Pro-lifers hear: baby lives ‘because you were here’

A mother’s decision to not abort her baby is credited to participants at last year’s 40 Days for Life vigil. The 40–day prayer and presence campaign takes place this year from Sept. 23 through Nov. 1.

MARINA KOPKO | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Posted: 08.21.09

Baby David was born on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 2009, six months after his mother encountered 40 Days for Life participants who were in the third day of a vigil near Planned Parenthood’s facility in Venice.
Courtesy Photo | Diocese of Venice

VENICE | Prayer is powerful.

The prayers of hundreds of participants in the 2008 “40 Days for Life” campaign at Planned Parenthood in Sarasota were answered in a special way March 25 when Baby David was born.

Six months earlier, on Sept. 26, the third day of the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, a nervous Hispanic woman went to Planned Parenthood with her mother and brother. Outside, they took some pro-life literature in Spanish, but didn’t understand the sidewalk counselor’s English. When a bilingual counselor arrived, she learned that the woman was in her 14th week of pregnancy and Planned Parenthood referred her to other facilities that perform second-trimester abortions. The counselor instead offered help to get her to one of the local pregnancy resource centers.

As the family was leaving Planned Parenthood, her mother said she had hoped the counselors and prayer vigil participants would still be there, so that their presence would be a sign from God. When asked why she decided not to abort, the woman’s answer was, “Because you were here.”

Throughout the remainder of her pregnancy, many volunteers helped her and her family with various needs, including spiritual and financial support.

Then, on the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 6-pound, 6-ounce David made his entrance into the world. David’s baptism in June was witnessed by some of the dedicated volunteers and newfound friends who have continued their faith journey with his mother and family.

Not all babies are as lucky as David.

In 2008, there were 2,045 reported abortions in Sarasota County and more than 69,000 since 1973.

There is hope. According to Florida’s Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration statistics, the number of abortions dropped in the Diocese of Venice by 14 percent from 2007, the first significant drop since the early 1980s.

There is a chance to make a difference through silent, peaceful, prayerful presence at this year’s 40 Days for Life campaign, which takes place from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1. Join hundreds of thousands of people across North America and internationally in praying for an end to abortion. Prayer is daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Many parishes from across the diocese have already signed up to participate for a full or half-day. Individuals are also welcome to pray for an hour or more on any day. People are also encouraged to invite particularly the parish youths to attend as well.

Through prayer, fasting and witness at Planned Parenthood in Sarasota, more babies like David will be saved.

Kopko is assistant director of the Diocese of Venice Respect Life Office. For more information on how to participate in the 40 Days for Life campaign, contact the diocesan Respect Life Department at 941-441-1112.

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