Respect Life Month:
Ways people stand up for life

By Bishop Robert C. Morlino

(printable version)

During these final days of Respect Life month, I'd like to reflect on the many ways people are standing up for life.

First and foremost, I thank the many priests of the diocese who trained with Project Rachel or Rachel's Vineyard to become better able to help women and men heal after an abortion.

Just recently, in spite of the many demands on their time, 20 priests learned more about Project Rachel. This brings the total number of priests specially trained to help heal people after abortions to 40! Others wanted to attend, but the demands on their time did not allow it.

Of course, all priests are ready and able to minister to people who have been wounded by abortion. But I am pleased that so many priests have become even better prepared to address the distress and sorrow that accompanies abortions.

I thank the volunteers, staff, priests, and deacons who make the healing weekends of Rachel's Vineyard happen. One just occurred and another one is scheduled in April. Help inform people that there is healing available.

Next, I want to share how meaningful it was to stand in front of the Planned Parenthood Clinic from midnight until 1 a.m. last Sunday. To be with people who are praying and fasting during this 40 day vigil to end abortion is to be uplifted and given new hope.

	Forty Days for Life Forty Days for Life is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week prayer vigil outside local abortion centers. It ends on November 4. In Madison, it is being held outside Planned Parenthood on 3706 Orin Rd., off Hwy. 51. Visit www.40daysforlife.com/madison
	Related article this week: • Bella: Movie to change lives comes to Madison

As we quietly and peacefully prayed, I especially prayed for the unborn, for women who are tempted to abortion, for those women who think that their dignity is increased by the freedom of choice - not understanding that their dignity as women is really taken away by the freedom of choice, for those women who are hurt by the tragedy of abortion, that they will be healed and that they will have hope, and for those who perform these procedures that they will see the truth about them and come to the light.

I prayed for all of those who have kept and who will keep vigil during the 40 Days for Life, with thanksgiving for all that they give and for the sacrifice that they make.

The Scriptures each Sunday of this month have given us much to ponder on life issues. This coming Sunday's readings are especially pointed. The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like the rest of humanity, sinful and fallen. The tax collector simply says, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner."

Sometimes, I fear that people who have been part of an abortion see pro-life people as the Pharisees. Instead, we all need to pray as the tax collector does. We need to be the ones who humble ourselves so that others will see that they can be forgiven. We need to open our arms to the wounded, so that they will come for healing.

In the Responsorial Psalm we hear these words of comfort: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." Reach out to those you know who are hurt and brokenhearted. Invite them to speak to any of our priests. Let them know that no sin is unforgivable, that our God is Love and that we, humble people who follow Christ, welcome them.

Respect Life month will be ending soon, but Respect Life activities continue on. The movie, Bella, a beautiful, compassionate movie, will be opening in Madison on November 9. I invite all high school religious education classes to consider seeing this movie and coming to the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center after for popcorn and soda and discussions. This is a movie that has already saved lives and will save more!

I ask all of you to continue to pray for an end to abortion, to use your gifts to help others choose life and to pray for me.