COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | October 24, 2017
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Refl ections on a 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil
By Michele Troutman
Today, Jesus opened my heart and
gave me a new and awesome perspec-
tive on something that I was not sure
of in the beginning.
This morning was cold, and we
were on the sidewalk with traffi c pass-
ing back and forth. It is Holy Family
Prayer day at the Planned Parenthood
abortion clinic.
I was happy to see familiar faces
around me. There were about six mem-
bers of my Catholic family around me
(some of whom I had just met for the
fi rst time.) It started out with Dad (who
is my live-in ride), myself, Rilene Simp-
son, and Anne Marie Chrisoulis, who
is the Diocese of San Jose Respect Life
Coordinator. Two of the participants
wore placards that read “Pray to End
Abortion” around their necks that an-
nounced the cause that the group was
representing. Later, Father Celso, the
parochial vicar at Holy Family, and
some other prayer partners joined in,
holding signs and praying.
The question of abortion has always
been somewhat fuzzy for me. I was not
sure where I stood on the issue. I had
started out with the notion that I was
pro-life, but I did not want to push
my agenda on to anyone else’s belief
system.
the abortion workers, and for healing
for mothers and fathers who had cho-
sen abortion in the past. We prayed the
rosary over and over again.
valued because she or he is not perfect.
Eventually our time at the vigil
together ended; we had stayed more
than two hours. But it was a very
important and valuable endeavor.
Everyone has the right to live and to
be loved. Pregnant m others who are
Today Jesus opened my heart and gave me a new and awesome
overwhelmed need to know that they
have support from the community of
perspective on something that I was not sure of in the beginning
people and that abortion is not the
answer. There are many alternatives
such as adoption, fi nancial support,
I thought a 40 Days for Life Vigil
This belief in pro-life is especially
and counseling, to help cope with be-
was going to be scary, dangerous and
important to me. You see, I am a
ing an overwhelmed new parent.
overwhelming. It turned out to be,
40-year-old disabled woman whose
But how can the moms know, un-
for me, a very powerful and peaceful
parents chose to raise and love a three-
less someone on the sidewalk tells
experience. I learned that we aren’t
month-premature baby with severe
them? And who will speak for the
trying to change minds, but hearts. We
disabilities and not “abort” me. I have
babies, if we don’t?
are just trying to get pregnant women
a wonderful beautiful relationship
I k now at least one heart was
to see that there are other options that
with Jesus Christ who wanted me to
changed today – mine! I’ll be back for
they have besides killing their child
live, be happy and be good to other
the Spring campaign.
through abortion.
people. If my parents had aborted
Michele Troutman has been an active
We all stood in the cold and prayed
me, my family and I would have been
Holy Family parishioner for 34 years. She
fervently in earnest for many issues
robbed of the incredible life I have
has been involved in many ministries in-
dealing with abortion, especially the
now.
cluding Stephen’s Ministry and Cursillo,
souls of aborted babies, and for the
I hold that thought in contrast to
and she founded the Awakenings Prayer
mothers of unborn babies to turn
the CBS News report that Iceland has
Group, where people with disabilities can
around and not have an abortion. We
“eliminated” Downs Syndrome births
meet and know they are not alone. Having
prayed to God that new mothers make
by aborting 100% of DS babies. Downs
been born three months prematurely 40
the choice of life for their unborn chil-
is not my handicap, but it is a hard
years ago, she is especially sensitive to the
dren, rather than death. We prayed for
thing to CCH153_CarDonateAd2_4.937x6in_PressQuality.pdf
think that a child’s life is de-
fragility 1 of 8/10/15
new life. 7:41 PM
Holiday Boutique at Villa Siena
Beat the holiday rush while sup-
porting the residents of Villa Siena
Senior Living Community. Villa Siena
Auxiliary invites people to attend their
Holiday Boutique on Nov. 11 from 9
a.m. – 4 p.m. at 1855 Miramonte Ave.,
Mountain View (next to Saint Francis
Are you connected with the
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Information about parishes, schools,
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High School). Christmas decorations,
baked goods, jewelry, gifts, raffle
prizes and hand-crafted knit wear,
made by the residents and Auxiliary
members will be sold. All proceeds
directly benefi t the residents of Villa
Siena.
Holy Family’s
15 th Annual
Holiday Boutique
Saturday, November 18
10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, November 19
9 am - 4 pm
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Complete your holiday shopping!
We have gifts for children & adults.
Raffle prizes include:
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