The overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey on June 24th was a historic moment many pro-lifers thought they’d never live to see. As we give thanks to God for this decision righting egregious wrongs, which dehumanized millions of unborn for nearly 50 years, we also recognize the need to get to work here in Pennsylvania. Our state laws allow for abortion up to 24 weeks gestation, an injustice most Americans do not realize is an example of our nation’s abortion practices being wildly more liberal than the majority of the world. American laws and practices are in league with nations such as China and North Korea.
40 Days for Life volunteers are part of a grassroots effort to end abortion, one community at a time. The 40 Days mission of prayer and fasting, holding vigil, and community outreach, has not changed post-Roe but has become more focused and essential.
Since 2007, Chester County 40 Days for Life volunteers have held vigil on the sidewalk in front of West Chester Planned Parenthood, praying and witnessing for LIFE during each spring and fall campaign. Through their prayer and sacrifice and by the grace of God, hearts and minds have been changed, lives have been saved, and the seeds of truth have been planted.
In addition to spring and fall campaigns, there are dedicated volunteers providing a peaceful, prayerful presence throughout the year. Building on these efforts and recognizing the need for more volunteers, we have stepped out in faith to begin a year-round 40 Days for Life 365 Campaign. We are excited because this year-round sidewalk outreach has been shown to increase saved lives and more quickly close abortion facilities than 40-day campaigns alone, moving us one step closer to our goal of ending abortion in West Chester!
We have begun 40 Days for Life 365 with filling Friday (surgical abortion day) operating hours, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., each week. Please consider how you might make time in your schedule to participate. Sign up each week, bi-weekly, or even monthly, as your schedule allows, but please do sign up so that we and other volunteers can assess where there are needs. Log into the Chester County 40 DFL calendar just as you would during regular campaigns and you will see which Friday hours are open or filled. We currently need most new volunteers between the hours of 12-4 p.m. but any hour you fill is helpful. As participation grows, and if the need still exists, Thursday hours will be added next, then blocks of time for other days of the week. www.40daysforlife.com/chestercounty
ON ONLY THE SECOND FRIDAY OF THE NEW 365 CAMPAIGN, A LIFE WAS SAVED! A long-time sidewalk counselor engaged a Hispanic couple and after talking with them for over an hour, they stated they did not want to have the abortion and would keep the baby! Praise God! While no experience is needed and prayer is of first importance, there are several training opportunities available for those who wish to engage in sidewalk advocacy. In addition, having the information on local pregnancy resource centers (Connect Care & Birthright), Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline, and low cost pre-natal care is helpful to have on hand for someone who inquires. All this information is available on our home page as well as here below.
– Basic sidewalk advocacy brief videos: (Pro-Life Union Sidewalk Servant series)
https://www.prolifeunion.org/sidewalk-servant-video-series
– 40 Days Sidewalk Outreach training
https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/university
– Chester County Connect Care (CCCC, formerly CCWS) – CLOSEST PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER
https://ccconnectcare.org/, 610-383-0930 / Hablamos Espanol, 484-883-6925
– Birthright of West Chester
https://birthright.org/westchester/, 610-436-0773
– Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline
https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/, 877-558-0333
SIGN UP NOW for Friday 365 Vigil hours for August and September!
www.40daysforlife.com/chestercounty
The Fall 40 Days for Life campaign is coming soon, September 28 – November 6. It is time for Vigil Coordinators to commit their parish, church, or organization to one or more Vigil days for the upcoming fall campaign. Contact Rachel or Jamie to do so as soon as possible. It’s not too early to start publicizing the upcoming fall campaign as well as your parish or organization Vigil days in church bulletins and newsletters, on Web sites, and by emailing your parish volunteers.
Please email, call, or text us with questions. Thank you for all you do for LIFE.
In Christ,
Jamie Failla & Rachel Hayes, Co-Leaders, Chester County 40 Days for Life
Jamie: 267-981-6565, failla525@msn.com Rachel: chesco40days@gmail.com
FB: Chester County 40 Days for Life, IG: @chesco40days
