40 Days For Life Makes a Difference

We write this week’s LIFEstories with big smiles on our faces and thankfulness in our hearts. November 1st wrapped up the national 40 Days for Life campaign and right here in Cherry Hill, thanks to our Helpers, volunteers and of course The Lord – we had 24 turnarounds!

Twenty women who were heading into The Cherry Hill Women’s Clinic to end their baby’s life changed their mind! What a God we serve! The other four turnarounds came from other sources. This we are really excited about. One was referred by a prayer volunteer, another was met while looking for an apartment for another turnaround, the third was the sister of a previous turnaround and the last found our sister website www.abortionclinicvigil.com and reached out to us! The word is out that we are here to help and we are ecstatic about that!

Let’s recap. The 40 Days for Life campaign was started in 2004 to echo biblical history where God used 40-day periods to transform and change lives. From Noah and the 40 day flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ’s resurrection – 40 days, we believe, holds a very special meaning. During these few weeks, people from all walks of life gather together to pray, fast, hold vigils and take part in community outreach – all with one goal in mind – to protect life.

“If you keep hammering against one clinic, with your prayer and your presence, the walls should come crumbling down…that is what I pray for,” said Anne Connor, a member of the Holy Angels Parish. Anne was one of the dozens of people from many different local churches who committed to storm the heavens with prayer and the clinic with their presence during the 40 Days for Life campaign. This was Anne’s eighth year volunteering and earlier this year she got to see the fruits of her labor when God allowed her to meet Baby Legacy who was saved during last’s year campaign. You can read his story HERE. “God allowed me to see, that even though I may not be as convincing as some of our wonderful volunteers, just being there praying does make a difference. Many of these women are looking for just one reason or one sign to not have to go through with their abortion and for many of them we are that sign.”

For Dan Palmieri of Our Lady of Peace in Williamstown, this year felt like hearts were warmer and people were more approachable than other years. He admits though, standing outside the clinic can be intimidating but recalls an instance during his first year volunteering that changed everything. “There was a woman walking outside the clinic and she was crying so hard. This one guy, Mike, ran over to her and grabbed her like she was dying and just held her while she cried. He ran to her with such urgency. Like he was an EMT and he was saving her life. That is what I call them now, EMT’s for Christ. They were there trying to save the life of that child like it was hanging on by a thread and in that moment if they didn’t do anything it would die. It was so amazing.”

These stories from some of our volunteers just give you a glimpse of how important the work is that we do. We had twenty-four women whose lives are now changed and that my friends, is something to boast about.

We are so appreciative for your prayers, your presence and your donations during 40 Days for Life. But what we do does not stop when the campaign stops. We continue our work for the other 325 days of the year. A security guard at the clinic said to Anne a few years back, “Why do you guys stop coming after 40 Days for Life? When you leave I have no where to send people to.” Our presence and prayers are needed to make a difference in the lives of these women and these unborn children. So please continue to stand with us as we strive to build a culture of life in this area. “God’s work has to be continued that is where the perseverance and the courage comes from,” added Palmieri. “Specifically, we need people to continue to pray. Some of the women are going to be convicted just by us standing out there and maybe that will turn a heart or make them question what life is all about. Being there is a statement in and of itself and it is a powerful one.”

We are so thankful to the churches that participated in this year’s campaign. If we missed you in this list, we apologize. Just know we are thankful for you too!

St. Rose of Lima, Haddonfield
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown
Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill
St. Joan of Arc, Marlton
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Hainesport
St. John Neumann, Mount Laurel
Holy Eucharist, Tabernacle
St. Peter, Merchantville
St. Charles Borromeo, Cinnaminson
Mater Ecclesiae, Berlin
Holy Eucharist, Tabernacle
St. Mary’s, Gloucester
Holy Angels, Woodbury
Our Lady of Peace, Williamstown
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lindenwold
St. Peter’s, Riverside
Sacred Heart, Riverton
Holy Eucharist, Cherry Hill
St. Maximilian Kolbe, Marmora
St. Gabriel the Archangel, Carney’s Point
Our Lady of the Lakes, Medford
Easton Bible, Hainesport
Kingsway, Cherry Hill
Fountain of Life, Columbus
Columbus Baptist
Grace Community Church, Waterford Works
Fellowship Community, Mount Laurel
Burlington Church of the Nazarene

Here is a special thank you from one of our founding members Teri LaBrosse and 40 Days for Life chief organizer Claire Howson.

Teri writes: On behalf of The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, we thank each of our Helpers for your steadfast faith in action, as we continue in our plight to rebuild the culture of family. By continuing to be the family for those most in need, the people we touch discover God’s love for them. Often they will say, “I never felt someone care for me like this before” or that they “feel blessed for having met us.” In many cases we become their family. Our faith is professed through our works. This Thanksgiving Season let us continue as a community of “Helpers” to joyfully evangelize our brothers and sisters drawing them ever-closer to our merciful God. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Let’s together carry on in celebration of life and family. Again thank you so much.”

Claire adds: When I first agreed to organize the Cherry Hill 40 Days for Life campaign I didn’t realize what a blessing it would be for me. I have met the most wonderful, dedicated people. They are people who know the value of human life and who treat others with dignity just as Jesus would treat them. I am so proud of the prayer volunteers who give of their time and their talent to witness for Life. It isn’t always easy. They come out in the cold and the rain. They endure taunts from passing cars and even from passers-by. They do this for love of Jesus and each other. I am proud to call them my friends!