There is Hope and Healing

When was the last time you checked your MySpace page? Well, I did yesterday. It had been a loooong time since I was on it. I was looking around and I found a blog I wrote years ago. I want to share that with you today. The blog is about an incident that happened with a very young couple at the abortion clinic. A good friend of mine spent all day at the clinic waiting for this young couple giving them love and hope. I still remember many details of it. Even their license plate is engraved in my memory. Here it is:

Things 16 yr olds shouldnt worry about    September 28, 2005

Current mood:crushed

Wow, had such a crazy day.   I spent my breaks at the abortion clinic today and it was just so overwhelming. Clinic was packed, no place for patients to park.  When I got there, my friend was talking to a sixteen year old couple that had just gotten out of the car.  If only you could see the look on their faces, confused, frightened, helpless, hopeless.  We offered them information, and offered them help to make a better decision.  We talked to them for about 10 minutes.  The girl was pregnant and frightened to get an abortion.  She said she didn't want to.  The boyfriend on the verge of tears pleading us for help.  Did no good, the girl went right in.  I dont know what she based her decision on, or if the nurse that was working as a security guard that day made her change her mind.  

We expected her to come right out, because on the first visit, you have to get a pregancy test and by law wait 24 hrs before you make your abortion decision.  One, two hours passed.  I left for class. Came back afterwards and the car was still there.  As we waited and waited, we were of course suspicious.  It was evident they were going to give her an abortion.  So as we usually wait for the women to come out after their abortion to help them out, we waited for this one girl.  After most patients left, the main nurse, comes out.  Looking out to see if we were there, she approaches the 16 yr old's car and turns it on.  So we went to the other side exit of the clinic and the two kids were there. The girl was by the door, and the boy approached us to the sidewalk.  I can still picture their faces of "What did we do??" "What now??" such frightening expressions.  You could tell the boy had been crying, and my friend gave him a hug.  In this one hug, probably one of the most heart-felt and compassionate, you could just see the pain flowing out of this kid.  Thats when all of a sudden the main nurse drove up in their car.  She ordered them to get in the car quick and to stop talking to us.  We gave the guy a phone number he could call for help and my heart broke to pieces even more when she tore up the information we gave the guy.  The nurse's aggressive behavior towards us just shocked the teens and they left without knowing where to go to next. 

This is something a 16 year old shouldnt have to worry about.  Should i abort my baby or not? What if my parents find out i'm pregnant? What if my parents find out about my abortion? What will people say at school? What if I dont have the funds? Will i be condemned? Will I be forgiven? Who can help me?

There is help.  Thats why we're at the clinic, offering absolutely ANYTHING the person might need. 

This is something a 16 year old specially shouldnt have to worry about. We all make mistakes, two wrongs dont make a right.  There is help.  Free help. 

8:33 PM

Rosaries, Rosaries and More Rosaries!

Friday was the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. A day where I witnessed so many miracles of faith, hope, love, healing, perseverance, patience, humility and the list can go on and on. Three lives were saved at the abortion clinics.

Recently, I've been getting nudged by God to take a step further in evangelization. Nudged to not be afraid to talk to others about God and his mercy. I feel that God has given me the courage I needed to straight up talk to people about confession and seeking God's forgiveness and mercy. It's hard talking to random strangers about God and try to evangelize them and fight for their souls. Doing what you can so they don't fall into the sin of abortion.
I know that God has revealed this special grace to me because I literally could not believe the words that were coming out of my mouth on Friday. I was speaking words that only the Holy Spirit could ever say. And I definitely felt the Holy Spirit flow through my mouth and gave me chills the whole morning.

So what made me meditate on all this? Easy answer.

Praying the Rosary.

