Great Meeting Tuesday Paves the Way for Spring 40 Days for Life Kickoff!

We had a great Cast the Vision meeting Tuesday evening with several local pro-lifers in attendance:

• Campaign director Sara Dina explained our local abortion crisis and how 40 Days for Life in Alexandria is working to bring about an abortion-free city.
• St. Raymond Pro-Life coordinator Liz Hildebrand shared a great story of her efforts to spread the word about 40 Days for Life in her church, and leads many fellow Christians to join together for their vigil commitment.
• Discussion/Material Pick-up: Attendees had the opportunity to talk with team leaders, take a look at the newly printed prayer books, and pick up some signs and flyers for their friends and neighbors. 

Full steam ahead to our Kickoff Rally! Mark your calendars now for the evening of Monday the 20th or Tuesday the 21st (more details tomorrow!) -- and plan to attend with your family and friends!

Other Pro-Life Opportunities

The following are several items of interest to pro-lifers:

• Speech Tonight: Marjorie Dannenfelser, President, Susan B. Anthony List, is speaking on Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Raymond of Peñafort Parish (8760 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA 22153). For more information see our earlier post.
• Year of Prayer and Fasting: In this 40th year of legalized abortion, consider joining other pro-life Christians in a special effort of spiritual commitment and prayer for an end to abortion in our country. Learn more and join the group here, or email Jacinta at jacinta.40days@gmail.com.
• Hospitality: Jonathan Darnel is looking for people to host full-time pro-life activists in their homes to get more volunteers into the pro-life effort this year. For more information contact him at 419-889-0881 or jonathan.darnel@gmail.com.
• Action Alert: The Senate debate on conscience protection for adoption agencies is expected to be stiff, with votes pending now. Please click here to view a pre-drafted (but editable) message that could be sent to your Senator to urge his or her support for this bill.

Making history ... AGAIN!

In Thursday morning's email announcement, Shawn Carney, our national Campaign Director, shares exciting news about this upcoming spring's 40 Days for Life:

It’s official, and the news release was just sent. The next 40 Days for Life will be the largest spring campaign EVER!

Click here for the rest of the story, and if you haven't done so this year, remember to sign up with the national team for their daily devotionals and updates during this spring's campaign!

Come to Alexandria 40 Days for Life Cast the Vision Meeting Tuesday!

40 Days for Life organizational meeting is this Tuesday evening, February 7, at 7pm, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 6222 Franconia Road, Alexandria.

Please come to get the details on our spring campaign, including

• updated prayer books
• two separate prayer vigil locations
• guest speaker Liz Hildebrand from St. Raymond Church on effective church outreach
• door-to-door as well as crowd outreach opportunities

Meetup with team leaders and other pro-life coordinators in our area, listen to our guest speaker and take a look at our upcoming vigil calendar. Make your personal commitment to this spring's 40 Days for Life campaign, and be a successful witness for life! 

We hope to see you there!

Susan G. Komen Foundation Issues Clarifying Statement

In a carefully worded statement published Friday, Susan G. Komen board members and CEO Nancy Brinker explained recent changes to their grant criteria, and what impact these changes may have on current grant recipient Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood abortion center closing in Iowa!

Sue Thayer led the fall 2011 campaign outside the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Storm Lake, Iowa, and now this abortion center is closing its doors for good March 1. This is the 21st abortion center where a 40 Days for Life vigil has been conducted that will be closing its doors forever.

Click here to read the rest of the story...

Komen to Stop Grants to Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz

From Lifenews.com -- After years of protests and criticism from pro-life advocates, the biggest breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has announced it is halting further grants and donations to the Planned Parenthood.

Click here to read more...and please remember to say "Thank-you!" to the Susan G. Komen foundation!

Abortion Statistics: Join the Vigil!

Around the world there are over 125,000 abortions per day, while the United States accounts for over 3,000 of these.

In our local community of Alexandria, VA, an average of more than 4 children are killed every day through abortion, giving a total of 1,611 abortions in our city for 2010.

Of these, more than half were of black or minority descent, even though blacks and minorities only make up around 26% of Alexandria's population.

Get involved to save a life, and join the 40 Days for Life - Alexandria campaign!

www.40daysforlife.com/alexandria

Religious Leaders Decry Recent Attack on Faith and Life Issues

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and National Association of Evangelicals vice president Galen Carey both denounced in strong terms the recent decision by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius, herself a professed Catholic, to require health insurance providers to provide contraceptives as part of preventative health care for women.

States Bishop Loverde,

The decision ... is a direct attack against religious liberty. I am absolutely convinced that an unprecedented and very dangerous line has been crossed that goes to the heart of the freedom of religion, and that this action does intolerable violence to our First Amendment Rights... For now, we should all be united in prayer that President Obama and Secretary Kathleen Sibelius will reconsider the action they have taken. 

States Galen Cary,

Freedom of conscience is a sacred gift from God, not a grant from the state. No government has the right to compel its citizens to violate their conscience. The HHS rules trample on our most cherished freedoms and set a dangerous precedent.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events:

• All-night reparation vigil, for an end to abortion and terrorism and in reparation for the sins of the world, St. Agnes Church, 2002 N. Randolph St, Arlington, 9pm Fri. Feb. 3 to 4:30am Saturday. For more information contact Josephine Melencio at 703-243-0920.

• Gabriel Project Volunteer Training -- pregnancy assistance ministry, Saturday, Feb. 4, 9am-12:30pm, St. Rita Catholic Church, 3815 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA. Register online before Feb. 3 at arlingtondiocese.org/gpavolunteer, or for more information call 703-841-2755.

• Day of Prayer and Healing -- post-abortion retreat on February 11, for more information call 1-888-456-HOPE, or email info@helpafterabortion.org