Florida Catholic | Prayer Walk

Faithful participate in 10th annual Prayer Walk for Life

KRISTIE NGUYEN | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 02.01.08

VENICE | Faithful from throughout the Diocese of Venice joined in praying for an end to abortion Jan. 18 during the 10th annual Prayer Walk for Life. Every year, people of all ages pray while circling the block on which this city’s Planned Parenthood office stands.

The event was held in anticipation of the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Roe v. Wade case, which found that the right of privacy founded in the ninth and 14th amendments encompasses a woman’s decision to have an abortion.

Epiphany Cathedral parishioner Kim Wilkinson stood at the edge of Planned Parenthood’s driveway during the walk, handing out pamphlets on alternatives to abortion. Every Friday, Wilkinson prays and distributes pamphlets outside Planned Parenthood. She also serves as a sidewalk counselor for women and couples who decide against abortion.

Wilkinson said she has witnessed several turnarounds during her two years as a sidewalk counselor.

“That’s what keeps me coming back,” she said. “Some women are here out of desperation. They don’t want to do it and the least push in the right direction is all they need, whether it’s a (pro-life) sign, a pamphlet or just talking to them.”

She remembers talking with a young pregnant girl about alternatives to abortion. Even after listening to Wilkinson, the girl decided she wanted to terminate her pregnancy.

“I’ll still be praying for you,” Wilkinson told the girl.

The young woman paused, looked up and said, “Thank you.”

“For what?” Wilkinson asked.

“Thank you for saving my baby,” the girl said.

Wilkinson and the young woman then drove together to Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center, where the girl could receive prenatal care.

“I feel God’s presence,” Wilkinson said of her weekly vigils outside Planned Parenthood.

St. Martha parishioner Jim Styer also prays with Wilkinson every Friday and participated in the Prayer Walk for Life.

“It’s a chance to save lives,” Styer said. “It’s a chance to give women an opportunity to consider something other than (abortion) and to offer them support during their pregnancy. We don’t save a huge number of lives, but every one we save is precious.”

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Faithful participate in 10th annual Prayer Walk for Life

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