For the past year, I've been getting from 1-3 packages a month in the mail full of rosaries from people from all over the country. The original purpose of these rosaries was to give them out to women and men we sidewalk counsel at the abortion clinic.
These past few days, God has challenged me for more. I always end up with tons of rosaries in my purse, so I figured that I need to step it up, and give rosaries to people and encourage them to pray.
Story:
A lady walking by on the street walked right by me (at the abortion clinic) and looked at the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a picture of an 8 week baby in the womb. She stopped for a few seconds and said hi. She looked at the baby with a lot of pain in her eyes and said, "They abort them and here are others," (almost pointing at herself), "who struggle to have a child." I asked her if she was Catholic and she said yes. All I could tell her was to keep praying and not lose hope. I gave her a rosary and a "How to Pray the Rosary" pamphlet.

Moral of this blog:
God has given me the tools and it's my mission to get others to pray the Rosary.
What I learned: don't suppress the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Day 1 – Spring campaign 40 Days for Life - El Paso

It was a beautiful and warm morning for the kickoff day! We didn’t know how many people to expect, and Our Lord sent us 50+ prayer warriors. What a sight!

Just as people started arriving to pray, a woman named Priscilla arrived for her abortion appointment. Her car windows were closed and she did not take our information pamphlets. Priscilla was playing at full volume a heart break song in Spanish, but stayed in her car. She kept playing the song over and over. From time to time, she would lower the volume and use her cell phone. Clearly, she was in distress and crying helplessly.

Meanwhile the vigil participants started arriving. I asked Virginia, one of the prayer warriors who was there to please help coordinate the persons by asking them to pray in front of the sidewalk. When Alfonso arrived, he handed out signs to the vigil participants. Everyone was praying for Priscilla who was sitting in her car.

Priscilla stayed in her car in what seemed like an eternity, but in reality it was close to two hours. Gaby and I alternated waiting to sidewalk counsel her in case she got out of her car. At one point one of the abortion clinic nurses approached her and attempted to entice her to go inside the clinic. Gaby told the nurse to ask her if she needed to speak with a priest (there were 2 priests on the sidewalk). The nurse was nice and let her know. Thank God, that Priscilla remained in the car.

Finally Priscilla started to back out of her parking space. I thought, "Praise God Almighty, she is leaving!" As I stood waiting to talk to her, one of the clinic owners drove in and honked her car at me really loud. This startled Priscilla and she drove back into her parking space. I prayed, “Please Lord; don’t let her go inside the clinic.”
As the clinic owner drove past her, Priscilla backed out again and I got to talk to her a bit. With tears in her eyes she told me, “I want to keep my baby.”
We talked a bit and she gave me her name. I mentioned to her, “Do you realize how many people have been praying for you and your baby?”
You see, up to this point Priscilla had not seen how many persons had been praying so close to her. She had gotten there just before the bulk of the people started arriving. And all the time she was sitting in her car the vigil participants had been out of her line of sight.

As we talked some more, I gave her my name and cell in case she needed to talk. I also gave her the literature we normally hand out. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw the clinic owner heading our way. I told Priscilla, “You should leave now; they are going to try to get you to go inside the abortion clinic.”

Priscilla understood and nodded, then drove off, but not before she stopped and talked to Gaby further down the alley. They talked for a good while. Gaby gave her a rosary and a baby gift.

The one thing that made the difference between life and death in the life of Priscilla and her baby is that YOU took the time to pray. YOU took the time to show Priscilla that there are good people out there who care for her and her baby. Yes, your prayers are helping to change hearts! If you are praying from home, from your work or are out there in front of the abortion clinic, your prayers are being heard.

For the Greater Glory of God!
Miguel
Pro-life El Paso/Cruces/Juarez

P.S. We had a turnout of about 33 people at the candlelight vigil tonight. We sang praises to God and thanked God for all the blessings of the day. Thanks to all who showed!

Church Life Bulletin February 2009

On January 22, 1973 abortion was legalized with 2 court decisions, Roe v. Wade and

 Doe v. Bolton. With Roe, states can prohibit abortion under

 certain

 circumstances unless the pregnancy threatens the woman’s life or health. Doe defines what “health” means but so broadly

 that it literally covers any

 circumstance in which a woman might be pregnant.

 Therefore, abortion on demand. January 22 is the national day of penance for violations to the dignity of a human person committed through acts of

 abortion and day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. We are called to stand up for the innocent and put our faith into action. 

