Richmond Coalition for Life

Worshiping The God Who Says Yes To Life.

2010-06-21T17:16:00.000-04:00

Our 3rd Consecutive 40 Days for Life Comes to an End

2009-11-01T19:24:00.008-05:00

Many thanks go to all of you who spent the past 40 days praying for all those who are hurt by abortion, the babies who are harmed by this evil, and for the clinic workers. It was another successful campaign and we are so thankful for your dedication.

Our presence outside of the Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic on Hamilton Avenue this fall did not go unnoticed. The clinic opened its doors this past spring and with that, the decision was made to switch our 40 Days for Life location from our normal spot on Boulevard. We felt it was important to let all of Richmond know that this new clinic is an abortion facility.

Due to the clinic's location near the downtown expressway, we received dozens of "thumbs up" from passing neighbors. In addition, numerous pieces of pro-life literature were passed out to women entering the clinic and even more prayers were said for all those effected by abortion. What a wonderful blessing and a great accomplishment by all of you!

Even though the 40 Days for Life has come to a close, we will not stop praying and fighting FOR LIFE! While we are not aware of any babies that were saved as a result of our campaign, I can only think of how our presence and prayers helped the national campaign and also affected the many people who drove by that we are not aware of. Thank you again!

Pray to End Abortion

2009-10-02T18:24:00.004-04:00

We'll be praying through the rain...

We'll be praying in the snow...

This little girl reminds us...

why we always show!

Pray to End Abortion.

Go to our website to sign up: www.40daysforlife.com/richmond

40 Days Begins!

2009-09-23T20:10:00.008-04:00

Pro-lifers here in Richmond joined those in more than 200 other North American cities today to kick off this year's 40 Days for Life campaign.

But before the first official day of prayer and fasting to end abortion could begin, a group came together for a prayer service Tuesday night lead by Fr. James Kauffmann, pastor at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

The service took place outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic on North Hamilton Street in Richmond, the same clinic where the peaceful vigil will take place for the next forty days.

If you haven't signed up for a time to pray at the clinic, please click here to find out how to get involved!

Opening Prayer Service

2009-09-20T21:51:00.004-04:00

We hope you can join us:

40 Days for Life Opening Prayer Service

Tuesday, September 22nd at 7 pm

201 N. Hamilton St. Richmond, VA 23221

Fr. James Kauffmann, pastor at St. Benedict Catholic Church, will lead us in prayer

This fall's 40 Days for Life will begin the following day, Wednesday, September 23rd at 6 am. If you haven't signed up for a time to pray at the clinic, please read the directions below to view our schedule and sign up. Thank you!

Sign up for '40 Days' vigil

2009-08-27T09:54:00.002-04:00

The 40 Days For Life vigil is right around the corner and we need your help!

You can now sign up to take part in the vigil, which will be held September 23 through November 1.

Here's how to access the vigil schedule:

Go to http://www.40daysforlife.com/richmond/

Click on "Vigil Schedule" (3rd button from the left at the top) and choose "sign up online" from drop down menu.

That will take you to a login page where you can register to access the schedule. You will be asked for your email, a password, first & last name & phone number. Please notate in the comment box how you heard about 40 days for life. You will also be asked to read the statement of peace and agree to it by clicking the "I agree" box. Then click the "register" button.

You will then receive a message thanking you for registering and directing you to an email in your inbox that will tell you how to confirm your registration. Follow the link in the email and you will confirm your registration.

You will then be able to login and access the schedule. Choose the date(s) and time(s) you want to volunteer by clicking the "signup" button on the specific day and time you want. You will then see "prayer volunteer pending" until the administrator approves you.

Then the system will send you a confirmation email that also explains how you can access your schedule and how you can cancel. If you don't have that email and you need to cancel you can see the dates and times you've chosen under "my account" when you are logged in to the vigil calendar. There is a "cancel" button there if you need to remove yourself from the schedule.

Thanks for signing up!

Get involved in this fall's campaign

2009-08-24T21:44:00.003-04:00

YOU can help save lives! The next 40 Days For Life campaign is just around the corner and we need your help!

