MADISON — It was pretty clear that Mary didn’t really want to go into the Planned Parenthood abortion facility that day in June 2021. But, Mary’s sister had already dropped Mary off and sped away. What would she do now?
That’s when Vigil for Life volunteer Kris Meicher offered help.
Kris became familiar with Vigil for Life’s peaceful sidewalk presence in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility through her friend Judy, a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison.
Judy and other volunteers were helping with the Lenten 2021 40 Days for Life campaign. Judy invited Kris to go out and pray for an hour on the sidewalk.
Offering help
From that very first hour on the sidewalk, Kris felt a connection with the women going into the abortion facility (the east side Planned Parenthood location only offers abortion services).
Immediately, Kris began to make eye contact with the women, introduce herself and offer help: “My name is Kris. Do you have a minute? Can I talk to you? We’re here to help.”
Kris offered REAL help, too, handing out brochures to the Women’s Care Center across the street from Planned Parenthood.
The Women’s Care Center offers pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling, and parenting classes (among other services), free of charge. Kris truly wanted to give the women she encountered an alternative to abortion. She wanted to help women in need.
Gently, Kris began to talk to Mary. Mary shared that she was 22 years old and pregnant for the second time. She had her son, Travis, when she was only 15 years old.
She loved her son very much but wasn’t ready for this new baby. The baby’s father and Mary’s own mother pushed her toward getting an abortion. But, Mary didn’t want an abortion.
Mary began to cry. When Kris offered Mary a pamphlet about fetal development, Mary was very interested. When she found out about what her baby was like at nine weeks gestation, Mary seemed delighted. “Can I keep this [pamphlet]?!” Of course, Kris couldn’t refuse. Kris added, “I think you would make a wonderful mother.”
The two women continued talking. Mary seemed anxious to leave. Kris finally said, “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” Mary agreed and got up from the curb.
Kris drove Mary home that day, the day Mary didn’t get an abortion. Mary needed help . . . and a ride. Kris was there for both.
That June day, Kris had wondered if praying on the sidewalk was making any difference.
Then, Kris met Mary, and God responded to Kris with a miracle! “God put me there for a purpose,” Kris recalled. “As I experienced the tears and joy of this young lady, it was evident to me that I need to be out there witnessing and doing more of this type of thing.”
Pray for an end to abortion
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 22, and running 24/7 until Sunday, Oct. 31, the faithful in the diocese will head out to the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood to pray and assist women like Mary as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign.
Madison will join more than 600 cities around the world in hosting a 40 Days for Life campaign.
The campaign involves nearly 2,000 hours of peaceful vigil presence (two volunteers per hour), prayer, and fasting for an end to abortion.
If God could use Kris Meicher, someone brand-new to peaceful vigil, to end abortion, He can use YOU!
“Just get yourself there [to the sidewalk],” Kris said. “It changes you. You put yourself out there, and God does the rest. He will be there . . . You might think, ‘I’m not motivated. I have so much to do.’ But, every time I go, I think, ‘I’m so glad that I went.’”
*Names have been changed for privacy reasons
40 Days for Life — Madison
Vigil for Life organizes the fall 2021 40 Days for Life campaign that puts peaceful prayer warriors on the sidewalk in front of the Planned Parenthood facility (3706 Orin Rd., Madison) 24/7 from Wednesday, Sept. 22, to Sunday, Oct. 31.
Since 2007, 40 Days for Life campaigns around the world have:
- Saved more than 19,000 babies from abortion
- Led to the conversion of 211 abortion workers
- Closed 114 abortion centers.
How can you help?
Pray and fast, but especially sign up for a vigil hour at www.vigilforlife.org/calendar or contact Gwen Finnegan (608-393-8545 or
info@vigilforlife.org)