*Update: Sara gave birth to her precious daughter, Gabriela, on October 10, 2003*

FROM THE FRONT LINES IN MARIN

Helpers of God’s Precious Infants
St. Francis of Assisi Chapter ~ California, USA

Praise God! On February 19th, during our second presence at Planned Parenthood’s abortion mill in San Rafael, a mother chose life for her baby. The mother, a young Spanish-speaking woman, had felt helpless before she encountered us on the sidewalk attempting to speak to her and to offer help. It was difficult to communicate with her, but because of our Christ-like demeanor (we maintain a prayerful and peaceful presence and strictly prohibit all forms of demonstration) she was able to see that we were there with love and that we desired to help her.

She had prayed that someone would help her because she truly wanted to have her baby, but, before her encounter with us, she did not know to whom she could turn for help and, going on the advice of the baby’s father who had abandoned her and her (and his) child, she had made an appointment to terminate the life of her baby that day. On her way to the killing center she turned her prayer for help into a prayer for forgiveness for what she was about to do - which she believed was a necessary evil. Through the grace of God she found out before it was too late that it was not necessary after all, and God snatched Sara and her baby away from “Planned Victimization” - from those who had told her that her unborn baby was a blob of tissue.

It wasn’t long before she cheerfully and confidently found herself being escorted to a pregnancy help center in Marin. Various organizations and benefactors provide the assistance that we offer to these mothers. At the forefront of these resources are the indispensable local pregnancy help centers with their dedicated staffs. I wish you could have seen the joy on this young mother’s face or could have heard the joy in her voice as she related to us that she truly wanted to have her baby and how grateful she was for all the help that was offered to her in answer to her prayers. As I drove Sara home that night, I told her she would sleep like a baby- without pressure or fear - unlike what the previous night might have been for her. With a sweet smile and peace-filled heart, she concurred.

That day God gifted us with evidence that a child’s life was saved - a child who represents all the lives who have been or will be saved through the intercession of our prayers, sacrifices and actions, whether or not we are ever again gifted with such an awareness. We are thankful to God and, though we desire to save many more lives and souls, we believe that this one child’s life alone is worth all the prayers, sacrifices and actions that we could offer throughout the remainder of our lives.

Not long before we met Sara, we met a nasty woman who told us that we were doing a disservice to women who came to this place. She didn’t get to ask Sara what she thought. If anyone tells you that we are doing a disservice to women, share the fact that you know otherwise. Share the fact that not every woman or man who carries their cross to Calvary wants to be there. Some of them are grateful that we went along with them. The babies who are killed while we are there are grateful that we, like Mary and John who remained with Jesus at the foot of the Cross, remained with them during their time of death. For someone not to be at these killing centers is not only a disservice to the babies and their parents but also to God.

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me. (Mt 25:40,45)

Recently someone in the pro-life movement asked a very effective Sidewalk Counselor friend of mine (a 20-year veteran of the front line) “what makes you think these women want your help?” What a contrasting attitude from that of Sara - a woman who prayed that someone would help her and found us as she approached the threshold of the abortion mill where she was about to have her baby’s life terminated. I hope that Sara’s story conveys the message that Sidewalk Counseling is an important part of the pro-life apostolate - that effective Sidewalk Counselors can save the lives of many babies. Our presence is one of contradiction to Planned Parenthood and other so-called women’s clinics because they offer nothing in the way of helping pregnant women.