Day Twenty-Three - How to Get Involved in the Pro-Life Movement

Today's Reflection:
by Elizabeth Boda

Today’s post will reveal ways you can assist in your Pro-Life community.

1. Students For Life is a great organization directed towards the young adults a part of the community. You can join one in an area near you, or start one yourself. If you would like to join, you can visit their website here: https://studentsforlife.org/
   
2. Then there is also 40 Days for Life. As they have stated on their website, “40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.” If you would like to join, here is their website: https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/
   
3. Help out with Sisters of Life. No, you don’t have to become a nun to help. There are plenty of other ways, some of which listed here: https://sistersoflife.org/what-we-do/serve-with-us/  
   
4. Donations are a good way to help if you don’t have the time to volunteer. All of these organizations are open for donations.
   

EWTN has also made a list of other Pro-Life organizations here: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/prolife-organizations-9557

Do you know someone who has recently been affected by abortion or is considering abortion? Here are ways you can help:

1. Recommend a Pregnancy Resource Center. An example of one is Mother and Unborn Baby Care. It is an organization that helps pregnant women and their babies by providing essentials such as medical care, material support, and more. This particular organization is located in Southfield, Michigan, but there are other organizations like this one around the country. It is important to know where your local Pregnancy Resource Center is so that you can refer people to them.
2. Show them an Abortion Recovery program, otherwise known as Post-Abortion support. The effects of an abortion can last long after the actual abortion takes place. An Abortion Recovery program can help them move on but not forget.
3. Most important of all, let them know you’re there. Comfort them in this time of trial and uncertainty. More than anything they need to know that you’ll be with them no matter what.

This Lent, we encourage you to become even more involved in the pro-life movement locally. We can build a culture of life one person at a time by reaching out to those in our community!

Prayer for Those Who Have Lost a Child to Abortion

Lord of all Life,
You have entrusted us to the care of one another,
And called us to be one Body in Christ.

You call us to rejoice with those who rejoice,
And to weep with those who weep.

Hear our prayer today
For our brothers and sisters who have lost children to abortion.
Help us to understand
The pain that is in their hearts,
And to be a living sign to them
Of your welcome, your mercy, and your healing.

Help them to undergo with courage
The process of grief and the journey of healing.
Never allow them to feel alone;
Always refresh them with the presence of Your Spirit
And of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Console them with the sure hope
That you love and care for their children.
Give them new strength,
That even while they grieve what they have lost,
They may look forward to all the good
That you still have in store for them.

Lord of healing and hope,
Give us all the forgiveness of our sins,
And the joy of your salvation.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Amen.

Prayer written by Fr. Frank Pavone