Jersey Shore Life Link

Late last week, a woman stopped by to share the burden she had been carrying alone for decades. Her visit has left an indelible mark on me. The depth of pain caused by regret and feelings of immense guilt over her abortions when she was young was indescribable. Although God's limitless forgiveness and mercy was shared with her, it was her ability to forgive herself that seemed to be the stumbling block to her own peace and reconciliation.

I can't even imagine the pain that these women are going through when finally the light of truth shines in their hearts and then opens their eyes to the mistake in their decision to abort their child.

Abortion is so diabolical. Good people are deceived or pressured and are often making this life-altering decision under extreme duress to do something totally against their nature. This is not a crime perpetrated by people who are filled with hatred or who lust for blood or power. These are people very much like any of us. This is why abortion has to be so destructive to the lives of the surviving family members of the aborted children.....the temptation to despair because of the feelings of guilt has to be great for those who would never consider themselves violent in any other way.

After hearing the stories of these tortured women in the last few weeks, it is more apparent than ever how much those involved directly in abortion are in need of our prayers to be able to fully experience God's embrace of Mercy and Forgiveness and not despair of their guilt. It makes our devotion of Divine Mercy, in this country of legalized abortion, even more crucial.

Presence at the abortion clinic is not only saving lives of babies, preventing mothers from going through excruciating emotional grief and pain, but is also providing us with an opportunity to be an extension of God's love and mercy to  those in need of healing of a past abortion experience.

NO DEATHS OR LIVES OF MOTHERS & FATHERS RUINED LAST SATURDAY.....abortuary closed for business!! This is the 2nd Saturday in 3 weeks that it has been closed. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord.

Only one woman entered the abortuary today, Good Friday, and she was alone. Only one couple entered yesterday and only 3 entered on Tuesday. Mario and I are noticing a very sharp decline in business since last fall and seems to be shrinking by the week. I pray this is the beginning of the end to this evil business here in Toms River. We can only beg God and pray.

We did witness one young couple enter the parking lot but after a few minutes, they drove out of the parking lot and left. Mario and I both are convinced they left because of the larger crowd of witnesses we had today (17 people who came on Good Friday to this modern calvary and were present beneath the cross of Jesus' little ones). 7 people prayed the entire 4 rosaries.

The 2 abortion clinic staff workers again came out again to hold their "Keep Abortion Legal" signs on the sidewalk facing us. Fortunately, absolutely no clients had come for them to escort in to the building (the lone woman was already in the building).

They only stayed outside 20-30 minutes....long enough for them to be offered a job list and for one of them to take the opportunity to admonish me for bringing my kids to the abortion clinic. She made it quite known that she was extremely upset that I had them there. She said children should not be at this place (something about things being too "adult" for them).

After a brief exchange, the job list was offered again to them and the other young woman came over and took it saying "Thank you." (this young woman has never once been contentious...I have a real fondness for her)

A young woman from the Ocean County Community College stopped by briefly to encourage the presence. She had written a pro-life article for the campus newspaper and was asking questions about the abortuary. 

So much happened today.

As the group of us were beginning our afternoon of witness, 2 of the abortion clinic workers came out of the front entrance, down the stairs, and stood directly facing us on the sidewalk holding large "Keep Abortion Legal" signs. It was very surreal.

Although we later realized that they were there to escort any patients from their cars to the entrance of the clinic in order to block any communication with those of us offering help, there was one blessing that resulted in their sidewalk presence....we were able to speak with them.

Many things were discussed including the harm abortion does to women, especially the indescribable emotional suffering that must result when a mother wakes up one day and realizes that she had taken the life her child, and how they are not only participating in taking life but allowing unspeakable pain to be inflicted on those they believe they are helping. During one discussion on abortion, one of the girls replied "I don't have an opinion on this, I just have to feed my family." When asked why then she was holding the abortion sign she said "Because I was told to." She then was asked if she was comfortable working at this place and again repeated "I have mouths to feed." while the other girl said "I am comfortable here." However, when we inquired if they'd accept our help in finding other employment for them, they both quickly replied "Yes. Thank you. " (previously it was asked if they wouldn't rather work in a place that gives life instead of taking life away....which really struck a nerve with the girl who was not comfortable there)

I am now issuing an APB for all pro-lifers to be on the lookout for any job opportunities for "medical assistants", especially if you know of any pro-life doctors who would be more willing to give these young women a chance to get out of this dark environment. They both are willing to work in any medical speciality, not necessarily gynecology. Please email me at jerseyshorelifelink@live.com if you have any info that can be passed to these young women or pray that someone can find more meaningful and life-affirming work for them. I like to think of this as a rescue mission.

