PROVIDENCE — More than 30 people turned out on a holiday weekend last Saturday for a Day of Prayer outside the Planned Parenthood facility near downtown Providence, as part of a national day of protest organized in support of defunding the organization.
The event was co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Life and Family’s Human Life Guild Board, the 40 Days for Life Committee, and Rhode Island Right to Life.
Rather than protest, the focus in Providence was on prayer. Carol Owens, director of the Human Life Guild, as well as director of the diocesan Office of Life and Family Ministry, which is supported through the annual Catholic Charity Appeal, offered the opening prayer. About half a dozen others active in the diocese and the pro-life movement also offered prayers throughout the event. They asked for healing and mercy for all those victimized by the abortion industry — not just unborn children, but also for the mothers, fathers, grandparents, and yes, even for those who perform abortions.
Barth Bracy, executive director of Rhode Island Right to Life and the emcee for the event, called attention to those who are “trapped in the abortion industry.” “We’re here for you; we’re praying for you, and if you ever want to reach out we are here for you,” Bracy said, facing the front entrance to the Planned Parenthood facility across the street.
“The main purpose of these events is to raise awareness of the heinous abuse of the unborn. People tend to forget that abortion is the earliest and most fundamental attack on human rights. Abortion is one of the greatest injustices of our society. And, in the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’” Owens told Rhode Island Catholic. “A mother’s womb should be a place where the smallest and the most vulnerable of God’s children is protected and nurtured, yet a woman’s womb has turned into a place of violence,” Owens added.
Among those who participated in offering prayers were: Michael Kryzwonos, a member of the Human Life Guild Board and 40 Days for Life chairperson; Charles Alexyon; Jean Ernster, a Human Life Guild Board Member; Lisa Cooley, a St. Gabriel’s Call assistant; Marge Pike, a Human Life Guild Board Member; Kim Costa, a Gabriel Angel volunteer; and Joe Clossick.
“Today I commit myself never to be silent, never to be passive, never to be forgetful of the unborn,” Costa said in her prayer.
Her prayer was followed by the singing of a version of “We Shall Overcome,” led by Victor Bergeron, who runs a local music ministry, The Heart of Worship, with his wife Monica, both are parishioners at St. Patrick’s in Providence.
Father Brian Sistare, the pastor of Sacred Heart in Woonsocket, also spoke and prayed before the gathering.
“We’re singing, we’re praying, we’re doing more than just holding signs so people can see we’re actually praying. We’re praying for the light to come into souls, especially the mothers and the fathers that they choose life, even for all the people in the pink shirts. They’ve been wounded in some way, that’s why they’re standing here with Planned Parenthood,” Sistare said, referring to approximately 20 Planned Parenthood Supporters who flanked the main entrance and were across the street.
During her remarks, Owens also announced to anyone within earshot that there is help for those who are recovering from an abortion, especially women.
“We are here to help you. You have no idea the number of calls, the number of people that have come our way at the Diocese of Providence who have suffered, have experienced the aftermath, the impact of abortion,” Owens said. “We have dealt with women who leave this building five, 10 years, 25 years later. I’ve even had two calls from women who are in nursing homes that are still suffering the aftermath of their abortion experience. That’s why we’re here today.”
The event drew committed pro-lifers from across the state, most holdings signs quoting Scripture or urging passersby to choose life.
Joe Clossick, of St. Assisi Church in Wakefield, came up with his wife Sharon and daughter Bridget. It was the first time he had been to a pro-life event since college. He said he was motived to come because of the recent videos depicting Planned Parenthood selling body parts of aborted babies.
The couple also wanted to set an example for their daughter, who recently wrote an essay arguing against abortion for a class in her middle school. “We wanted to show her there is something you can do about it and get her more involved,” Sharon Clossick said.
Another participant, Priscilla Terry, of Cranston, also said the Planned Parenthood videos sparked her to action. “I recently retired. I’ve been praying for God to lead me to do His will in something whether it’s paid or unpaid and the pro-life movement is one of them,” she said. “The fact that those videos came out this summer really lit a fire under me.”
A Protestant, Terry said she felt welcome at the event and planned to return to future days of prayer.
The Day of Prayer concluded with the rosary, led by Tyler Rowley, the president of Servants of Christ for Life.
Owens said another Day of Prayer is planned for December 19, to again coincide with another nationwide Day of Protest. She said the theme will be the “empty manger.” The event will feature Christmas caroling, prayer and witnessing.
