Here is a breakdown of the Helpers activities since we officially launched this apostolate in Ottawa in November :
From mid-November to mid December :
There were 5 possible turnarounds. I say possible because we can't really be sure these women didn't go back at a later date. For most of them, we witnessed them going in and then leaving so soon that it wouldn't allow enough time for the abortion to have happened. For some, we saw them apparently change their minds before even going up to the abortuary.
All in all, 4 counsellors shared a total of 54,5 hours of sidewalk tim (an average of about 4 hours each per week) and 24 different people stood vigil for a total of 60 hours.
From mid-January to mid-February :
Three possible turnarounds, 69 hours of sidewalk counselling between 4 counsellors. 22 vigilers spent a total of 31 hours at the site.
2010/02/24
Overview of the Helpers' impact around the world
The Helpers of God's Precious Infants have been active all over the world since they were first founded in Brooklyn by Msgr. Reilly over 20 years ago, in 1989.
Their prayerful presence at abortion sites has made a difference. Below is a short (and incomplete)overview of the impact that the Helpers have had over these years.
(Excerpted from various newsletters at the Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Brooklyn website : http://www.helpersny.org/newsarch.htm )
Brooklyn, NY
The Helpers were founded in 1989 by Msgr Reilly in Brooklyn. At the time, there were 43abortuaries. In 2008, 18 are left. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Rockland County, NY
The Helpers were started there in the early 1990's. In 2008, the 6th, and last, abortuary closed. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Dallas, TX
Fifteen years of prayer outside 12 abortuaries, brought their number down to 4 in 2008. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Sydney, AUS
In 2008, an abortuary in Camperdown was closed after 14 years of prayerful presence by the Helpers. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Bratislava, Slovakia
After many years of Helpers Prayer Procession, 3 of 5 public hospitals had stopped committing abortions by 2008. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Seattle, WA
In 2007, after many years of prayer by the Helpers, an abortuary closed after having been in operation for 34 years. (Source : April 2007 Newsletter)
Houston, TX
In 2007, an abortuary was closed following many years of the Helpers prayerful presence. (Source : October 2006 Newsletter)
Queens, NY
In 2006, a business man, moved by prayer vigils, bought a building in which an abortuary was located. He evicted the abortionist in order to put the building to better use. He then invited the bishop to come and bless it. The bishop led the faithful in prayer in the very room where the abortions used to take place. Later on, Msgr Reilly celebrated mass in that same room. (Source : April 2006 Newsletter)
Their prayerful presence at abortion sites has made a difference. Below is a short (and incomplete)overview of the impact that the Helpers have had over these years.
(Excerpted from various newsletters at the Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Brooklyn website : http://www.helpersny.org/newsarch.htm )
Brooklyn, NY
The Helpers were founded in 1989 by Msgr Reilly in Brooklyn. At the time, there were 43abortuaries. In 2008, 18 are left. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Rockland County, NY
The Helpers were started there in the early 1990's. In 2008, the 6th, and last, abortuary closed. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Dallas, TX
Fifteen years of prayer outside 12 abortuaries, brought their number down to 4 in 2008. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Sydney, AUS
In 2008, an abortuary in Camperdown was closed after 14 years of prayerful presence by the Helpers. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Bratislava, Slovakia
After many years of Helpers Prayer Procession, 3 of 5 public hospitals had stopped committing abortions by 2008. (Source : August 2008 Newsletter)
Seattle, WA
In 2007, after many years of prayer by the Helpers, an abortuary closed after having been in operation for 34 years. (Source : April 2007 Newsletter)
Houston, TX
In 2007, an abortuary was closed following many years of the Helpers prayerful presence. (Source : October 2006 Newsletter)
Queens, NY
In 2006, a business man, moved by prayer vigils, bought a building in which an abortuary was located. He evicted the abortionist in order to put the building to better use. He then invited the bishop to come and bless it. The bishop led the faithful in prayer in the very room where the abortions used to take place. Later on, Msgr Reilly celebrated mass in that same room. (Source : April 2006 Newsletter)
2010/02/19
Possible turnarounds
A regular vigiler with the Helpers sent in this email :
- F.
A few weeks ago, I also witnessed a turnaround. A pretty young woman was approaching the clinic. As I offered her our brochures which list the crisis pregnancy centres in the city, she exclaimed "I'm so glad to see this. I didn't know these places existed. My boyfriend and I don't really want to have this abortion, but we didn't know what else to do. We have no choice." She then said she would call the crisis pregnancy centre from the abortuary. I offered her change so she could make the phone call from the phone booth nearby. My initial hopes of a turnaround were beginning to diminish as she walked through the door at 65 Bank. I told her I'd be right there if she needed help.
As a was praying for her, a young man walked by and asked me what I was doing. When I showed him our brochures, he said "Oh, this is about the babies!". How right he is. I waited for some time and I still didn't see the young woman come out. I went across the street and asked the vigilers if they had seen her leave. They said that she did while I was speaking to the young man. I was sorry I didn't get to see her leave, but at least I know she left that day. Please keep her, her baby and the child's father in your prayers.
I witnessed something very positive today, whilst standing with my "I regret my abortion" sign and praying my Rosary in the accompaniment of at least four
other Faithful prayer warriors.
I was standing to the left of the them, and I know two of them saw two young girls looking at me for some time, across the street , and talking to each other.
They were in front of the restaurant beside the clinic, and after a few minutes,
one of them moved forward as if she was going to come over and talk with me. She was looking right at me. Instead she moved back, but continued to speak to her friend. Her friend then got out her phone and made a call.
After a minute or two on the phone, she and her friend went over to the clinic door and went upstairs. They were only there a few minutes, because we all were surprised and elated when they came out the door, holding some kind of pamphlet, and walked quickly away. I'll never know for sure but , God has let me see what sure looked like it may have been a change of heart-For Life!
Thank You Lord.
Friday's experience was a tad different, yet all too familiar concerning the
confused youth when they are in the throes of darkness whilst undergoing the
evil of abortion and its mind games.
A young man came across the street whilst I was talking with W. and quite aggressively started berating me for "making " him guilty and others too, and that I was a pretty awful person for doing so, and so on and so on...
I tried to get a word in whist he ranted, just to say that first I was there to help not to "make" him "feel" guilty, but it was of no use, he was not hearing anyone, but himself, nor did he want to. I have witnessed this before it is what I call present abortion trauma anxiety while the abortion is taking place, and he was very obviously feeling the current of darkness descending on him,
receiving , only a touch of what the baby was feeling and the Mother, and what will yet come.
.{ No further comment, except to say he at least has a conscience about what he and his girlfriend were undertaking to
a certain degree and that is good, because it may bring them to repentance and God's Mercy soon, and I could only continue praying for God's healing to begin.
I did want to say though when he said that they were moving on with their
lives because they had careers and such and that he stressed they had
NO CHOICE, that yes...in fact they did have other choices beginning with adoption.
I never got to say that though, cause he was too angry and just
wanted to vent it and blame me for his misplaced confusion.
God help them both, and of course their child who is now in God's loving arms.
- F.
A few weeks ago, I also witnessed a turnaround. A pretty young woman was approaching the clinic. As I offered her our brochures which list the crisis pregnancy centres in the city, she exclaimed "I'm so glad to see this. I didn't know these places existed. My boyfriend and I don't really want to have this abortion, but we didn't know what else to do. We have no choice." She then said she would call the crisis pregnancy centre from the abortuary. I offered her change so she could make the phone call from the phone booth nearby. My initial hopes of a turnaround were beginning to diminish as she walked through the door at 65 Bank. I told her I'd be right there if she needed help.
As a was praying for her, a young man walked by and asked me what I was doing. When I showed him our brochures, he said "Oh, this is about the babies!". How right he is. I waited for some time and I still didn't see the young woman come out. I went across the street and asked the vigilers if they had seen her leave. They said that she did while I was speaking to the young man. I was sorry I didn't get to see her leave, but at least I know she left that day. Please keep her, her baby and the child's father in your prayers.
