Un des jumeaux de Daniella.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

Enceinte et Inquiète – This week, Daniella gave birth to her twin. Mother and children are doing well. (see pics)

Photos of Daniella's twin babies.

40 Days for Life – The 40-day prayer vigil for the end of abortion ended this past Sunday, November 3, 2024. Since Wednesday, September 25, 2024, we were present near one of the two abortion facilities in the eastern township community of Sherbrooke. Between five and six prayer volunteers came regularly to witness for life. On the last day, we held a small memorial prayer near the abortion centre for the victims of abortion. We then moved on to a local church for a roundup of the 40-day experience. At this time, we were blessed to have a woman share about her nursing experience of caring for mothers and new borns in the obstetrics unit of a local hospital. She also shared how she complemented her nursing training with a midwife course, learning other techniques that she had been hitherto unaware of, and which helped her further her work at the neonatal unit.

Vigil 365 – I returned to the streets of Montreal this past Monday morning, continuing the Vigil 365 program, being joined by the stalwarts present during my absence – Céline, Junior, and Mary. Of note was an exchange which occurred this morning. While praying with Mary, we were approached by a young man, mid-twenties, whose initially expressed disagreement with the message printed on the sign hanging around my neck: “Pray for the end of abortion.” He defended the need for abortions because, he argued, humans make mistakes and need means to correct these. He added that he had had a sexual encounter which resulted in a pregnancy. He recognized the foolishness of his action and being young man without the means to start a family, the child was aborted. In response, I pointed to the sign worn by Mary indicating support for an unplanned pregnancy. To my surprise, he congratulated us on this initiative and pulled out of his pocket a $5 bill which he promptly gave to me. He then walked away with a young woman who had been accompanying him.

Brian Jenkins.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

Many blessings are being received at this fall’s prayer vigil for the end of abortion in Sherbrooke.

Since the vigil began this past Wednesday, September 25, a small yet devoted group of men and women have been maintaining a prayerful presence in this Eastern Township community, near the abortion facility located on Belvedere Street on the southern side of the city.

Particularly meritorious is the outreach that is being done. Outside the abortion facility’s operating hours, volunteers frequently gather a five-minute walk away at the busy intersection of Belvedere and Galt Streets to carry the pro-life message to the rush-hour commuters and weekend shoppers, and they are doing so with remarkable success.

For example, on one evening while in discussion with a local itinerant, I was approached by a young man who seemed genuinely sincere to understand how I can encourage others to pray for the end of abortion. (These are the words inscribed upon the sign that hangs around my neck.)

Barbara Bonner (left) taking part in the Vigil 365, October 2022.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition)

This past Thanksgiving Monday, one of the Quebec Life Coalition more enthousiastic supporters was called home to our Heavenly Father. Barbara Bonner died peacefully surrounded by family at the Saint Gabriel Palliative care centre in Montreal.

Over the twelve or so years I have been part of Montreal’s pro-life movement, Barbara was present at various and numerous occasions. She played an integral part of the annual corn-on-the-cob event at our offices, coordinating the preparation of the corn. She participated regularly in the outdoor prayer vigils for the end of abortion, from the initial moments when we prayed on St. Joseph Blvd in 2009 and then moving with us to the Berri and St. Catherine Streets site. And she did exemplary work replacing me a year ago to coordinate the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil while I did likewise in Sherbrooke.

The following personal testimony from Denis Beaudoin, another volunteer with QLC, aptly describes how we all felt about Barbara.

A Eulogy for Barbara Bonner, by Denis Beaudoin

Barbara, a devout Catholic and deeply involved volunteer in the Pro-Life cause, passed away this past Thanksgiving Monday. Barbara was a genuinely nice person, and I loved her very much. Always smiling, with her great interpersonal skills, she sometimes led us into interesting discussions on spiritual matters and the lives of the saints. She took on the responsibility of making the calls to ensure a presence of praying volunteers at the 40 Days for Life in Montreal last fall (2023), Brian being at the 40 Days for Life Vigil in Sherbrooke. I am going to miss seeing her. I am going to miss those discussions at the Second Cup on Saint-Denis Street after prayer time. Many people knew her better than I did, and appreciated this simple, pious woman of faith. Let us pray for her, her family, and her friends. Directly to Heaven? - Here's a text message I received: “While she (Barbara’s sister) was praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, at the end Barbara passed silently away!” According to St. Faustina Kowalska's diary, when the Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited at the bedside of a dying person, the soul goes straight to Heaven, without Judgment and without passing through Purgatory.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) – Photo: goodluz/Adobe Stock

Sherbrooke – I've travelled to this eastern township community to bring the pro-life message for the next forty-days.

This is my fourth foray, having first come here in the fall of 2020 and every fall since and always for forty days.

The principal reason for coming to Sherbrooke is to coordinate the 40-day prayer vigil for the end of abortion. This is a twelve-hour daily activity, from 7am to 7pm, for forty consecutive days. While praying and offering love and support to abortion-bound mothers near one of the two local abortion facilities, those who accompany me also offer an educational facet to men and women who stop to exchange with us on the topic of abortion.

In addition, I have gathered locals over the past years to form Life Chains. This is a one-hour activity held on the first Sunday of October every year, from 2pm to 3pm. The next Life Chain is set for Sunday, October 6, 2024, and so far, 21 separate chains are getting ready to voice support in the public right of way in the province for the protection of unborn life.

By Joanne of Arc for Quebec Life Coalition - Photo: Joanne of Arc

This fall, hundreds of communities across North America and several Canadian cities simultaneously organized a 40 Days for Life campaign from September 28 to November 6, 2022.

The 40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

• 40 days of prayer and fasting to end abortion
• 40 days of peaceful vigil
• 40 days of community awareness

I was present in Sherbrooke on the 31st day to report on this event. Brian Jenkins, who is the leader of the team, was on place to give me a warm welcome. This man spends 12 hours a day outside, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the 40 days, as an advocate for life. He takes a break at noon, during which Mr. Gerard replaces him, for the entire length of the 40-day vigil. The vigil participants vary from day to day, but Brian and Gerard are present daily.

By law, Brian and the other participants must not be within 50 meters of a facility where abortions take place, in this case the CLSC Belvédère (Local Community Services Center). So far, there have been no counter-demonstrators, whereas last year a pro-choice group of 100 people gathered against 3-4 people who were doing the vigil. Gerard shares with me that the Sherbrooke police supported the vigil participants last year, and since then they have been supported by the Sherbrooke authorities. Brian has a working relationship with the police of Sherbrooke and can count on them for their help to maintain their safety.

CLSC Belvédère in Sherbrooke - Photo: Joanne of Arc

Sunday, March 10, 2013

The Stalwarts. Each vigil has its defining characteristic. A year ago I was particularly impressed by five young men, hitherto to unknown to me and to each other, who participated, on a regular basis in the vigil. This past fall, I was humbled by the many post-abortive women who came out to pray with us. This spring, I am touched by the stalwarts within our group.

The stalwarts are the men and women who come each day, braving the elements and the opposition. The length of their stay varies from a half hour to an hour and, in some cases, even longer.

For example, Marguerida, a resident near the vigil location, joins us for a half-hour of prayer on her way home from daily mass. Yves, again a daily presence, stays between an hour and two. Stella, an early bird, drops by for hour of prayer followed by coffee with another stalwart, Charlotte. The latter is deserving of the qualifier with a capital S, staying too many hours to count. Thanks to these and other unnamed strong and brave souls.

Vigil Schedule – The Middle Hours still require filling. This week our needs are Tuesday afternoon (1-4 p.m.), Wednesday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.), Thursday (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.), and Friday (noon – 4 p.m.). Thanks to Greg and his son Michael who came out this past week.

Number of Saved babies? As of day 27 of the vigil (March 11), there have been 313 babies saved from abortion. Rejoice!

Weekly Highlights - Several unplanned and wild events happened this past week.

