Wrap Up - 40 Days for Life - 2019 - Ottawa

From Wanda CLC

Thanks to Everyone who prayed, fasted and came to the vigil site to stand for life. The Fall 2019 – 40 Days for Life campaign has now come to an end. Of the 480 vigil hours, 450 hours had some presence at the downtown vigil site at Queen and Bank Streets.

Reports coming in, tell us that so far, there are 454 confirmed reports of babies who were spared from abortion and they received the gift of life, because of the world-wide efforts of 40 Days for Life participants.

It was a challenging campaign. Although many U.S. vigil locations saw an increase in attendance after the movie Unplanned came out, in Ottawa, the bubble zone law made people more cautious in participating. We did get an array of negative comments, but for every negative reaction, there were just as many positive and encouraging remarks.

In Ottawa, pro-aborts called the police on us three times, twice to complain that we were breaking the law with our presence at the vigil site, and on one rainy day, the CIBC bank called the police to have vigilers moved away from their windows. Each situation was peacefully resolved. I can just see God smiling down on us as we continued to witness for the unborn. Whenever I prayed at the vigil site, God always sent birds, flying gracefully in the sky or sitting on building ledges, reminding me of the angels that were there supporting us and bringing our prayers to the Father.

We had many wonderful guests at our rallies, Father Claude Hallé and Frank Barrett encouraged us at the first rally, Father Mark Goring gave a powerful pep talk at the mid-point rally. At the closing Archbishop Prendergast came with his blessing, and Anastasia Bowles from LifeCanada, gave an impactful presentation about their on-going work and the Missing Project. We welcome Debbie Duval from Campaign Life Coalition to our organizing committee; she helps us to stay connected to the bigger picture. Father Tony Van Hee, our priest who has been charged under the Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, was a regular presence at the vigil site and he kept our equipment safe from thefts. The Sisters from the Queenship of Mary came with their beautiful voices to lead us in song. We also thank St. Patrick’s Basilica for their hospitality in letting us use the Scavi for our information meeting and closing reception.

We did have protesters at two of the rallies, yelling the same tired old slogans, carrying signs, banging pots and blowing bubbles. Childish behaviour, but then they are wounded, misguided children. They don’t realize that their antics don’t change our resolve, they only prove to us that we are having an impact and they become recipients of our prayers. Many people have said they once were among the “choice” protesters but had a complete heart transformation for pro-life.

I thank my wonderful committee for keeping me strong and on track. Thank you for your help and guidance:  Deacon Charles Fink, Helena Szakowski, Paul Lauzon, Sean O’Carroll, Germaine Gaudet, Stan Siok, Lyse Charron, Bernard Couture, John Pacheco and Debbie Duval.

Any feedback you may have for us is very welcome. I’d be interested in hearing from you about your experiences during the previous 40 Days for Life campaign.

From time to time, I’ll send out updates related to the 40 Days for Life campaign, but I promise that I won’t inundate you with emails.

If you want to contact me, please use the email, wanda40daysforlife@clife.ca

God Bless you and always remember to pray for the precious unborn and their moms.

Yours for Life,

Wanda

Wanda Hartlin

Co-ordinator

40 Days for Life, Ottawa

wanda40daysforlife@clife.ca