Dear Pro-life friends,

There is a need for more sidewalk counselors at Planned Parenthood downtown, weekday mornings before noon. If you have an interest in becoming a sidewalk counselor, or if you are just interested in how it is effectively done, then please join us on Monday, October 16th after the 6:30 pm Mass at St. Anne’s Catholic Church (2337 Irving Ave., SD 92113). The Mass usually ends around 7:15 to 7:30, and we will meet in the church hall (across the courtyard from the church) following Mass. Mass attendance is not required, but all are welcome.

There are no obligations or commitments needed to attend the training. Onsite training will be provided later for those who which to pursue sidewalk counseling. Bilingual is a plus, but if your English is not proficient, it will be difficult, as the majority of people going in speak English. Training will be done in English only.

I will discuss:
How to approach people.
How to identify which person in the group is likely abortion intent.
Techniques for getting them to take a flyer.
Getting them to pause long enough to listen to what you have to say.
Questions to ask that will guide your conversation.
What to say for various reasons they are there for an abortion.
How to guide and convince them not to have an abortion.
What to do or say when people become angry at you.

There will be plenty of time for questions and answers.

If you are thinking:
“I could never do this…”
“I feel uncomfortable walking up to people and talking about something so sensitive…”
“Will I be able to handle it if someone yells at me…”
“What if I freeze up and don’t know what to say…”

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most people have these doubts about their abilities. It doesn’t take special skills, it only takes a calm and caring demeaner and a willingness to let God use you an an instrument to reach out to these confused and conflicted women. The Holy Spirit will guide you. Many of the babies saved are the result of just getting a flyer in their hands.

Hand-outs will be provided. Please respond to this email by October 13th if you would like to attend, so I will know how many hand-outs to prepare.

It can be easy to think that sidewalk counseling is someone else’s job, and that someone else will do it. The reality is that if you or I don’t do it, no one else will. I hope to see you there.

God bless,
Roger Lopez
Helpers of God’s Precious Infants San Diego