{"id":1259,"date":"2012-10-06T20:46:00","date_gmt":"2012-10-06T20:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/miscarriages-prompt-catholic-mom-to-lead-ecumenical-pro-life-vigil-in-anchorage\/"},"modified":"2012-10-06T20:46:00","modified_gmt":"2012-10-06T20:46:00","slug":"miscarriages-prompt-catholic-mom-to-lead-ecumenical-pro-life-vigil-in-anchorage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2012\/10\/miscarriages-prompt-catholic-mom-to-lead-ecumenical-pro-life-vigil-in-anchorage\/","title":{"rendered":"Miscarriages prompt Catholic mom to lead ecumenical pro-life vigil in Anchorage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Anchorage, Alaska, Oct 6, 2012 \/ 02:46 pm (CNA<\/a>).- As if being a homeschooling mother of five kids under the age of eight isn\u2019t enough, Megan Walsted has taken on the task of leading 40 Days for Life, the annual prayer vigil to end abortion which is taking place this year from Sept. 26 to Nov. 4.<\/p>\n

\tWalsted, who has been involved with several previous vigils, embraced the leadership role this year because, as she said, \u201cIt was time for a Catholic to step up. We are pro-life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tSince its beginning in 2004 in Texas, when only a handful of cities and towns participated, this year\u2019s ecumenical prayer vigil will be the largest ever, taking place in 314 locations throughout the United States, Canada and several other countries. Anchorage participants will gather at the offices of Planned Parenthood, 4001 Lake Otis Parkway.<\/p>\n

\tAcross the nation, efforts by prayerful participants in the past have resulted in fewer abortions, the closing of several abortion clinics and healing for women who have undergone past abortions, according to the 40 Days for Life website.<\/p>\n

\tINSPIRED TO ACTION<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\tWalsted, a parishioner of Anchorage\u2019s Holy Family Cathedral, said her passion for 40 Days for Life grew out of her own experience of three miscarriages between the births of her fourth and fifth children. While she came to terms with the death of the first baby in her womb and contemplated undergoing a procedure to remove the body \u2014 known as dilation and curettage \u2014 she was struck by the irony of how that same procedure is often used for the abortion of a living unborn baby.<\/p>\n

\tWalsted reflected on the personhood of the child she lost and of those elsewhere who would be aborted. After two subsequent miscarriages she realized that God used those losses to spiritually change her. She felt as if voting pro-life simply wasn\u2019t enough, that she needed to literally get out on the sidewalk. It was a pivotal moment in her life, she said.<\/p>\n

\tContent initially to pray and fast with others during previous vigils, she took on the leadership role this year when the former director moved to the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska. Walsted hopes to bring a vibrant Catholic presence to the upcoming campaign, which began Sept. 26.<\/p>\n

\tECUMENICAL EFFORT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\tIn keeping with its ecumenical roots, a rally with participating churches will be held midway through the campaign on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood, Walsted said.<\/p>\n

\tThe organizers have contacted 21 Catholic and Protestant churches throughout Anchorage, many of which are past supporters of the campaign. The ecumenical community has offered tremendous support to the vigil and is expected to do so again. Several Catholic churches have committed to the vigil with volunteers signing up to spend at least an hour in prayer at the site.<\/p>\n

\tAt Holy Family Cathedral, the Knights of Columbus have stepped up with material support as well with offers of water and refreshments for participants. Walsted is hoping for increased participation from Catholic churches in the Anchorage area. Her goal is to have every Catholic parish represented. She has contacted each of them, asking churches to adopt a specific day, citing the example of St. Patrick Church in Anchorage, which has chosen each of the Sundays during the campaign when volunteer parishioners will take their place on the sidewalk. A minimum of 24 people is needed for each day \u2014 at least two per hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the campaign\u2019s duration.<\/p>\n

\tWhile Walsted\u2019s focus is on the involvement of the Catholic community, she is quick to emphasize that abortion \u201cis a human issue, not a denominational issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tSTEPPING OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\tAs a veteran of several campaigns, Walsted said, \u201cStanding on the sidewalk is one of the hardest things I have done in my life. It is uncomfortable and cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tBut she added, \u201cI think we need to get scared, uncomfortable, imagine what it\u2019s like for the baby. I\u2019d rather be uncomfortable than have a baby killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMany passing drivers give the \u201cthumbs up,\u201d Walsted said. A few choose to extend another digit and infrequently shout obscenities or confront participants. The majority of drivers, however, silently pass by and \u201cpretend they don\u2019t see you,\u201d Walsted said.<\/p>\n

\tWhile Walsted has never been approached, some others have, by women who have said, \u201cI am keeping mine,\u201d referring to their unborn child.<\/p>\n

\tShe clarified that the vigil is not a protest.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWhat we are doing is praying to end abortion,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\tIf she can get one person to reflect on their own life and that of an unborn child, she has her reward.<\/p>\n

\tWalsted acknowledged that family life can be busy and unpredictable but that it is important to be open and generous regarding pro-life work.<\/p>\n

\tIn fact, it is her own children who inspire who to do pro-life advocacy \u2014 work for which she makes the time when others say they do not have any. She wants her kids to know how deeply she values them and all children.<\/p>\n

\tPosted with permission from Catholic Anchor<\/a>, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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