Pro-life billboard in Madison:
It has saved lives and changed hearts

By Greg Wagner
FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

"I think that billboard probably saved her life."

In October of 2003, at the call of Bishop Robert C. Morlino, the Knights of Columbus spearheaded the diocesan wide "billboard project."

The billboard campaign was started in conjunction with the pernicious opening of the Madison Planned Parenthood abortion center located on Madison's east side.

Unfortunately this scourge on Madison and on our diocese remains in business, destroying lives, both physically and emotionally. Yet, as the scourge remains, so does the billboard, standing as a sentinel overlooking the abortion center.

Has the presence of this billboard saved lives and changed hearts? We believe "yes," many lives have been saved. There are two stories to validate this claim.

Billboard was lifeline

We recently had a conversation with Leslie Graves, a counselor with Rachel's Vineyard.

A young lady called her office and offered the following: "She told us that after her abortion, she drove to the clinic every day to see that billboard located near Planned Parenthood that says 'I REGRET MY ABORTION - and if you do too, there is hope . . .'

"She drove there every day just to see that billboard. It was her lifeline. She said that after the abortion her despair was so deep that she had taken a couple of overdoses of pills. I think that billboard probably saved her life."

We also heard from a pro-life friend of a young pregnant lady who was driving down to Madison for her appointment at the Planned Parenthood abortion center. When turning into the clinic parking lot, she saw the "I REGRET MY ABORTION" message and turned around, went back home, and made an appointment at the local crisis pregnancy center. She gave life to her baby!

Power of prayer

The Knights would like to see this campaign not only continue, but to expand. We can use everyone's support to keep this campaign effective.

Everyone can help in one aspect of this campaign that is having a tremendous impact, though it cannot be quantified - the power of prayer.   Full story ...

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Let's Make a
Wave workshop

By Susanna Herro
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND PASTORAL OUTREACH

	Let's Make a Wave Workshop When: Sunday, Jan. 21, 1 to 4 p.m. Where: Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Who: You, your friends, and family who care about life issues Call: Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach at 608-821-3086 so we can plan for refreshments.

Each act of kindness, each action of care and concern builds the Culture of Life. Our parishes are centers of compassion. From the prayers we offer, to the meals and food we provide, to the counseling, our parishes promote a Culture of Life. These acts of compassion show our inter-connectedness and give us a way to be Christ to each other.

This Sunday, Jan. 21, the "Let's Make a Wave" Respect Life Workshop will showcase how small actions can ripple into a great wave of love.

• Terry Walsh of Safe Place for Newborns will tell the story of how a few people made it possible for unwanted newborns to be safely tended, instead of being abandoned and left to die.

• Parishioners from Blessed Sacrament, Madison, including Devon Kinne, will share the ups and downs of establishing an Elizabeth Ministry outreach. This ministry reaches out to fellow parishioners challenged by any child-bearing issue: miscarriage, multiple births, stillbirths, and other areas.

• Michelle Horton and Vicky Franchino, from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, will be sharing how educational activities, from stem cell research to blood pressure screening, have positively impacted the participation level on life issues.

• New diocesan pro-life efforts will be highlighted by Susanna Herro, director of Justice and Pastoral Outreach.   Full story ...