News

Peaceful pro-life prayer vigil to start on Tuesday

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

	Prayer vigil What: 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil When: 24 hours a day, rain or shine, May 9 through June 18 Where: Outside the Medical Arts Building, 704 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay Why: Abortions are performed in the building Start: Starts May 9 with a noon prayer service at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral led by Bp. David Zubik, followed by a procession to the clinic Information: www.40daysforlifegb.com or 1-888-543-3080
	Related article: from April 28, 2006 issue: • Forty Days for Life Prayer Vigil planned for Green Bay

Sometimes the reasons an individual or family becomes involved with pro-life issues isn't complicated, said Lori Koschnick of Newton. Koschnick is the planner for the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil scheduled May 9 through June 18 outside the Medical Arts Building in Green Bay.

She, husband Eric and their three children "have always been pro-life. We voted pro-life" and participated in pro-life activities, she said.

"We just assumed that so many other people were already doing it," she continued. "We didn't really understand there was a need for more people to get involved."

She recalled attending a pro-life demonstration in Madison in 2001, expecting to find thousands of other people. Instead, she said, they "were really shocked" at how few people took part. That reality spurred them to become involved.

Since then, the family became more involved with Manitowoc County right-to-life groups and the Respect Life group at their parish, St. Francis of Assisi, Manitowoc. Koschnick has helped with Choose Life rallies at Roncalli High School, Manitowoc, the past two years, assisted by her oldest daughter, Allison, 17, a Roncalli senior.

Allison and sister Valerie, 14, work on summer brat fries sponsored by Respect Life groups. The Koschnicks have a son, Luke, 4.

Koschnick said she prays periodically with the Shield of Roses outside the Medical Arts Building, 704 S. Webster Ave., the only place in Green Bay where abortions are done. Shield of Roses participants pray three complete rosaries from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturdays "for conversion of hearts."

It was after one such morning of prayer that the Koschnicks and others began brainstorming about the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil.

Koschnick said a friend told her about two such vigils in Texas - Sept. 1 to Oct. 10, 2004, in Bryan-College Station, Texas, and Dec. 12, 2004 to Jan. 22, 2005 in Dallas. The Green Bay vigil will be the third in the nation.

Organizing committee members include the Green Bay Diocesan staff, the Knights of Columbus, Pro-Life Wisconsin, Wisconsin Right to Life and the A&A Alexandrina Center, Green Bay.

Because the vigil is an ecumenical effort, Koschnick said invitations to participate have been sent to churches and other pro-life groups.

The vigil "will be very peaceful and very prayerful," Koschnick said. No groups known for showing graphic imagery or for being confrontational have been invited. Participants must all sign peace statements and may not have graphic images on their clothing or on signs.

Two people at a time will pray around the clock on the sidewalk outside the Medical Arts Building, both for safety reasons and because Christ promised that he would be in their midst whenever two or more were gathered in his name, Koschnick said. Committee members will also be present at all times.

She said the vigil will be held in Green Bay rather than other places where abortions are performed because people from many other communities come to see doctors at the Medical Arts Building and may not know what goes on there.

The vigil committee has received help from both Texas vigil groups. Shawn Carney of Brazos Valley Vigil, organizers of the event in Bryan-College Station, will attend the opening prayer service May 9 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and then join the walk to the clinic.

Koschnick said Carney will talk about the Bryan-College Station experience and how the community grew from it. She said Carney has said participants will be surprised at the blessings they will receive.

Individuals and groups who cannot pray in Green Bay have been asked to show their support through prayer and fasting. Guidelines to healthy fasting are on the vigil website, www.40daysforlifegb.com.

Koschnick said she received an e-mail from Scotland from someone who said that six friends will pray a rosary daily for the vigil.

On Sunday, May 28, there will be a Festival for Life with speakers, musicians, games, clowns and food at Baird Place, Webster and E. Mason streets, across from the Medical Arts Building. Koschnick described the event as a "re-energizer." It will begin at 1 p.m. with an ecumenical prayer service.