• Visit of borough Mayor – On Wednesday, Michel, one of our prayer warriors happened to see the borough mayor walking through the Lahaie Park, where we are holding vigil. Flashback: This past fall, mayor Ferrandez spoke out publicly against our vigil. Audaciously Michel approached the mayor and began a pretty frank conversation with him. It had polemical elements but the two men moved onto sharing personal views on abortion and their faiths. For example, the mayor related how a personal experience of abortion at an early age has shaped his pro-abortion stance. Michel, for his part, spoke about the human soul present at conception and the dignity from that moment onward, even after physical death.
• Pro-abortion advocates – On Friday, March 8, twenty or so pro-abortion advocates appeared at the vigil location. They remained for several hours. A year ago, a similar staging also occurred on this day, known as the International Day for the Rights of Women. Despite the tense atmosphere nerves remained calm and our group continued in prayer and song throughout our visitors stay. Thanks to Michel, Roseline, Yves, and Maria del Pilar for their constancy.

• Way of the cross – This past Friday, four of us performed the Stations of the Cross outside in the park. The meditations, this week as well as the previous and subsequent weeks, are drawn from a little yet potent booklet put out by the community “Famille du Sacré Coeur.” These are based on private revelations to Sr. Josefa Menendez in 1923. This is a weekly Friday activity – 3:00 p.m.; I hope to see you next week.
• Saturday pic-nic – Michel called me Friday evening, 10:00 p.m., with the idea of an impromptu pic-nic for the following day at noon. Calls were made, emails sent and over 15 showed up. Bravo to Michel and his wife Lise for their efforts.

A look ahead:

• Thursday, March 14: Three-quarter mark. Let's celebrate with an all-night Adoration – Saint Enfant Jésus church
• Friday, March 15, 3:00 p.m.: Way of the Cross
• Sunday, March 17, 6:00 p.m.: Vesper service
• March 17-23: Jericho prayer, daily after closure
• Tuesday, March 19, Movie Night: “Restless Heart: The Life of Saint Augustine,” Decarie Square, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Prayer Intentions – Your prayer are welcomed for the following situations:

• One of our prayer warriors is having a tough go with his employer and is considering a job switch.
• Three pregnant women have entered our circle of friends, one of whom is expecting this week.

Hope to see many of you at these events.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Week 2 of the "40 Days for Life" prayer vigil for the end of abortion ended as it begun with the weather dominating the proceedings. Artic temperatures, snow, wind, blowing snow have all challenged those having visited the vigil location. My heartfelt thanks goes to all who have braved these conditions, suffering numb toes and frozen finger tips.

WANTED - vigilers. Though our numbers vary between 16 and 20 visitors each day, these are not distributed evenly throughout our 12-hour days. The first and last quarters of each day are solidly packed, but not the middle hours – from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. So, to all able bodied persons, we need your help to cover these middle hours; your presence would go a long way to ease the burden on those of us who are out there.

Number of Saved babies - As of February 24, 142 babies have been saved from being aborted. Praise God!

Weekly Summary:

• Way of the cross – This past Friday, seven of us gathered in Lahaie park and performed the way of the Cross. Prayers were recited, meditations read, and hymns chanted. Regarding the latter, special thanks goes to two members from the Soeurs missionaires Notre-Dame-des-Anges who led the rest of us in song.
• That same night fifteen of us gathered inside Saint Enfant Jesus church for nightly adoration. Begun at 7:30 p.m., Fr. Louis presided over the proceedings: exposition, benediction, and reposition, the latter at 1 a.m. This commemorated the quarter point in our vigil. Another period of adoration is set for the three-quarter mark of the vigil – day 30 (March 14).
• Finally, a crowd of about 30 gathered inside Saint Enfant Jesus church, on Saturday past to partake in an afternoon of prayer for respect for life. Fr. Joel, vicar at the Cathedral, presided.

A look ahead:

• Friday, March 1, 3:00 p.m.: Stations of the Cross
• Friday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.: Pro-Life rosary and fellowship - Saint Raymond Parish (Laval)
• Saturday, March 2, 3:30 p.m.: Sacrament of penance
• Sunday, March 3: Vesper service (6:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, March 5: Mid-vigil mass (7:30 p.m.)

Hope to see many of you at these events.

Sunday October 28 Highlights: Families and especially the children, a couple visiting from Guelph, and the weather.

I was particularly touched at day's end. Several vigilers had brought their children to the vigil location. And as many of us were in prayer, I glanced around to spot them absorped in games. Their energy and enthousiasm was heart-warming.