2010/01/25
A change of heart
On Friday Jan 22nd, I was standing across the street from the clinic holding My "I regret my abortion" sign and alternately showing the other side of it which reads "50 million killed, I choose life" and shows the two pictures of a baby intact before an abortion and a baby after an abortion, I noticed a man looked over at my sign and then wheeled a double stroller ( with 2 seat in the front part ) into the clinc. He had trouble getting the stroller in the door as it was broad.
As he was struggling with it my prayers from my heart cried out. Oh please don't take your children up there and don't put them through the horror of missing their sibling(S?) if an abortion were to happen.
I could see him move away as far as he could once inside the door, facing the elevator and he waited. Then a woman came walked down the street and entered the clinc and I knew they were together, because I could see them talking. They stayed there for awhile, I continued and praying and pleading with God to speak to their hearts, and not to long after they all came out, looked over at me again and walked and wheeled the stroller away.
I can only hope there was a Miraculous change of heart there, since I don't know for sure, but I hope so.
F.
As he was struggling with it my prayers from my heart cried out. Oh please don't take your children up there and don't put them through the horror of missing their sibling(S?) if an abortion were to happen.
I could see him move away as far as he could once inside the door, facing the elevator and he waited. Then a woman came walked down the street and entered the clinc and I knew they were together, because I could see them talking. They stayed there for awhile, I continued and praying and pleading with God to speak to their hearts, and not to long after they all came out, looked over at me again and walked and wheeled the stroller away.
I can only hope there was a Miraculous change of heart there, since I don't know for sure, but I hope so.
F.
2009/12/03
Price tag on the unborn : 3$CAD
The following message was received from a vigiler :
I am continually amazed at the parallel between Golgotha and the abortuary. 2000 years ago Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Last week, the price on an unborn's baby's head was 3$CAD. In fact, this young man's attempt at bribery is rather risible. We take as models John and Mary, who followed Jesus all the way to the cross, not Judas, who betrayed him with a kiss...
Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
On Nov. 25th, while I was praying a Rosary in front of the abortion clinic, a very troubled and anxious young man came out of the clinic and also crossed the street to speak with me. He asked me if " I give you some money, would you go away?"
I told him no I was here because I know what abortion does to women. He then said"You are traumatizing the women, up there "(I assume he had a girlfriend who was scheduled for an abortion... or was already in the midst, of the act of murder, of her own and his child).
I said gently to him that I was not traumatizing them... Abortion traumatizes people.
I told him , it led me to suicide. He appeared as if he himself was falling apart, on the verge of as breakdown, and again offered me 3 dollars, if I would go away for 20 minutes. I pointed to the Help word on my sign, and said, I could not do that, because I am there to help, even when they come out.
At that point he did not seem to know how to respond, and walked awy, still visbly distraught. I can only hope he took note of the phone number of the H.E.LP. line on the sign.
Let us pray for the young man and all the people who were involved and affected by the murder of the Blessed Innocents, that day, and everyday.
Especially, let us pray for all the children and plead God's Mercy.- F.
I am continually amazed at the parallel between Golgotha and the abortuary. 2000 years ago Judas sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Last week, the price on an unborn's baby's head was 3$CAD. In fact, this young man's attempt at bribery is rather risible. We take as models John and Mary, who followed Jesus all the way to the cross, not Judas, who betrayed him with a kiss...
Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
2009/11/23
Abortion survivor chooses life for her children
Also, on Thursday November 19th , a young woman who gave her name and then later introduced me to her partner and her young baby who was in a stroller approached me when I was standing with my sign asking about my sign and also if it was some organized effort, and
if it was alright , in the case that they may come to stand there with their child (one of them... the oldest 2 and a half years, I believe was the age).They had their 5 month old son with them. They said they would come next week. She is also pregnant now with their third child.
We shared a lot, and she told me her mother had had 5 abortions and her mother (who had a drug problem), had wanted her to have one when she first became pregnant.
Instead, this beautiful sweet girl, wise in ways not many are these days, went ahead and had her child, and oh, what a beautiful testimony she went on to give.
She spoke to me about how hard it is for teenage women when they decide to keep their children, and even the pressure of them being pregnant. She also said she wished more teenage women would be there as well.
I agreed. She told me that although it was not easy , she never would have taken the life of her child.
She said she knew what the baby goes through in an abortion. I had already spoken about the silent scream.
