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40 Days for Life founder visits Richmond

By Ann Niermeyer
Special to The Catholic Virginian

David Bereit, the national campaign director for 40 Days for Life, came to Richmond Oct. 28 to meet with organizers and volunteers.

It was day 35 of the national 40-day prayer vigil.

Despite the cool, windy weather, about 18 people came out to the abortion clinic at the corner of Grove Avenue and the Boulevard to greet Mr. Bereit who had just returned from Indiana, and was on his way to Florida. He explained why he “had to stop in Richmond during the 40 Days for Life campaign.”

It was with the pro-life group at St. Benedict Church where he made his very first presentation promoting a national 40 Days for Life campaign, to begin in the fall of 2007.

The response of that small group at St. Benedict’s was so encouraging that Mr. Bereit, a resident of Fredericksburg, believed that the campaign would have more than two dozen cities participate in the first national vigil.

Instead, over 80 cities in more than 30 states joined that first 40 Days for Life campaign; and Richmond was on board from the beginning.

This fall Richmond was one of over 170 cities in the United States and Canada to participate in the national campaign. And Richmond has a connection to the international growth of the movement. In Ottawa, Canada, pro-life people used the Richmond-produced 40 Days for Life video posted on YouTube by Karey Nobles to promote the campaign in Ottawa.

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that has three components: prayer and fasting to end abortion, a constant, peaceful prayer vigil outside a place where children are aborted, and community outreach.

The 40-day campaign parallels Biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals and communities. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ’s resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of His people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge.

Glen and Lori Sturtevant, parishioners at St. Benedict, have been the organizers for the Richmond 40 Days for Life campaigns.

“When David Bereit came to St. Benedict in the summer of 2007 to talk to us about the 40 Days for Life Campaign, our small group looked at each other and said, ‘Why shouldn’t we participate?’” Lori said.

“We realized that God was calling us to do this but our next thought was, ‘How are we going to do this?’

“Well, God works in miraculous ways and our group is now over 300 members strong.”

The St. Benedict’s pro-life group expanded to people of all faiths and was renamed the Richmond Coalition for Life.

“Our purpose,” Lori says, “is to come together as people of God and pray for an end to abortion.

“Our group is peaceful, prayerful, and we do not intimidate people or hold graphic signs,” she continued. “Our peaceful approach has allowed us to counsel women entering the clinic and help them in a loving, Christ-like way.” Last year, Michelle Liewehr, a St. Benedict’s parishioner, counseled a young woman entering the clinic.

Michelle helped her choose life for her baby and continued the relationship.

The young mother gave birth this past May and Richmond Coalition for Life members brought her dinner and baby items. During this fall’s 40 Days for Life Campaign this young mother and her little baby came out to the clinic with Michelle to try to help other women choose life.

“I believe that the pro-life movement is taking a new direction,” Lori says. “We are committed to helping women realize God’s love for them and their child.”

This approach is working, as over 500 babies were saved from abortions during this fall’s national campaign.

In addition to the prayerful vigil, the Richmond Coalition for Life has brought the pro-life movie “Bella” to the Byrd Theater and they are currently working to get “Choose Life” license plates in Virginia.

Lori says, “Our ultimate goal is for abortion to end in our world. However, until that happens, we will continue making small steps to promote a culture of life in our community. Each and every life is sacred — because without life, there is nothing.”

For more information on the group, please visit the blog at www.richmondcoalitionforlife.blogspot.com.

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