I was also delighted to welcome Mike and his wife to the prayer site. They were driving back to their home in Guelph, ON, and decided to join us for an hour of prayer, despite the dark and ominous autumn clouds.

Finally, I felt deeply blessed at one point during the afternoon. It dawned on me how truly blessed I was to be privileged to have hearts revealed to me. In fact, I felt deeply humbled that persons, either for or against our cause, are willing to share with me something deep and personal. Some are joy-filled, radiating a beautiful smile as they pass me by. Others are hurt, frowning or doing worse as we make eye contact - feelings of hurt, sadness, and anger.

Yet God in his goodness and mercy has blessed me and them for what is often a very brief moment - two hearts exchanging on a matter so fundamental to our existence, the fate of the unborn.

Lord, may I always be charitable to all of these.

Saturday, October 20 - On day 26 of our vigil for the end of abortion, I was reminded, again, that God is in charge and is intervening during this vigil. Let me explain.

Heading to the vigil for my afternoon shift, I felt morose. Georges had opened the site and covered the first half with Charlotte. I would cover the second and as the schedule was void of any name except my own, I felt sad at the prospect of being on my own. However, I learned God had other plans.

On arrival, I was stunned and elated by what I saw. Families! Miguel, from Lanoraie, accompanied by his wife Monica, was standing next to the banner reciting prayers and proudly showing off the youngest of their clan – a six month old. Then in the distance, I spotted Maria with her husband Pierre and their 3 year-old Marie-Camilla speaking with a young woman. And this was only the beginning.

As the afternoon wore on, God’s handiwork was apparent. People came and went from the prayer location. The peak was about 4 p.m. when no fewer than thirteen people were on hand: Ymelda and her sister and her two children, tapers in hand, were praying, Francois and Andrew were chanting psalms by the picnic table, and finally Carole and many of her friends had rendez-vous'ed at the site and were now reciting their devotions. What a blessing I was privy to.

Lord, have mercy on me, a man of little faith.

Finally at about 5:30 p.m., the day was coming perfectly to an end as the rains had subsided, the sun came out, and a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.

Daily Highlights: 1. Presence of several families with their children; 2. Natalie a newcomer and fellow Christian came for a first visit; and 3. Rainbow at day’s end.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 – Day 15

I could not help but notice God’s protective hand working at the vigil today.

At the outset of the day, the schedule appeared complete. Our regulars had slotted themselves through until 3 p.m. Charlotte and I took the early shift from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. At this time Vaclav and his wife were then scheduled for a ninety minute block. Carl was then slated for two hours. And finally John and his wife Celeste would follow. All set, right? Not quite.

I knew something was amiss when Carl showed up at 9:30 a.m. rather than his appointed time of 11:30 a.m. I approached him to inquire about his early arrival. He explained that his wife had made arrangements late the day before with friends visiting from out-of-town for a noontime meal this very day. Hence, this spelt havoc with my well-groomed schedule.

Not to worry for God is the vigil’s scheduler. Shortly after Carl’s arrival, Gabriel unexpectedly showed up. I greeted him and asked how long he was thinking of staying; he answered, until about 2:30 p.m. Problem solved! So a period of angst quickly evaporated. Praise be to God, the King of schedulers!

Else, I thank God for the different blessings He has endowed each and every one of us. On this day, I think particularly of two of our members gifted with the wonderful charism of loving and personal conversation.

John and Celeste travel into the vigil site once a week from their home on Ile Perrot, a forty-minute ride, if the traffic is good.

In the two weeks that they have come, I have looked on with awe at how passers-by are drawn to them and seen moving conversations follow. Last week, they spoke with a high school age girl for what was close to half hour.

Today, a young man, driving by saw our banner, decided to stop and come over to investigate. Who were the first people he meets at the site but John and Celeste. Again what seems like a pleasant conversation ensues, lasting well over thirty minutes.

This couple radiates a love that is easily seen some twenty yards away. I feel blessed to have them represent our vigil team during these 40 days for life.

Today's numbers: 21 visitors to the site logging in over 45 hours of prayer time.