But how? Here are a few ways especially during this month. Get involved with 40 Days for Life, www.40daysforlife.com/elpaso 915-544-LIFE (5433) prolifegaby@gmail.com. Obama will be in office and the campaign is starting so let’s pray to end abortion!

Pregnancy Help Center of El Paso is taking donations of new formula, gently used and new baby clothes (sizes newborn to 2T), new or gently used maternity clothes, lotions, baby wipes, baby shampoo, blankets, cribs, car seats, financial contributions, etc. are always appreciated and can be dropped off at 2301 N. Lee Trevino on Mondays (4pm – 7pm), Tues, Thurs, and Friday (9am – 4pm).

Check out their website www.pregnancyhcep.org or the new outreach to Dads at www.fatherhoodhelp.org  (Fatherhood Help Services).

Also we would like to invite all believers to come pray with us at the abortion clinics these babies need our prayers at the moment of their death. Call 915-544-5433 for more details.

That’s it for now, visit online www.40daysforlife.com/elpaso or call 544-5433 for more pro-life events. Lastly, if you or anyone know someone who is pregnant and scared or had an abortion, the can call 24 hours 915-591-1343, or 915-564-4444. God bless you!

Miracles on a Hill

Below is a message from my friend Miguel, who has been so faithful to the unborn and our Lord fighting as hard as he can to defend life. 

February 12, 2009

Last Saturday January 17 was an unusually difficult day at the hilltop abortion clinic. People with Texas, New Mexico and Mexico license plates filled the parking spaces. A new nurse that we believed gone was now back. A woman with a possible blood clot returned to have an abortion despite the risks associated and despite hearing from us that there was no doctor on the premises. The gardener turned security guard was picking on one of the sidewalk counselors. He also did everything in his power to “break” the conversations we established with abortion minded persons. And the saddest part was that no one had decided to give a chance for life to their babies.

 

Earlier that morning, I had placed the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe by the wall next to the abortion clinic. There are several things I always ask Our Lady as I unroll her image: That she bless the ground where her image is being placed. I ask her to lend me that beautiful, loving, motherly heart, so I can transmit that love she has for her Son Jesus to all the persons going into the clinic. And that she accompany us and intercede for the children in danger of an abortion. Finally I remind her that I am an unworthy mecapal ¹ at her disposal.

 

At around 10:30 the abortionist arrived and by 11:10 a.m. he had left. By now the only persons left praying were the 3 ladies that always go there Saturdays and myself. We wanted to leave, but decided to stay longer because we were worried about the lady that had gone in with a possible blood clot. More cars started arriving at the clinic and we gave all the information that we always give and we noticed that our prayers had became more and more intense. Perhaps it was because we felt agony for those mothers and their children? There were two young ladies in particular that had expressed second thoughts when going into the clinic, but unfortunately they came out already having aborted. You could see and feel their pain as they left the abortion clinic.

 

At noon we signed off by doing our exit prayers. I proceeded to start rolling the image of Our Lady so I can put her in my car. Halfway I stopped and felt compelled to place my right hand on her chest, right next to her prayerful hands and to thank her for accompanying us that day. I started feeling a heartbeat! I froze for a few seconds and did not know what to do or how to react. Finally I composed myself and calmly asked one of the ladies who is a wonderful sidewalk counselor to feel Our Lady’s heart. She did and after a few seconds she also felt the thump, thump, thump of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s heart! The other two ladies did the same and also felt that beautiful thump, thump, thump, of the heart of the Blessed Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:43)

I think that Our Lady asked her Son to let us know that she was there praying with us and that she was feeling that anguish we had. I think that she wanted all sidewalk counselors, and prayer warriors everywhere to know that she is one of us.

Have you ever asked for something extraordinary in prayer and God grants what you asked for? Then you are shocked because He did? I think that’s a sign of a weak faith. It happens to me over and over. I pray for something and then I’m shocked to see it happen. This causes anguish, because I fell like I pray as a hypocrite and not as a person of faith.

