By Richard Marchack
OTTAWA, September 24, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Last evening in Ottawa 500 people gathered on Parliament Hill for the Kick Off Rally to start 40 days of prayer and fasting for life in Ottawa, part of the international 40 Days for Life effort. Organizer Nicole Campbell commented that she was impressed by the serenity and support of all those who came and says she has great hopes that the campaign marks the beginning of the end for abortion in Ottawa.
Participants were treated to Christian music by Joe Zambon and heard presentations by organizer Nicole Campbell of Campaign Life Coalition, web page registrations coordinator John Pacheco, Angelina Steenstra from Silent no More and Faytene Krysko from 4 My Canada. After the gathering on Parliament Hill a candle light procession went to Bank Street in Ottawa, ending in front of the Morgentaler abortuary. The procession was led by an empty baby rocker, driving home the fact that abortion is creating a society with an empty future.
Once the procession arrived at the site of the abortuary participants spontaneously started recitation of well know prayers. Uplifting Christian songs broke the silence of the otherwise quiet downtown street.
The 40 Days for Life campaign in Ottawa has received the support of Ottawa Archbishop Terrance Prendergast. Anyone in other cities can join in the Ottawa-based campaign by committing to prayer and fasting for the next 40 days (September 24th to November 2).
It is hoped that the 40 Days for Life effort will also inspire people to renew their enthusiasm to stand up for life at next year’s March for Life on May 14, 2009 in Ottawa. The theme for next year’s March is Exodus 2009 and marks the 40th year since the law was changed in Canada to permit abortion. Exodus will include a pilgrimage to Ottawa leading up to the March for Life and prominent guests in recognition of the significance of the 40 years of abortion in Canada.
Last night’s Ottawa rally was attended by numerous priests and religious as well as lay people who were inspired to come to start the prayer campaign. For the next 40 days there will be a constant prayer presence outside of the Morgentaler Ottawa abortuary. There is hope that the prayer will be able to be maintained every hour of every day outside of the abortuary. The signup sheet is filling rapidly, with many people calling the Campaign Life Coalition office in Ottawa (613-729-0379) to ask when they can go and what hours need to be filled.
To check up on when and where prayer partners are needed please check the web-site at
https://www.40daysforlife.com/Ottawa