From September 23 - November 1, for the third year in a row, our community will be one of many cities from coast to coast joining together for the most dynamic coordinated pro-life mobilization in history -- 40 Days for Life.

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

40 days of prayer and fasting
40 days of peaceful vigil
40 days of community outreach

We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city -- and throughout America.

Take a stand for life! While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil outside the local abortion facility. You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at the new Planned Parenthood clinic:

Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic
201 N. Hamilton St.
Richmond, VA 23221

But we can't do it without you! Sign up to participate in our local 40 Days for Life vigil by visiting our website at: www.40daysforlife.com/richmond

Choose Life License Plates Update

2009-05-07T17:31:00.005-04:00

Thank you all so much for your tremendous support and prayers with the Virginia Choose Life License Plates! The Richmond Coalition for Life would like to thank each and everyone one of you for all that you did to help make the passing of this plate happen. We are so thrilled that we will all soon be driving around our great state with one very soon!

Very big thanks go to Senator Ken Cuccinelli and his team for their support and ultimately getting the license plate passed through legislation. Senator Cuccinelli turned in 481 applications and a check for $12,715 to DMV's Carolyn Easley on April 22nd (picture below). Plates will begin to be issued in early July. Please click HERE for information on how to get a plate if you did not already sign up for one. Thanks again!

Carolyn Easley from DMV and Senator Cuccinelli

April 22, 2009

40 Days comes to an end

2008-11-06T12:07:00.007-05:00

More than thirty people gathered at the clinic on the corner of Boulevard and Grove Sunday night to officially end the 40 Days for Life campaign in Richmond.

The group prayed, reflected, and shared inspirational stories many had experienced while volunteering their time for the campaign.

Thank you to everyone who made the entire 40 days such a success!

Your faithfulness helped to make the past 40 days a powerful time in our city. Women walked out of the clinic and chose life for their babies. Mothers and fathers in crisis heard your prayers and accepted your literature. People passing by stopped and prayed with you. Doctors and nurses watched you as they walked from their cars into the clinic. People driving by saw a prayerful witness and were forced, even for just a second, to consider why you were there.

Keep praying for an end to abortion and keep visiting the clinic. There are women and men who need you there year-round. And don't forget, next year's 40 Days will be here before you know it!

Director of 40 Days visits Richmond

2008-10-30T15:13:00.009-04:00

David Bereit, the National 40 Days for Life Campaign Director, visited Richmond Tuesday afternoon.

We were so glad that he was able to visit us as he is really busy going to many of the different 40 Days for Life locations around the country. David flew in from Indiana that afternoon and headed to Florida the next day.

We were so thankful that he came and for his encouraging words. He told us that when he came to Richmond two years ago to tell us about the 40 Days for Life, at that time, he had no idea that the campaign would become such a national event. Well, can you believe that 40 Days for Life Campaigns are happening right now in 179 other cities? He also told us of many success stories that have been occuring around the country as a result of the campaign. He said that he has much hope, due to the success of all the 40 Days for Life campaigns, that abortion will be illegal in the near future in our country. Our prayer and fasting are having a impact!

Here are some more pictures from Dave Bereit's visit to the clinic:

Life Chain

2008-10-15T21:45:00.006-04:00

Here's a look at the Life Chain event that so many of you attended on October 5:

URGE CONGRESS TO OPPOSE THE "FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT"

2008-10-14T17:57:00.005-04:00

Bill Could Eliminate Hundreds of Current Pro-Life Laws! Take Action!

Last week, the Virginia Catholic Conference urged the members of its network to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) by taking action on a USCCB-approved alert that did not include a pre-drafted sample letter. Since that time, several of our members have requested a sample letter to assist them in contacting members of Congress.

To contact your U.S. Senators and Congressman in opposition to the Freedom of Choice Act, please CLICK HERE.

You are highly encouraged to forward this alert to family members, friends, co-workers, and anyone else who may be interested in expressing opposition to this extremely dangerous legislation.

