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The 40 Days for Life campaign, a national pro-life effort that has expanded over the years, has also grown in the Albany Diocese to include three sites.

The campaign emphasizes a non-confrontational approach based on prayer, fasting, community outreach and peaceful vigils during Lent outside Planned Parenthood offices. This year, participants will hold such vigils in Albany, Schenectady and Cobleskill.

"When you are out there, you see how hurt [by abortion] our entire culture is and how much healing each of us needs," said Maureen Silfer, a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa and a coordinator for the Schenectady 40 Days for Life campaign. "People are open to that message when it is done in a loving way."

The goal for the campaign is to schedule at least two people to stand vigil each hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. outside the clinics from Ash Wednesday through Palm Sunday. Participants pray, hold non-graphic pro-life signs and hand out pro-life literature.

Sarah Stodolka, a coordinator of vigils in Schenectady, told The Evangelist that participants back up witnessing with practical solutions.

"We help women in crisis and let them know there are options other than abortion," she said, explaining that the volunteers refer women to the local Alpha Pregnancy Center for help with baby supplies, parenting classes, state aid paperwork and other needs.

Since 2007, there have been seven 40 Days for Life campaigns in 337 U.S. cities and several foreign countries. This will be the third campaign for Albany and Schenectady and the first for Cobleskill.

Patrick Hanus, a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Worchester, is the Cobleskill coordinator.

"As Catholics, it is our duty to stand for life," he said. "By not making a concerted effort to stand against harming of children, we are being complicit."

Rosa Braden, a parishioner of St. Madeline Sophie Church in Guilderland, is pregnant with her first child. She and her unborn baby will be a presence during this campaign - and, she said, "remind people as they drive by that something is happening in those clinics that deserves more than a passing glance or a regretful thought - something so serious that it demands action."

Participants report that, as a result of past campaigns, two women in Schenectady and one in Albany who were considering abortion decided to keep their babies.

"One of the moms came to show us a photo of her baby," added Mrs. Strain.

Twenty-six years after her abortion, another Schenectady woman stood in front of a Planned Parenthood office last year with a sign that read, "Women Regret Abortion."

The vigil participant, who asked to remain anonymous, said that, "thanks to 40 Days for Life, I'm on the road to healing."

Viviane Strain, a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville and Schenectady campaign coordinator, said she has been encouraged by recent developments on the pro-life front, including a Senate vote to defund Planned Parenthood.

(For information, see www.40-daysforlife.com or contact local organizers: for Albany, [email protected]; for Schenectady, [email protected] or 384-0699; for Cobleskill, [email protected] or (607) 544-4266.)[[In-content Ad]]

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