Later in the day, we noticed a man carrying small plastic bags half-filled with reddish-orange fluid and the tell-tale bright orange sticker that was immediately recognized as a "BioHazard" label. He was followed to the PNC parking lot where his LabCorp van was parked (he had to have been directed by the clinic staff to park there instead of the abortion clinic's lot to avoid us...we can't think of any other explanation for parking there, esp. since he came out thru front entrance in full view).

When in his van, he was asked what he was carrying in the small bags and he said that he didn't know. He was reminded that he was carrying material from an abortion clinic and that it could very well be the remains of tiny human beings that he had in his hands. Again the line "I am just doing my job." He clearly was not comfortable...in hindsight, it is uncertain whether he had known he was coming from an abortion clinic until that moment. Before leaving he was told that if those were human beings in the bags, they deserved to be buried in a cemetary and not thrown in some waste disposal after his company was done with them. 

I am still uncertain what the normal operating procedure is for the remains of these tiny human beings less than 14 weeks old who die in a suction aspiration abortion. I have read that the body parts are filtered out of the blood through a mesh bag so that they can be identified immediately afterward to determine the completeness of the abortion so that no body parts remain inside the mother to cause infection. It may be that only  the filtered blood is taken to a pathology lab because there have been reports of mesh bags being found in dumpsters with body parts. It is still unfathomable that our society is this callous to human life.

Today also reminded me of the Nuremburg trials when the SS guards were pressed about their cooperation in the Holocaust by repeatedly stating "I was only following orders." (aka "I was told to." "I am only doing my job.")

We all are in desperate need of the strength and courage to stand up for what is right and defend those who are being victimized by others, irregardless of the personal repercussions. I pray that we all will rise to the challenge when it is asked of us to make substantial self-sacrifice for the cause of justice.  

Thanks be to God, no human beings were killed this past Saturday because the abortuary was completely closed.

It's amazing how stark the contrast between days like today when we see young mothers entering the building to empty their  wombs and a day like Saturday when we can somewhat experience what our community was/will be like when this killing/maiming center was/is not operating. On Saturday, there was still a spiritual heaviness in the atmosphere but it was lifted because no lives were being lost.

It is a reminder how wonderful it will be when this community will be completely free of the inflicted suffering perpetrated from American Women's Center. Although, I've never thought about it until now..... no matter what business will operate there in the future,  651 Route 37 West must always remain a lasting memorial for all the many, many tiny lives that were lost there. From the day the first abortion was performed, that building can never be the same again. 

In the last couple days, there have been 2 separate incidences in which women have approached witnesses outside the clinic to share their personal experiences with abortion.

Tueday, a middle-aged woman was entering the building for a sales visit to the other physicians and stopped to speak with a few of the men witnessing in front of the abortion clinic. She shared with them that her daughter had only recently confessed to her that she had had an abortion 15 years ago. This revelation came in the wake of years of depression, mood swings, and uninstigated emotional outbursts. She said that her daughter is still not over the trama of the abortion despite her attempts at post-abortive healing at various organization because she still is not able to forgive herself. She said the pain this experience has caused her family is tremendous. The witnesses gave her brochures for Rachel's Vineyard and other numbers to give to her daughter for possible additional help.

Yesterday, a couple was driving down Route 37 and became agitated when they read a sign held by one of the witnesses "Many children killed here". They stopped the car, got out, and approached some of the witnesses, voicing their opposition to the sign. It was revealed during the conversation that this young woman had an abortion a few years ago when she was 18...she said she was alone with no means of support and her family threatened to kick her out of the house. The sign had reminded her of this event because she had seen a similar one at the clinic where she had gotten the abortion. She felt she had no other choice and even to this day felt that her decision was the right one. But, it was obvious to the witnesses that she was suppressing deep-seated emotions and was encouraged by them to seek healing through one of the post-abortive programs, and was offered whatever help the witnesses could give. They were also given Catholic literature because the young woman had been Catholic. They parted with hugs and kisses. But before they left, they confronted the witness holding the sign, and it was then that she began crying. Quite possibly, and we can only hope, the road to healing has truly begun for this young couple.

