By Anne Marie Amacher
A 40 Days for Life fall campaign was to kick off Sept. 28 and continue through Nov. 6. Three pro-life groups in the Diocese of Davenport have activities and prayers planned for the 40 days. They are among groups in more than 300 cities in the U.S., Canada, England, Spain, Australia, Argentina and Germany planning events.
The 40 Days for Life website states the campaign’s mission is “to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion.”
Jeanne Wonio, with Helpers of God’s Precious Infants in the Quad-City area, said the Helpers planned to open with prayer Sept. 28 on the sidewalk in front of the Planned Parenthood Quad Cities Center in Bettendorf. “The visible, public centerpiece of 40 Days for Life is a 40-day prayer vigil outside the Planned Parenthood center. Those who are called to stand witness maintain a peaceful and prayerful presence,” Wonio said.
Throughout the 40 Days, hours to cover in prayer are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and the third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. She asks people to commit to spending an hour in prayer each week during the campaign, either at home or on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood.
To sign up or for more information, contact Wonio at woniojeanne@gmail.com or (563) 355-4188.
Johnson County Right to Life also will participate in 40 Days for Life, said Judee Albert. “Once again, volunteers will mean everything to the success of our effort, so please search your heart and your calendar to determine how you will take part in this peaceful, prayerful witness for life.”
Albert asks participants to stand in prayer and witness when they are able Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the campaign outside the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City.
To sign up or for more information, contact Albert at (319) 354-4061, (319) 325-4026 or email judee-albert@jcrtl.org.
Jefferson County Right to Life has organized a 40 Days for Life campaign as well. Supporters will meet at First National Bank in Fairfield in the basement community room on weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. for silent prayer to end abortion. For more information, call Karen Crossland at (641) 472-9452 or (641) 919-9037.
Life Chains slated
The annual Life Chain will take place on Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 2.
Bettendorf – The Women’s Choice Center will again host this year’s Life Chain. Participants are asked to meet at the center at 1:30 p.m. for prayer, distribution of signs, posters and a walk to Middle Road. The Life Chain event will be from 2-3 p.m.
Fairfield — A Life Chain will take place from 2-3 p.m. along Burlington Avenue, downtown.
