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40 Days for Life campaign to begin Sept. 28

Pro-lifers in the Diocese of Sioux City will unite with others from coast to coast and internationally from Sept. 28 through Nov.6 for the 40 Days for Life campaign.

According to the 40 Days for Life website, the mission of the campaign 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.” 

A 24/7, peaceful vigil will take place in front of Planned Parenthood, 4409 Stone Ave., in Sioux City. Other communities in the diocese, including Fort Dodge, will also hold vigils and events during the campaign.

The campaign will kick off in Sioux City at 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 with a half hour of prayer in front of Planned Parenthood.

According to Karmen Bower, assistant diocesan director of religious education and family life, several representatives from the diocese have been stepping up to help prepare for the campaign.

“We have received financial support from the DCCW, which was very much appreciated,” she said. “It is great to have such a strong organization support us. Out of all the diocesan activities, from my point of view, it really brings in one of the larger groups of Catholics. We have over 400 people who participate in this campaign. It is a 40-day event when Catholics from all over can come and pray.”

40 Days for Life, Bower said, is a way to build the culture of life and is an opportunity for people to support the pro-life movement.

“There is a lot of ignorance about what abortion is, what it does and what kind of abortions are performed in our state,” she said. “We all need to educate ourselves about the laws in our state and the regulations on abortion centers.”

Anyone is encouraged to participate – any age, families, etc.

Volunteers are always needed, especially at night, as well as substitutes to fill in for those unable to make their hour, mentioned Bower. There is a special need for college students or those who are retired for the hours during the day when people are at work.

The thought of sitting alone praying may be overwhelming, she said, so she encourages people to find a friend to go with, someone to pray with.

“You can look at it as a daily holy hour. It is just an hour,” said Bower. “In the past, I have always felt safe being there to pray.”

For more information, contact Karmen Bower at karmenb@scdiocese.org or check out the 40 Days for Life website at www.40daysforlife.com.

The vigil calendar will be available at http://vigilcalendar.com/siouxcity for people to sign up for hours.