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Fall 2011 Campaign: September 28 - November 6

Visit the online Vigil Calendar                                                                   Sign-Up for Vigil Hours

Vigil FAQ: answers for your questions                                     Get your church or group involved!

PDF Resources: Statement of Peace, Flyers, and more

Thank You! 

   

Thanks to everyone that helped make this first 40 Days for Life campaign in Baton Rouge a great success! The response of the Baton Rouge community and surrounding areas was outstanding. Over 1,100 people from Baton Rouge and throughout southwest Louisiana joined together during the 40-day vigil at Delta abortion facility to pray for an end to abortion. Between 85-90% of those participating had never prayed at Delta or any abortion facility before the 40 Days for Life campaign. Best of all, eleven babies were confirmed saved during the campaign (that we know about)!

The Baton Rouge campaign ran daily from September 28 – November 6 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. except on Wednesdays when the vigil ended at 9:00 p.m. (Delta stays open until 9 p.m. or later when surgical abortions are performed). Participants traveled from as far away as Lake Charles and Ville Platte located two hours away –and all points in between-to pray at the vigil. Lauren Muzyka, national campaign strategist for 40 Days for Life, made a special trip from Dallas to visit and pray with us as did Fr. Peter West the Vice President for Missions of Human Life International located in Virginia.

The vigil drew members from 65 churches, 34 ministries or organizations and seven schools. All age groups were represented from infants to toddlers up to elementary, high school and college-aged students and beyond. Imagine what God has in store for us next! God bless and see you soon!

Closing Celebration

Come celebrate the many blessings of our first 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge Campaign on Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center located at 445 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge. Come hear details about:

  • the Louisiana Life March in January
  • plans to continue the prayer vigil at Delta abortion facility
  • membership in Baton Rouge Right to Life

Jacquie Stalnaker, regional coordinator of Silent No More and executive director of Ignatius Productions, will share her story of hope and healing after abortion.

A delicious meal will be served including chicken and tasso gumbo or chicken and sausage jambalaya, potato salad, soft drinks and dessert.

**A donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children is asked to help support 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge a project of Baton Rouge Right to Life.

For more information, please contact Deacon Mike Chiappetta at (225) 242-0135 or email 40daysforlifebr@gmail.com. Check out our Facebook Page for a daily report on the campaign and pictures at 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge.

Response to October 20 Incident

**We had a very serious incident occur on Thursday, October 20 at Delta abortion facility, our vigil site. Thankfully, no one was injured. After prayerful consideration and consultations with the Baton Rouge Police Department and the National 40 Days for Life leadership we have decided to continue the prayer vigil. We have made modifications to enhance participant safety including establishing a second vigil site across the street from Delta for those who would like to sit or have small children present. Our vigil box and materials will be located at this site. We will continue to pray at the original vigil site, Delta abortion facility.

Please see the response from the 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge campaign for more information. 

Introduction 

Now, interested citizens and organizations are joining together to participate in this first a 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge Campaign starting on Wednesday, September 28 and closing on Sunday, November 6.  40 Days for Life is an interdenominational effort that brings together a cross-section of people within a community

Voices Supporting 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge

Listen to a few of the voices that support 40 Days for Life.

Some of the blessings that 40 Days for Life has brought: 

  • over 4,300 children have been saved from abortion,
  • post-abortive women and men have found healing,
  • more than 400,00 people have joined together in local pro-life efforts
  • 53 abortion workers have quit their jobs, and
  • 13 abortion facilities have closed and gone out of business following 40 Days for Life campaigns.
  • Visit the national 40 Days for Life website for more information http://40daysforlife.com/. 

Upcoming Events:

Closing Celebration

  • Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Parish Activity Center located at 445 Marquette Avenue.
  • Jacquie Stalnaker, regional coordinator of Silent No More, will share her testimony.

