago at the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Paul. Outside of the clinic, a couple whose doctor recommended abortion to end a difficult pregnancy met a sidewalk counselor who helped them get the medical assistance they needed to safely continue the pregnancy. After giving birth to a healthy baby girl, the couple was so grateful that they named their daughter after the sidewalk counselor, Braun said.
Two years later, the family stopped by the Pro-Life Action Ministries office, where their daughter presented the workers there a rose, a symbol of the pro-life movement.
'[Sidewalk counseling] can be difficult,' Braun said. 'However, the rewards are incredible when you're holding a baby in your arms and the parents tell you, 'Thank you for saving my baby's life.'