40 Days Updates

2008-10-07T20:46:00.004-04:00

40 Days is going strong! Here are some updates:

We asked you to pray for "K" in an earlier post. As far as we know at this time, she has an abortion scheduled for this Friday, and she is in need of your prayers over these next few days. A 40 Days volunteer, Emily, has been speaking with her, so please keep Emily in your prayers as well, that God may continue to work through her to speak to "K" and that her baby is able to be saved.
A woman named Babs and her husband were at the Richmond clinic today, all the way from Vermont! They are traveling from one 40 Days location to the next, and living in their RV. Also, a mother and her two children who live two hours away came to pray at the clinic today. She said their church is fasting for the 40 days. Just remember, when you are out there praying at the clinic, even if you are alone, remember how many people are alongside you in spirit, supporting your efforts with prayer and fasting!
Life Chain was a big success on Sunday. Many thanks to each of you who came out to stand for life. There were approximately 55 pro-lifers in attendance, ranging in ages from 14 years to early 80's. We will soon be posting a video of the event on this blog, so keep checking back!

Come out this Sunday for Life Chain

2008-10-02T20:13:00.009-04:00

This is your chance to stand up for life!

Life Chain will be held this Sunday, Oct. 5 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Richmond Medical Center for Women on the corner of Boulevard and Grove in Richmond. It's a time to pray that the culture of life will prevail and that the sanctity of human life is valued once again.

With the upcoming elections, and because abortion is a key issue, we can expect that there will be more pro-choicers there than ever. So please consider coming out to the clinic and standing side by side for LIFE!

What: Life Chain

When: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Where: Richmond Medical Center for Women, corner of Boulevard and Grove, Richmond

Fruits of your prayers already evident

2008-10-01T15:34:00.011-04:00

40 Days organizer and volunteer, Charleen, and her daughter, Melisse, praying outside the clinic on Tuesday morning.

There have already been amazing things taking place at the abortion clinic since 40 Days for Life began almost one week ago!

Last week, the mom's group was praying when a woman approached them and began to ask if they were harassing those leaving the clinic. The member's of the mom's group calmly explained to her that they were simply praying. A few minutes later, the woman asked the group if they hated her. One member of the mom's group told the woman that they did not hate her. The woman broke down and told them she'd had an abortion years earlier. The mom's group asked if she'd like to pray with them, which she did. After praying, the woman thanked them for helping to change her heart. More prayers for this woman are needed, though, and for all post-abortive women.

On Tuesday morning, volunteers for 40 Days for Life were praying outside the clinic when a woman, who had earlier entered the clinic, got in her car and left. As she was leaving, she told them that she had decided not to go through with the abortion. Praise God!

Also on Tuesday, a 40 Days volunteer was able to counsel a young, pregnant woman before she entered the clinic. The young woman, two months along, cried as she looked at a pamphlet that showed ultrasound pictures of what a baby looks like at the two month stage. She still went inside, but ensured the volunteer it was for an ultrasound. It appears there is hope this woman, "K", may not go through with the abortion and may even reach out to the 40 Days volunteer for help. Please pray for her!

If you have any stories you'd like to share on this blog, please send them to richmondcoalitionforlife@gmail.com.

To get involved in 40 Days for Life, please visit www.40daysforlife.com/richmond.

Praying in the rain

2008-09-26T14:34:00.004-04:00

Thanks to everyone who has come out in the rain to take part in 40 Days For Life. What a wonderful witness it is!

Below is a picture of one volunteer, Michelle from St. Benedict's, who prayed in the rain for two hours on Thursday.

If you'd like to sign up to pray outside the abortion clinic on Boulevard and Grove in Richmond, please visit www.40daysforlife.com/richmond.

Get involved in 40 Days For Life

2008-09-25T12:30:00.003-04:00

The 40 Days For Life campaign is well underway! To get involved, click here. And if you have prayed at the abortion clinic on the corner of Boulevard and Grove in Richmond and have a story to tell about your experience, email it to richmondcoalitionforlife@gmail.com and we'll post it on this blog.

Whether you plan to pray and fast from home or stand as a witness to life outside the clinic, we need your help now more than ever. Sign up today and become an active participant in this peaceful effort to bring about an end to abortion!