Contact:

  • Main Email Address: 40daysforlifebr@gmail.com
  • Main Campaign Phone Line: Deacon Mike Chiappetta (225) 242-0135

For more information about 40 Days for Life National, visit their website.

Recent Past Events:

Interview with Father Peter West, Human Life International

  • Fr. Peter West has defended the right to life of the most vulnerable members of society for 25 years. He recently became the Vice President for Missions for Human Life International after spending thirteen years with Priests for Life. Fr. West will concelebrate Mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church on the weekend of October 1-2.
  • Thursday, September 29th between 7:30 - 8:00 AM on Catholic Radio, 1380 AM | WPYR or listen online http://www.brcatholicradio.com/

40 Days for Life Kick Off at Cypress Heights Academy

  • A 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge kick off ceremony will be held at Cypress Heights Academy. CHA students will read scripture, prayer petitions for the unborn and sing. The ceremony will conclude with a balloon release in celebration of life and to mark the start of the 40-day prayer vigil for an end to abortion that is occurring world-wide in 301 cities. Fr. Peter West, Vice President for Missions for Human Life International, will share a reflection on the sanctity of human life with the children and parents.
  • Wednesday, September 28 at 1:30 PM
     

40 Days for Life Baton Rouge Begins

Wednesday, September 28th at 7:00 AM
Delta Clinic abortion facility-756 Colonial Drive (near Goodwood Blvd).
 

40 Days for Life Kick Off Candle Light Prayer Service!

  • Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 PM 
  • Location: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church at 445 Marquette Avenue (on Government Street) in Baton Rouge
  • Please join us for an interdenominational prayer service the evening before the start of 40 Days for Life for an evening of prayer, scripture, song and reflection. Pastors and ministers from various denominations and other community leaders have been invited to participate.
    • Rev. Miles Walsh, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church
    • Rev. Joseph Hermerding, Co-Campaign Director of 40 Days for Life Baton Rouge and assistant pastor at St. Luke's Episcopal Church
    • Gene Mills, Executive Director, Louisiana Family Forum
    • Fr. Peter West, Vice President for Missions, Human Life International 
  • The prayer service will conclude with an outdoor candle light reading of prayer petitions for "What Might Have Been" to illustrate the multitude and diversity of lives, talents, knowledge and skill lost through abortion.

Interview with David Bereit, National Director, 40 Days for Life

  • David became an outspoken pro-life advocate after Planned Parenthood announced plans to build an abortion clinic in his Texas town in 1998. He helped to start and build a local grassroots coalition that rallied 60 churches and thousands of people together and dramatically reduced abortions in the region. David led the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in College Station, Texas.
  • Thursday, September 22nd between 7:30 - 8:00 AM on Catholic Radio, 1380 AM | WPYR or listen online http://www.brcatholicradio.com/

Information Session and Sidewalk Counselor Training  

  • Saturday, September 17th from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
  • Location: Small Auditorium of the Catholic Life Center at 1800 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge
  • Light refreshments will be served.

Interview with Former Planned Parenthood Manager

  • The most recent Planned Parenthood manager to cross over to the side of life was  interviewed on a local station, Catholic Radio, 1380 AM | WPYR. In the interview, Ramona Trevino shares how the peaceful and prayerful vigil of 40 Days for Life in her community of Sherman, TX helped give her the courage and conviction to quit her job managing a Planned Parenthood facility and work to support the pro-life cause.
  • Listen to her moving testimony by clicking on September 15 on the calendar; the interview starts at 37 minutes. http://www.brcatholicradio.com/calendar.cfm

Cast the Vision Gathering

  • Thursday, August 25th from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Hosted at St. Luke's Episcopal Church-8833 Goodwood Blvd.   

  • Jambalaya will be served!
  • Please RSVP with Deacon Mike Chiappetta at (225) 242-0135 or mchiappetta@diobr.org.  We encourage your leaders to RSVP and attend

**40 Days for Life Baton Rouge is an Interdenominational Project of Baton Rouge Right to Life.