California Catholic Daily

[Return to Article] This printable article is taken from www.calcatholic.com

Published: May 11, 2009

“There were two guards standing in front of Planned Parenthood, one armed with a 9mm pistol”

Three days of prayer aid San Diego pro-lifers as security guards at abortion centers become increasingly aggressive

News from the Trenches

The prayers started on Thursday, April 30, at St. Ephrem Church in El Cajon. Pro-lifers from around the county gathered for Adoration, Benediction, and a candlelight Rosary procession to the Mariam Mother of Life Shrine. Fr. Nabil Mouaness led a meditative pro-life Rosary for the protection of the unborn before the towering statue of Mary. Fr. Nabil spoke of the importance of prayer, and that we should never give up praying for the unborn, even when we feel unworthy for our prayers to be heard because of distractions, or a lack of attentiveness.

The following day, Fr. Carl Gismondi told parishioners at St. Anne Church to pray in support of the sidewalk counselors and prayer warriors who would be in front of the abortion mills that Saturday morning. On Saturday morning, pro-lifers with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima processed from our Lady of the Rosary Church in downtown San Diego to Planned Parenthood, where more than 40 people faced the killing center and prayed three Rosaries for the protection of the unborn and their mothers from the horrors of abortion.

As if expecting trouble, there were two guards standing in front of Planned Parenthood, one armed with a 9mm pistol. The armed guard scowled at the group as they prayed, perhaps unnerved by the size of the group praying directly toward him. Across town at the same time, about a dozen prayer warriors, including some children, lined up in front of Family Planning Associates, where sidewalk counselors David, Terry, and Luis felt the power of three days of prayers backing them up.

After dropping off a prayer warrior in front of FPA, Luis spotted a car with Mexican plates parking in the lot in front of the mill. A middle-aged woman and a girl in her late teens emerged from the car. Luis drove up to them and gave them information on the abortionist’s record of gross negligence, and in Spanish, suggested they go consult with a good doctor at Culture of Life Family Services. The teen seemed more receptive than the woman accompanying her, who he assumed was her mother. He also gave them a Rosary, but they decided to start walking to the mill. Terry intercepted them, but they continued in.

Only a few minutes after arriving, David was at the western-most driveway when a couple drove in and stopped for him. He explained the abortionist’s record and why they should read the information about him before going into the clinic. He told them not to rush into anything, and to think about it over the weekend and seek competent help and advice from COLFS. They did not say much, but were attentive. They drove in and parked, but did not leave the car. After about 10 minutes, they drove away. About an hour later, Terry took over the northwest driveway and was able to stop several cars before they drove in to park. As one couple pulled in with a young child in the backseat, she went to hand the husband information listing the history of medical malpractice, gross negligence, etc. of the abortionist. He abruptly said to her, "We don't want that stuff.” Reaching right over him, his wife said, "The hell we don't! Give me that information," and pulled it right out of Terry’s hand. They both read the pamphlet and the wife entered the mill.

About two minutes later, the previously irate husband walked over to Terry with his little girl in the stroller. Sensing his feelings of awkwardness, Terry smiled, introduced herself and asked him his name and that of his little girl, then said, "The information I gave your wife on the horrific medical history of the abortionist was very important, but only part of the problem with this place." He quickly told her his wife was only at FPA for an ultra-sound. She replied, "And what if you find she's pregnant?" He looked uncomfortable and said, "We don't know." Without asking him what he meant by that, Terry said, "I am sure you're a good father to ‘H.’ Can you imagine ever saying that about ‘H’ (his little girl), now?" He looked nervous and shocked and said emphatically, "No!” Then she said, "How can you say that, now, about the little boy or girl your wife may be carrying inside her who needs you just as much, if not more, to protect him or her?" After further discussion about all their alternatives, he said he and his wife would go to either COLFS or one of the pregnancy centers to get counseling and get competent care. Not ten minutes later, she came out, got in the car and they left.

A while later, a young man who was only going to the ATM took a Rosary from Terry, and was quite attentive and responsive to all the information she gave him, because he said neither of his parents had given him a religion or faith to believe in. Meanwhile, the overzealous security guard who was trying to disrupt the efforts of David and Luis at the main driveway, left them and walked toward Terry, demanding that she move. After she ignored him, he said something sarcastic that led her to believe he was going to call the police. A few minutes later the squad car entered the main driveway, and an officer spoke with Luis. The officer was very cordial. He asked him what they were doing. Luis explained how we counsel women about the gross negligence record of the doctor at this facility and about options such as adoption. He said that we had a right to do what we were doing as long we did not block the driveway.

Another squad car came with a female officer, and both drove over to the other side of the parking lot to speak with Terry. The first officer asked Terry how she was, and then said, "You are not doing anything wrong. Just don't jump out in the middle and get run over.” The officer added that he told the security guard that he could be liable if he continued to harass the sidewalk counselors needlessly. They drove back toward Luis and observed him for a few minutes. Apparently satisfied, they drove off.

A few minutes later a car with the logo of the security guard company on its door pulled into the driveway. The driver identified himself as the boss of the aggressive security guard. He apologized to Luis for the actions of his “overzealous” employee. Then he drove off across the lot to speak with the guard. A while later, the supervisor of the guards drove in and told Terry he spoke to the guard and told him, "Look, they are nice people just doing their job." Further instructing the guard he said, "Remember, you only take orders from me. Don't call the police again!" He then apologized to Terry for the guard's over exuberant and hostile behavior.

When Terry left, FPA's guard was smiling, trying to get her attention, visibly relieved. When she said good-bye and waved back, he actually looked joyful.

What a miraculous and blessed day it was at FPA, with two turn-arounds! Thanks be to God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the dozens of people who prayed for the unborn this week. Please continue to pray for "C" and his wife that they continue to choose life for their unborn baby and for the other couple who David spoke with that turned around without having an abortion. Please also pray for "C," the young man who said he would read the booklet about the Rosary and begin to pray (a little at a time), even considering giving Catholicism a try. Please pray for the conversion of all the young women who had abortions and for the conversion of the abortionist, Robert Santella.

-- Roger, David, Terry, & Luis

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