The Catholic Vote

2008-09-25T12:25:00.002-04:00

Check out this great video from Grassroots Films all about the Catholic vote:

40 Days for Life Kickoff Rally 9-24 at 6 a.m.

2008-09-19T10:08:00.005-04:00

40 Days for Life KICKOFF RALLY! Wednesday, September 24th at 6 am
The 40 Days for Life Campaign officially begins on Wednesday, September 24th at 6 AM. Please join us at the abortion clinic at the corner of Boulevard and Grove Ave. at 6 AM to pray for the success of this extraordinary Pro-Life event at our Kickoff Rally! We will also be handing out free 40 Days for Life bumper stickers and wristbands! Richmond will be joining over 170 cities nationwide in a unified effort to pray for an end to abortion. It is such an exciting time in our country! Please help us show Richmond our dedication to this cause. Your prayers and presence will make a difference! If you haven't been involved before, please watch our video. It gives you an idea of what it is like to pray at the clinic: 40 Days for Life Video- Richmond
DEAR FRIENDS:I HOPE YOU CAN JOIN ME!!! – Yes, that is 6 A.M. !
The 40 Days for Life Campaign is just a little over a week away! If you haven't signed up yet, don't worry! Please visit our website now: http://www.40daysforlife.com/richmondTo sign up for a time slot to pray at the clinic, please visit the link "Vigil Schedule" and follow the directions to get access to our calendar and sign up. Please tell all of your friends! Also, tune in to American Family Radio 89.7 FM to hear 40 Days for Life commericals and also an interview with Campaign Director, Glen Sturtevant.

Local Website and Vigil Schedule are up and running!

2008-08-15T15:49:00.003-04:00

We are excited to announce that both our Richmond 40 Days for Life Website and our Vigil Schedule are up and running!
If you cannot attend the information session tomorrow, but would like to learn more about the 40 Days for Life and what it is all about, please visit our website. To get there, click on the link to the right under "Our Local Website."
If you are ready to sign up for a time to pray at the clinic, please visit the link under "Vigil Schedule" to the right. You will need to register in order to have access to the Vigil Schedule. If you participated last year, your same username and password will still work. If you have forgotten your information, the website can send it to you.
We know that the Richmond 40 Days for Life will again be a HUGE success!

Information Session this Saturday!

2008-08-14T08:14:00.002-04:00

If you'd like to learn more about the 40 Days for Life Campaign this Fall here in Richmond, please attend an informational session THIS SATURDAY!

WHAT: Information about what the 40 Days for Life is and how to get involved

WHEN: THIS Saturday, August 16th at 6:30 pm

WHERE: St. Benedict Church (click here for directions) directly following the 5:30 service in the church

*If your church is interested in hosting another information session, please contact us at richmondcoalitionforlife@gmail.com We'd be happy to come out and spread the word to your church community!*

Gearing up for the 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign!

2008-07-21T11:51:00.003-04:00

We have begun the planning stages for this fall's Richmond 40 Days for Life Campaign. We have officially registered and more detailed information about the campaign and how you can get involved is to come soon. We encourage you to register on the national website to get updates sent to your email account. Click here to register.

If you were not involved last year and would like to learn more about the campaign and how it started, there will be a documentary airing this Friday on EWTN. See below:

WHAT: "being HUMAN: 40 Days for Life II"
DATE: Friday, July 25
TIME: 6:30 PM Eastern (3:30 PM Pacific)
WHERE: Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) --
available in most markets

You can also view our own Richmond 40 Days for Life video here.

Also, we know many of you had amazing testimonials from the campaign last year. If you'd like to share your story, please email us. Thank you!

'Bella' Showing at Byrd a Success

2008-06-28T16:52:00.002-04:00

Thank you to all who came out today to watch a free showing of the movie Bella at the Byrd Theater in Richmond, sponsored by the Richmond Coalition for Life. Those in attendance also generously donated to help support our upcoming 40 Days for Life campaign, specifically to pay for overnight security. If you were unable to attend and would still like to donate, please send us an email.

Also thank you to the Family Foundation of Virginia for helping to get the word out about today's movie event by posting about it on their blog. It's a great pro-family organization and we're so glad to have had their assistance.

