40 Days for Life participants gather for a photo on a Honolulu sidewalk where they pray and advocate for life. (Photo courtesy of Val Streff)
By Val Streff
Special to the Herald
The 40 Days for Life fall campaign ended with a beautiful Mass Nov. 11 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa presided over by the pastor Father Manny Hewe accompanied by Deacon Ray Lamb and Deacon Gary Streff. Deacon Lamb gave a homily on the “preciousness of life.”
40 Days for Life is a 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses.
James Wallace, the new site leader for Hawaii’s 40 Days for Life, marveled at the many people who came together to receive a blessing as they continue their work of praying in front of Planned Parenthood offices.
All human life is to be cherished and defended; tragically abortion rejects this truth.
Anne Shigeta Koch is the driving force gathering people to pray. She belongs to One Love Ministries, a non-denominational church where Pastor Dave Tamala and Kevin Saito dedicate their Saturdays praising and worshipping God with music. Bill Rodrigues, a member of the Knights of Columbus, made it his mission to be out there each week. Sidewalk advocate leader Patrick DeGuzman also brings a group to pray whenever possible. We invite more supporters to come and see the glorious work being done right there on the sidewalks.
James Wallace shared this story, “A young couple with a toddler parked in front of the loading zone, contemplating whether they were going into Planned Parenthood or not. We talked with them, offered a blessing bag and asked if we could pray with them. Soon after, the couple decided not to have the abortion and drove away. This is the kind of gift we love to witness.”
Ruth and Mark Statler, leaders of 40 Days for Life on the Big Island, reported that 40 Days for Life in Hilo concluded with a Thanksgiving Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Pahoa, celebrated by Father John Molina on Nov. 12. They thanked the co-leaders and 31 volunteers who came out each week for an hour or two to pray the rosary along the sidewalk and those who supported the group with prayers from their homes or workplaces.
Ruth said, “We reflect God’s love, bring peace, offer friendship and hope. We hope our prayerful presence in this small area of our sidewalk might make a difference for the unborn and their families. We are grateful to Father John Molina who has been so supportive of our efforts, encouraging volunteers and allowing us to speak about 40 Days for Life in the vicariate. We thank the pastors who opened their parishes to us and allowed us to address their parishioners after Mass. We look forward to the spring campaign which will coincide with Lent 2024.”
The 40 Days for Life campaign brings people of various churches together: One Love, New Hope, Calvary Chapel, and Ka Hale O Hamashiach. Catholics parishes include St. Jude, St. Patrick, Sacred Heart in Waianae, St. John in Mililani, Blessed Sacrament, Mary, Star of the Sea, St. Michael, St. Elizabeth, Resurrection of Our Lord, Sts. Peter and Paul and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe accompany us as we continue to bring the Good News to others.
Val Streff is co-director with her husband Deacon Gary Streff of the diocesan Respect Life Office.
