Yesterday afternoon I went to work. Yes, that’s too bad. But if I had not gone to work, I would not have been in downtown Ottawa. And when the reminder (bing!) of the conclusion of 40 Days of Life came up, I might have said–it’s too far away, I’m not going.
I might not have met, then, with about one thousand others, standing silently in the cold night with candles outside the Bank Street abortion clinic at six pm last night.
The long procession wound it’s way in complete silence to St. Pat’s church on Kent. There will be no room for wondering about how many came, because the church was full. So however many people fit into St. Pat’s–that’s how many came out to stand up for an end to abortion at the Bank Street clinic, in Ottawa, in Canada.
There’s a strength and a peace in silent protest, in the unity of people, young, old, families–shuffling forward. And the Mass inside the church was beautiful–guitar music and singing, a call for humility, for continued prayers to end abortion, and a welcome for all who are not Catholic. (Speaking as one of those, I did feel welcome.)
This was an encouraging event. (Interesting, as a small aside, was the man wearing a large Barack Obama t-shirt, with a cross around his neck, too. I think he was making some sort of point.)
And the point of my story, is, of course, that we should all work on Sundays. Ok, not really. My point is that we should, at least in small moments, feel hopeful because an end to abortion is possible.
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Andrea updates: Fair report of the event, here.
by 
It was very beautiful – I was there too. I was amazed at the quiet of the procession and the time before Mass started. I’m glad you felt welcome. It was a hope-filled, quietly joyful, reflective celebration. There was a sense that our work isn’t done yet, but that great strides have been made. At the very least, many people walking by over the past several weeks were made aware of what happens on the third floor of 65 Bank St. here in Ottawa. Hopefully it won’t be going on for much longer. (The count from the procession was 444, but I’m sure there were many more at the church who weren’t in the procession.)
Below is a letter I wrote that was published in our local paper a few days before the election)
Last Sunday, for the first time in my life, I decided to participate in the “Life –Chain.” If you are wondering what that is about, about 50 of us stood along King George Road holding up signs opposing abortion. To the motorists who honked their horns indicating support: Thank you. To the odd one who shouted obscenities or raised their middle finger: our sympathy with your ignorance. Your actions say more about you than about us.
Isn’t it strange how people who oppose the death penalty are often the same ones who think it is perfectly OK to kill an innocent unborn baby? Go figure! Needless to say we don’t vote for political parties or candidates holding such views.
Why did I decide to take part in the life-chain this time? Because I am severely ticked off about the decision to give Dr. Morgentaler the Order of Canada. Isn’t it ironic that this Jew, who survived the holocaust, lived to create his own? As such I had made my own sign showing the order, the name Morgentaler, and a Canadian flag upside down as a sign of distress.
I further find it strange that not ONE word was said about this in the election campaign, which has deteriorated in to name-calling and promises we all know will be broken. As for the results, I don’t think there will be much change, because nobody talked about serious issues that Canadians are wondering about.