Free Showing of Bella

2008-06-25T00:38:00.001-04:00

You are cordially invited to a FREE showing of the pro-life movie Bella at the historic Byrd Theater in Richmond!

This event is sponsored by the Richmond Coalition for Life.

Date: Saturday, June 28th
Time: 1:30 PM
Place: Byrd Theater

For directions to the theater, Click here!

To obtain your FREE tickets, please do the following:
1. Email: Richmondcoalitionforlife@gmail.com
2. In your email, please state your first and last name and the number of tickets you would like.
3. If for some reason you need to cancel or you no longer can attend, please email us so we can give your tickets to someone else.
4. On the day of the show, you do not need to go to the ticket booth at the Byrd. Simply come through the doors of the theater where a member of the Richmond Coalition for Life will provide you with your ticket.

*Donations for the Richmond Coalition for Life will be graciously accepted on the day of this event.
*Before the movie begins we will tell you what you can do to help support Virginia get a pro-life license plate, an update on this fall's 40 Days for Life Campaign, and we will have a raffle of some wonderful pro-life merchandise!
*Please tell ALL of your friends about this free showing! Our goal is to fill the theater!

Congratulations!

2008-05-19T09:48:00.002-04:00

Dear All:
Congratulations on your new blog, Richmond Coalition for Life.
I support your efforts and wish you all the best!
If there is anything I can do to help, I will be there.
I look forward to hearing all about the next event.
I am an Advocate for Life.

Welcome!

2008-05-17T15:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the official blog of the Richmond Coalition for Life. Perhaps you are here because you are curious about pro-life activities in the city of Richmond, would like more information on life issues, or are looking to get involved. This website will keep you up to date on the group's activities, news pertaining to pro-life issues, and how you can do your part to protect the sanctity of life.

Who We Are

The mission of the Richmond Coalition for Life is to spread awareness of pro-life issues in the Richmond area. Our members are involved in direct services to protect and promote human life, providing public information and education, and public policy advocacy.

Our group began as a small pro-life group at a local church. We have now grown significantly with over 200 members and have received support from many parishes of different denominations throughout the Richmond-metro area. We are an ecumenical group and have asked for support from all denominations and faiths.

The Richmond Coalition for Life organized, promoted and led the Richmond 40 Days for Life campaign last fall. Hundreds of pro-lifers in Richmond and Central Virginia participated in this peaceful, prayerful, pro-life campaign. Participants prayed in shifts 24 hours a day for 40 days outside of the abortion clinic at Boulevard and Grove in Richmond. We worked to protect and promote human life by praying for the women and men entering the clinic and the doctors and nurses employed there. Many participants counseled women entering the clinic and gave them informative handouts on pro-life alternatives to abortion, many of which were supplied by the Pregnancy Resource Center of Richmond. The next 40 Days for Life campaign will take place this fall. Whether you pray from home or join us for the vigil outside the Richmond clinic, we can use your support. Please check this blog in the future for dates of the campaign and how to sign up for the vigil. Plus, we will be "live blogging" during the entire 4o days of the campaign with updates, testimonies and much more.

In addition to providing pro-life literature to women entering the clinic, we also provide information to the public regarding the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. We provide literature to churches and also work to help promote the Pregnancy Resource Center. We have raised money for the center through the Baby Bottle Campaign during Lent and we have also supported their annual Walk for Life.

The members of our organization promote public policy on behalf of human life by attending the annual Advocacy Day at the General Assembly. We also promote the Virginia Catholic Conference and encourage members and participants to sign up for VCC e-mail alerts.

We are also currently working to bring “Choose Life” specialty license plates to Virginia. Proceeds will go to benefit non-profit pregnancy resource centers throughout the state. In addition, we promoted the pro-life movie Bella to the public last fall. We were able to secure a theater and provide a showing of the movie free-of-charge for hundreds of people. We are also currently planning an educational workshop on pro-life issues, sidewalk counseling and ecumenical, pro-life prayer for September. Check back in the future for many more details on this wonderful program!

If you would like to join our group or support our effort financially, you can do so by sending us an email. And, as always, we welcome your prayers. Thank you for your interest in the Richmond Coalition for Life!