PRESS RELEASE
                For immediate release

Diocese of Toledo
      OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
                                                                      1933 Spielbusch Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Sally Oberski, Director of Communications 419.244.6711 x 148
Kelly O’Loughlin, Communications Coordinator 419.244.6711 x 149

CATHOLICS LOCALLY AND ALL OVER THE WORLD CELEBRATE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE TO END ABORTION

     Toledo, OH – October 4, 2011 – 40 Days for Life, which officially began September 28 and concludes on November 6, is a focused pro-life campaign that includes prayer, fasting, and constant vigil to ensure a peaceful approach to end abortion in America.

     Historically, God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities and the entire world which is where the inspiration for the campaign’s name came from. This fall’s campaign includes 301 locations and tens of thousands of people who will take part all across the United States, Canada, England, Spain, Australia, Argentina and Germany.

     Events planned in the metro-Toledo Area and throughout the diocese include:

• September 28 - November 6, 2011 - 40 Days for Life Toledo is needs 2 persons a shift to be present in prayer outside the Center for Choice, 328 22nd St., in Toledo from 8am-8pm during each of those 40 days. This is a peaceful, prayerful witness and is NOT a protest! For more information, contact Ann at 419-708-9497.

• September 28 – November 6, 2011 –40 Days for Life Lima will run 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. The goal is to have two people in prayer outside Capital Care Network abortion clinic, 222 South Elizabeth Street. To sign up call Jan at 419-796-8005.

• October 3-7, 2011-Heartbeat needs volunteers to answer phones, listen, and provide support to women considering abortion, adoption, and parenting along with data entry,fundraising, parenting classes. Call this week to sign up, 419-241-9131.

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• Thursday, October 6, 2011 – Bishop Blair will be coming to pray outside Capital Care Network abortion clinic at 222 South Elizabeth Street in Lima, Ohio. Prayer will begin at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Jan at 419-796-8005.

• Thursday, October 6, 2011– Heartbeat of Lima’s Annual Fund-Raising dinner will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Cable Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m. This event helps to fund what Heartbeat does for mothers struggling to provide for their child before and after birth. Bishop Blair will offer the opening prayer. Contact Heartbeat at 419-222-7945 for more information.

• Monday, October 10, 2011 - Fr. Tad Oxley, Vice Rector of Josephinum Pontifical College and former Associate Pastor of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns will be offering the presentation on How Abortion Harms the Woman:A Marian Response.  The talk will begin at 7:00 p.m. in church at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, Toledo, Ohio.  A light reception will follow the presentation.

• Tuesday, October 11, 2011- Benefit for Life Charity Reception at the Pinnacle Maumee starting at 6;30 pm. Keynote speaker will be Rev. Robert Sirico, President of Acton Institute, who will speak about “Thoughts on Human Dignity: The Price of Life”. Admission is $60/person. To purchase tickets, call the Foundation for Life office at 419-535-5800.

     For more information on 40 Days for Life, contact Jan Kahle, Respect Life Coordinator for Catholic Charities at 419-796-8005.

The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest, serving 322,523 Catholics in 126 parishes. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties. 

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