Although I didn’t ask for this, I was shocked just the same. I felt ashamed and embarrassed with Our Lady for my lack of faith. At home later that day, I prayed and asked for the grace of a stronger faith.  I have an image of our Lady of Guadalupe at home and again I felt the need of placing my hand in the same place as earlier that day. It happened again! Thump, thump, thump…

I always keep the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and all the other posters and literature that we hand out in my car, but because of what had happened that day, I was uncomfortable leaving Our Lady in the car. Later that night I went to get her from the car. It was pretty cold like it’s in the mornings and the plastic her image is on gets really hard. This time it was warm just like the touch of a human being.

Since then I have touched her heart only once outside the abortion clinic. That time was more out of curiosity. It didn’t happen, but I know that Our Lady of Guadalupe is watching over the babies in danger of abortion, their parents, the prayer warriors and sidewalk counselors and she specially watches over you. You still are her “little girl!”

 

In Christ,

 

Miguel

 

 

¹Mecapal:

When Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego and asked that he talk to the Bishop. Juan Diego was reluctant and said:

Spanish - “Porque en verdad yo soy un hombre del campo, soy mecapal, soy parihuela, soy cola, soy ala; yo mismo necesito ser conducido, llevado a cuestas, no es lugar de mi andar ni de mí detenerme allá a donde me envías, Virgencita mía, Hija mía menor, Señora, Niña;”

English - Because I am really (just) a man from the country, I am a porter’s rope (mecapal) I am a backframe, a tail, a wing, a man of no importance: I myself need to be led, carried on someone’s back, that place your are sending me to is a place where I’m not used to going to or spending any time in, my little Virgin, my Youngest Daughter, my Lady, Little girl;

Náhuatl - “Ca nel nicnotlapaltzintli, ca nimecapalli, ca nicacaxtli, ca nicuitlapilli, ca natlapalli, ca nitco ca nimamaloni, camo nonenemian, camo nonequetzayan in ompa tinechmihualia, Nochpochtziné Noxocoyohué, Tlacatlé, Cihuapiilé.”

 

What does it mean to be a soldier for CHRIST?

I decided to blog about this because of the recent happenings at the abortion clinic. For the past few months, the sidewalk counselors and I have been displaying an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the mother of Jesus, at the abortion clinic. This image has for obvious reasons been so repugnant to the clinic workers and the patients that drive into the clinic. And probably the only explanation for it is because in the image, she is pregnant, and is carrying our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. 

Here is a picture of how it looks at the mill:

Next to Our Lady is a graphic image. I apologize if showing this hurts you or bothers you, but it surely didn't bother the unborn baby that was saved because of this image. And I ask for prayers for that baby and that couple. The father of the baby was affected by this image and it played a huge role in choosing life for his new family. 

NOW

Below is something that Miguel wrote to me about today's happenings, (December 18). 

Our Lady of Guadalupe has become our daily companion at the abortion mill on Schuster in El Paso. We put her by the wall next to the clinic and like the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ; she is truly larger than life! If you are driving down on Schuster from Mesa, you can see her from almost two blocks away! That image alone has made many abortion minded persons just continue on driving without even stopping at the mill. Many that do stop just stay in their cars not wanting to go inside.

This morning there was one such young lady soldier that parked her car and could not bring herself to go into the abortion clinic. After sitting there for a long while, she finally did go in with tears on her eyes. That must have been the drop that spilled the glass inside, because soon after "JOY" came out on a rampage.  (NOTE: JOY is a psuedo-name for the medical assistant at the mill - gaby)

She was not screaming this time, but was very belligerent. She mocked me every time I tried to give information to someone. She stood in front of me when someone arrived to the clinic and interrupted whatever I tried to say. I always bless the persons coming in, so JOY did the same thing, so I blessed her too. When I was praying the St. Michael prayer, she wanted to know “where is that on the bible?” but the prayers and blessings did have an effect on her. Kind of like an electric shock that sent her stumbling away and into the clinic, but after a few minutes, she kept coming out over and over.

At one time she wanted to cut down our “banner” as she calls Our Lady and kept saying that this was the last day that we displayed that “banner.” I had to put my body between JOY and Our Lady, so she wouldn’t cut her down.

