Vigil begins in peace at Planned Parenthood clinic
Their prayers began at 8 a.m. Thursday, outside the site of what soon will be one of the nation's largest Planned Parenthood facilities.
The $7.5 million medical center, off New York Street on Oakhurst Drive on Aurora's east side, is set to open Sept. 18.
It will offer birth control, pregnancy and pap tests, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and treatment, and abortion services.
Until it opens, the prayers are aplenty.
The vigil held by the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago will last for the next 40 days, with at least two people praying in hourlong shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
About 1 p.m. Thursday, five league supporters walked in a single-file line along the sidewalk, reciting the Rosary.
They prayed to keep abortion out of Aurora, as their signs proclaimed.
They prayed that young women who become pregnant consider other options and seek help from groups such as Catholic Charities.
They prayed contractors putting the final touches on the 22,000-square-foot building have a change of heart and stop working.
Theirs was a peaceful march, with no raised voices, no confrontation.
The vigil elicited some response from passers-by, with some drivers slowing to question their cause, others flashing a thumbs-up.
The police had stopped by earlier to tell them to march in a line so as not to block the sidewalk.
"This is a peaceful march," Dianne Herzog of Geneva said. "We don't want to make anyone angry. We just want (people) to know the truth."
The truth, they say, is that even one abortion is too many. That there are no unwanted children. That there are other options available.
And even if those doors open next month, they say, their prayers will continue.
"We're praying all the time," Letty Nolan of Aurora said. "People are more concerned about dog fights than someone saying, 'I don't want this kid.' We're here to change hearts."
For leaders of Planned Parenthood and their supporters, of course, the truth is different.
The truth, they say, is that reproductive and health-care services haven't kept pace with the area's rapid growth.
That many young women not only have requested but need a full-service facility closer to home.
That despite prayers to the contrary, many women finally will get the care they need once those doors open.
Planned Parenthood officials received numerous calls of support Thursday, including from a clergy leader and her congregation, said Steve Trombley, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area.
"They may have some people out there," he said, "but we continue to be confident our services are needed."