Florida Catholic | '40 Days' ends with vigil at new Planned Parenthood

‘40 Days’ ends with vigil at new Planned Parenthood

National event director inspires the crowd to continue efforts to end cycle of death.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 11.14.08

Dan Bereit, the 40 Days for Life National Campaign Director, addresses a crowd of more than 300 outside of the new Planned Parenthood clinic in Sarasota by using a walkie–talkie at the conclusion of the campaign Nov. 2.

SARASOTA | People who want to end the cycle of death known as abortion nearly surrounded a huge art deco building on Central Avenue just north of downtown Nov. 2.

The building will soon house a new Planned Parenthood regional headquarters and become one of the largest abortion clinics in the country. In what many see as apt symbolism, it is across the street from a local cemetery.

More than 300 people from across the Diocese of Venice gathered for an ecumenical vigil, reciting prayers at the clinic to mark the final day of the annual 40 Days for Life event. The 40-day event took place simultaneously this fall in 179 cities across the country and in Canada.

David Bereit, 40 Days for Life National Campaign director, said he chose to come to Florida in the final days of the campaign because the state is so important in national issues.

“I chose the Diocese of Venice because I knew about the great work being done here,” Bereit said. “I see the tremendous support you have here by the number of people. Of the 59 cities my family and I have visited in the past 40 days, this is by far the largest event I have attended. You should be proud.”

The crowd encircled half of the building huddling around walkie-talkies to hear each speaker.

“There is a small window of opportunity for us to act,” Bereit said. “We must keep up our work because we are making a difference.”

He spoke about a women in Orlando who changed her mind about having an abortion after seeing one of the vigils.

“It can happen here,” Bereit said. “We chose 40 days for a reason. You can find 40 days throughout the Bible. ... We need a transformation in the world and it starts with the first 40 days.”

He likened the pro-life movement with the civil rights movement, starting small and gaining momentum. “The world said nothing could be done, but we started a movement.”

Bishop Frank J. Dewane echoed Bereit’s comments, saying that the participation in events like 40 Days for Life and other vigils at abortion clinics is making a difference.

“Your prayers and your faith make a difference,” Bishop Dewane said.

People from across the diocese attended the afternoon vigil, including the Everly family from St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Cape Coral who also went to World Youth Day 2008 in Australia.

Caira Everly, 17, said she was moved by the vigil and felt inspired to be there following her pilgrimage to Australia to see Pope Benedict XVI.

Kate Pegsteyer of St. Martha Parish in Sarasota carried a simple sign that read “Pray to End Abortion,” and silently paced back and forth during the vigil.

“We have to do this,” she said. “We have to save the children.”

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