We talked and talked and I ended my part of the dialogue, by telling her and her boyfriend, that she was such a Blessing to me from God, and that her witness to God's Truth in how she courageously went and did the His Will was music to my ears.
Also, Friday, when I went down to stand with my Silent No More sign I met some other wonderful people, and I witnessed a turnaround !
I saw a woman after she looked over at my sign, go in the door of 65 Bank.
She was walking very quickly and was very serious looking. Almost immediately after she went in the door, stood there for a minute, she turned around and walked very quickly out the door and quickly down the street.
I thanked God and Mother Mary for what appeared to be a turnaround by the circumstances.
- F.
if it was alright , in the case that they may come to stand there with their child (one of them... the oldest 2 and a half years, I believe was the age).They had their 5 month old son with them. They said they would come next week. She is also pregnant now with their third child.
We shared a lot, and she told me her mother had had 5 abortions and her mother (who had a drug problem), had wanted her to have one when she first became pregnant.
Instead, this beautiful sweet girl, wise in ways not many are these days, went ahead and had her child, and oh, what a beautiful testimony she went on to give.
She spoke to me about how hard it is for teenage women when they decide to keep their children, and even the pressure of them being pregnant. She also said she wished more teenage women would be there as well.
I agreed. She told me that although it was not easy , she never would have taken the life of her child.
She said she knew what the baby goes through in an abortion. I had already spoken about the silent scream.
We talked and talked and I ended my part of the dialogue, by telling her and her boyfriend, that she was such a Blessing to me from God, and that her witness to God's Truth in how she courageously went and did the His Will was music to my ears.
Also, Friday, when I went down to stand with my Silent No More sign I met some other wonderful people, and I witnessed a turnaround !
I saw a woman after she looked over at my sign, go in the door of 65 Bank.
She was walking very quickly and was very serious looking. Almost immediately after she went in the door, stood there for a minute, she turned around and walked very quickly out the door and quickly down the street.
I thanked God and Mother Mary for what appeared to be a turnaround by the circumstances.
- F.
2009/11/19
Ground Zero report - Nov. 19th
This is the first time I've gone back out to the vigil site since the end of the 40 Days. I arrived at 7:30 am, and there were already two vigilers who had been praying since 7 am.
The vigiler schedule was filled today except for one hour, from 10 to 11 am.
Thanks to all who prayed for the little ones and their mothers today, whether you were at the site or wherever duty called.
This has been an encouraging day. It started out pretty much the usual way. Most women going in ignored us. I noticed one woman in particular who looked rather sullen on her way towards the abortuary. She was a few paces in front of her boyfriend. They were not speaking. They both refused the literature I offered them. They first went in the door at 71 Bank. A few minutes later they came out again and this time C., the other sidewalk counsellor, who was standing on the other side of the door, offered them some information. Again they refused. About 30 minutes later, not long enough to have had an abortion, she came out crying, with him following, trying to keep up with her. I again offered our help, but he simply said "No thanks". It does appear that she changed her mind, or maybe they both did. Please keep them in your prayers that God may guide this young couple to welcome this new human being, this child of theirs.
At about 12:45, a pretty young woman accepted the brochures I offered to her. She seemed relieved at the news that there were places she could go to for help. I explained to her the services they offered. She mentioned that both she and her boyfriend didn't really want to go through with an abortion, but that they had no money. I encouraged her to pray for guidance and she readily accepted the rosary I offered her. She even chose her own color. I proceeded to explain to her that she really needs to rethink what she's about to do, as this is an irreversible choice. I pointed to F. and her "I regret my abortion" sign and told her about the women I know who do regret their abortions. She then pointed to the telephone and said she would like to phone one of the crisis pregnancy centres. But still, she entered 65 Bank St.
Msgr. Reilly teaches that this is no reason to panic. He doesn't mind if the women go in. In fact, it helps them to see the stark reality of abortion. He has had more turnarounds after the women have gone in than otherwise. I was hoping to go home at around 1pm, but I decided to wait for her to come out. About 30 minutes later, a young French-Canadian man walked by and started chatting with me. He asked me if it was a private clinic. I explained that abortion is covered by OHIP. His response was "That's monstrous!" I agreed.