I’ve learned two things today:

That the image of Our Lady continues to make a big impact on people thinking of aborting, on people working at the abortion clinics, and on people that drive by and see Our Lady day after day, after day.

That we need more men to go out to the abortion clinics to give those parents a chance to see that there are people out there who care. To give dignity to those babies close to dying this horrible and violent death. Who knows, you might even be given the chance to stand guard and become a knight in shining armor to the Mother of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For Life!

Miguel

The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist. -- Pope St. Gregory the Great

After Miguel left, I also put up the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and minutes after "Joy" came out again. She was drunk, and all I could think of doing was love her. I greeted her, we shook hands, in my hand I had my St. Benedict cross, and she got a chance to shake hands with the crucifix. We chatted for a bit, I asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said, "I want God's love." Even though we've seen crazy outbursts from her and we never know what to expect from her, I thought, "whenever someone is under the influence of alcohol, people usually tend to tell the truth and open up". We will continue praying for her conversion, because I love her, and God loves her too. And she probably hasn't realized that yet. I was afraid that she would want to do something to the image of Our Lady, so I was getting ready with my prayers, scriptures, sacramentals, to protect it and expect the worst. I was ready to literally sit on my signs, as my Irish friends taught me when the police would try to destroy their pro-life images. 

There is something that I do dream of. And maybe the angels already do this. But I hope that more men like Miguel will take a stand in El Paso. People are amazed that we're out there by ourselves. So another challenge for you is, if you're amazed we're out there by ourselves, will you join me? 

 All this made me think of what it means to be a soldier for Christ. In catechism or confirmation class we learn basic things. Everything else we have to really learn on our own. The "stories" of the lives of the saints, JESUS, are not just stories, they are real. The saints and people we considered to be "holy", were people like you and me. And God is calling us to be saints and to stand up for the TRUTH. They defended and died for the truth then. And we are called to do that as well. I think that the least we can do in our busy lives is pray for these babies that are being killed daily. The burial of the baby that was found in the water plant touched me in a very profound manner. Just like baby Andrew, dozens of humans die daily from abortion at the mills without us. We are their brothers and sisters in Christ, and they die without prayer. Mary was at the foot of the cross when JESUS died. And I'm sure she was praying her heart out. When I die, I hope you are present at my death bed praying for me! I'm sure we would all like this. 

Feel free to comment, share ideas. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. 

- Gabriela

I'm Catholic, who should I vote for?

I know a lot of people are wondering, I'm Catholic, who do I vote for? So I decided to write this blog to help you decide. 

Basically, if you're Catholic or Christian, you can't be Catholic and pro-choice, or Christian and pro-choice. Abortion, birth control, safe sex, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning are all against the teachings of Christ.  Watch this youtube video,  Catholic Vote.

If you say, "I'm Catholic, but I think its ok to vote for a pro-choice candidate," or "...in favor of contraception," or "my faith has nothing to do with my political perspectives or beliefs," or if you think that the other issues are more important, you are very wrong my friend.  

 

The most important issue is LIFE and if you claim to be Catholic, then you believe in the sanctity of life and in the truth in our Church's teachings. 

**If you don't believe and follow them, then you're not Catholic and don't say you are.  It would be like acting as a heretic, as Sean Hannity did.  Claimed to be Catholic, and as a public figure was in favor of birth control, and that could even cost him a denial of Communion.  

Now, I'm not going to tell you who to vote for, because you need to make your own decision, which to me is a life and death decision. But if you want to see directly where Obama and McCain stand visit this website, Political Responsibility.  

I will say this, Obama is not just in favor of abortion, but supports infanticide. How heartless can he be?  Is this what you mean when you say pro-choice or abortion? Click there to see what it is.  Watch this video and testimony of what Obama is in favor of:

If this doesn't convince you I don't know what else will. Below are links to the Catechism

of the Catholic Church on life issues. Feel free to browse them and find out what our Church stands for.

Catechism - Thou shall not kill.section 2270 and on.

Catechism link

Feel free to comment and ask questions.

God bless you!

United in Prayer,

Gaby