Even our presence at the killing center can be a vehicle for much needed healing. In a society that leads families to believe that aborting ones child is the solution to any problem, our witness gives opportunities for those who have experienced abortion to express their pain openly which may then lead to real healing.

Let us pray that the Lord of Life shower these women and families with a tangible sense of His mercy and forgiveness. We pray that all women who have experienced abortions experience the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus and find immediate peace and healing in their lives, especially through the loving concern of others.

Today, we witnessed yet another example of how deeply entrenched this country is becoming in the Culture of Death and how inaccurate this widescale euphenism of "choice" is becoming. We also were given the wonderful opportunity of seeing hope in action.

A young woman was told by her rehab program that either she get an abortion to kill her child or go back to prison because she is not allowed to be pregnant while in the program. A lawyer from the Legal Center for the Defense of Life in Morrisville was immediately contacted for advice while the mother was inside the abortion clinic. The lawyer said that this ultimatum is completely unconstitutional (but sadly not unusual) and that the Legal Center had already helped other woman in the same situation transfer to other rehab programs that respected her and the life of her baby. They also are able to supply needed medical help for her. The lawyer offered to speak directly to her probation officer to start the transfer immediately, if she wanted his help.

The problem ---- she was already going through the abortion prep and her companion was unable to get the info to her. We all could only wait....and pray.

Thanks be to God, the mother came out with her baby in her womb! She had been told by clinic staff that they were unable to perform the abortion b/c she was too far along. The information on the help the Legal Center could provide was given to her. With the Legal Centers help, this mother now feels she has much hope. We now pray that she will take the steps necessary to transfer to a new rehab program.

Although it is utterly disappointing to discover how coercive these government-run programs are, the generosity of many who (like the lawyers at the legal center who work pro-bono) give assistance to pregnant women in need shines forth much goodness in this society. 

It should give us all reasons to hope.

The devastating ripple effects of abortion extend farther and farther than anyone will ever know. Today we witnessed the pain and suffering from one of the most forgotten victims of this violent act--the father of the baby. 

The heartbreak this father was experiencing as he paced the outside of the death center was so tangible....and so heartbreaking. When one of our most faithful defenders, Bob, had arrived at 8:30, the father was already outside and had immediately told Bob that he had tried everything to talk the mother out of coming there. Bob was able to give him words of encouragement and help available although we have been told previously by other fathers that they were restricted from seeing the mothers inside, especially if they showed any signs of ambivalence or disagreement with the mother's "choice". Sadly, we knew it was unlikely the information would get to her if she was already in seclusion. 

So....the father waited......and waited......for the death of his child.

As he was walking by the sidewalk Bob, with extreme concern, asked him how it was going, the father shook his head and lifted his hand---he couldn't suppress the tears any longer. I was able to approach him and let him know that he didn't have to go through this alone. Among other things, I gave him the address of the Open Door and told him that there was a wonderful support system there especially for fathers in his situation.

It wasn't long after, we saw him walk down Route 37 and disappear. We wonder if he walked to Open Door right then and there....so great was his pain.

Seeing the suffering that this killing center causes makes those of us who stand in the gap even more determined to do whatever we can to stop it. Besides the continued storming of Heaven and pleading for God's help, we are brainstorming ways to arouse the Christian community to come together and do all they can to stop this slaugther. The apathy and indifference from so-called Christians, even within the clergy, to this bloodshed and suffering is alarming.

Dr. Taylor, the abortionist on Tuesdays, seems to have been bothered too much by George's gentle invitations to stop the killing and come to the side of Life. He is now parking at the PNC Bank and going in thru the back door to avoid him completely. George has an incredibly gentle nature and says things with such sincerity and lack of malice that it would be difficult for anyone not to be somewhat affected. He and Bob have said they will now stand in front of the building by Route 37 and just a short distance from the back door to continue holding their signs and persuading Dr. Taylor to have a change of heart. (George said he's going to tell Dr. Taylor, as he's sneaking in thru the back door, that he can't hide from God and that God knows what he is doing) We continue to pray for all the abortion doctors and for all the staff inside.

I needed this prayer from Fr. Frank Pavone today after all the obstacles we've been facing in trying to stop the slaughter and transform the apathy and indifference throughout our churches.

Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels
of hope to all around us, especially to those who
minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage
in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the
peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody
can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our
Lord, Amen.