At about 2pm, a couple in their mid to late twenties went in. She was hiding her face in her scarf. Five minutes or so later, they came out slowly, both staring at F.'s "I regret my abortion" sign. I offered our brochures and the man took them. As they walked away towards Queen St. they read through all of them, all the while, their pace quickening. Was it that their decision to keep their child was getting stronger with each step? I pray that it was so.
I kept waiting for the young woman who had spoken to me to come back out of the clinic. I waited almost two hours, as long as I could stay, but I still didn't see her come out.
As I left, I went across the street to thank the vigilers who were there praying. F. said she saw the young woman leave the clinic as I was speaking to the young man. I hope it really was her.
I was quite an eventful day, very encouraging after the intensity of the spiritual battle during the 40 Days for Life campaign. I ask all of you to pray for these three women, and the fathers of these babies, that they all do indeed embrace and welcome these new human beings. May our Lord turn the hearts of these parents towards their children.
We must also not forget the babies who were left to die there today. We entrust them to the mercy of God. As for their parents, may they receive the grace to repent and to be reconciled to God.
The vigiler schedule was filled today except for one hour, from 10 to 11 am.
Thanks to all who prayed for the little ones and their mothers today, whether you were at the site or wherever duty called.
This has been an encouraging day. It started out pretty much the usual way. Most women going in ignored us. I noticed one woman in particular who looked rather sullen on her way towards the abortuary. She was a few paces in front of her boyfriend. They were not speaking. They both refused the literature I offered them. They first went in the door at 71 Bank. A few minutes later they came out again and this time C., the other sidewalk counsellor, who was standing on the other side of the door, offered them some information. Again they refused. About 30 minutes later, not long enough to have had an abortion, she came out crying, with him following, trying to keep up with her. I again offered our help, but he simply said "No thanks". It does appear that she changed her mind, or maybe they both did. Please keep them in your prayers that God may guide this young couple to welcome this new human being, this child of theirs.
At about 12:45, a pretty young woman accepted the brochures I offered to her. She seemed relieved at the news that there were places she could go to for help. I explained to her the services they offered. She mentioned that both she and her boyfriend didn't really want to go through with an abortion, but that they had no money. I encouraged her to pray for guidance and she readily accepted the rosary I offered her. She even chose her own color. I proceeded to explain to her that she really needs to rethink what she's about to do, as this is an irreversible choice. I pointed to F. and her "I regret my abortion" sign and told her about the women I know who do regret their abortions. She then pointed to the telephone and said she would like to phone one of the crisis pregnancy centres. But still, she entered 65 Bank St.
Msgr. Reilly teaches that this is no reason to panic. He doesn't mind if the women go in. In fact, it helps them to see the stark reality of abortion. He has had more turnarounds after the women have gone in than otherwise. I was hoping to go home at around 1pm, but I decided to wait for her to come out. About 30 minutes later, a young French-Canadian man walked by and started chatting with me. He asked me if it was a private clinic. I explained that abortion is covered by OHIP. His response was "That's monstrous!" I agreed.
At about 2pm, a couple in their mid to late twenties went in. She was hiding her face in her scarf. Five minutes or so later, they came out slowly, both staring at F.'s "I regret my abortion" sign. I offered our brochures and the man took them. As they walked away towards Queen St. they read through all of them, all the while, their pace quickening. Was it that their decision to keep their child was getting stronger with each step? I pray that it was so.
I kept waiting for the young woman who had spoken to me to come back out of the clinic. I waited almost two hours, as long as I could stay, but I still didn't see her come out.
As I left, I went across the street to thank the vigilers who were there praying. F. said she saw the young woman leave the clinic as I was speaking to the young man. I hope it really was her.
I was quite an eventful day, very encouraging after the intensity of the spiritual battle during the 40 Days for Life campaign. I ask all of you to pray for these three women, and the fathers of these babies, that they all do indeed embrace and welcome these new human beings. May our Lord turn the hearts of these parents towards their children.
We must also not forget the babies who were left to die there today. We entrust them to the mercy of God. As for their parents, may they receive the grace to repent and to be reconciled to God.
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