CHARLOTTE — Approximately 30 people from several parishes across Charlotte attended the closing prayer vigil for the 40 Days for Life spring campaign in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Charlotte on March 24.
The event featured several prayers and litanies for the end of abortion, as well as testimony from Andrea Hines, a member of St. Ann Parish, along with Silent No More, a pro-life apostolate of women who speak out in regret of their abortion.
Several clergy were also present to lead some of the prayers, including Father Peter Ascik, director of the Diocese of Charlotte’s Office of Family Life and pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Shelby; Father Darren Balkey, parochial vicar of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte; and transitional Deacon Elliot Suttle, who was home from seminary in Ohio during Holy Week.
The 40 Days for Life nationwide spring campaign began Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and was an opportunity for pro-life supporters to pray and fast for an end to abortion, especially in front of their local abortion facilities.
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent