I was very happy to see the Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance included in the The USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, Program Models for 2009-2010…

I pray it makes it way into every diocese… 

This year we will be doing it in NYC on January 16th, the Saturday before the March for Life, and perhaps once again in DC the day before the March for Life

We'll keep you posted!

here is a little about it:

An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance

Description:

Each year as the anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, the
truth that the wounds of abortion impact each of us in our respective
communities manifests itself anew and in an ever more vigorous way: far beyond
those directly involved in the act of abortion itself – whether it be one’s
co-worker, one’s neighbor, friend, relative, fellow parishioner – we have
all been affected by the loss of each child aborted and the often hidden
suffering of their post-abortive parents.

 An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance and Intercession
(APRI) is, as its name suggests: a prayer service, created in the spirit of
the New Evangelization, for the entire local community. Acknowledging abortion’s
universal impact through reflections and testimonies offered as part of the
day, it gives the opportunity for all of us to come together in an extended
period of prayer, contemplation, and intercession in the context of the
Church’s Sacraments, seeking forgiveness and healing for our entire nation. The
day includes an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a period of
silent, Eucharistic Adoration and concludes with the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass.

 Purpose:

To offer a concrete expression for the USCCB’s
nationwide Day of Prayer and Penance on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade; while APRI
could be done anytime during the year it is a particularly appropriate event on
or around Jan 22

·       
To bring a greater knowledge of the far-reaching
effects of the sin of abortion on individuals and society as a whole (see
Sample Bulletin insert for advertisement wording of the event)

·       
Looks to spread awareness of post-abortion
healing and appreciation for its vital role in building an authentic culture of
life

·       
While intended for every one in the
community, hopes to specially draw those silently suffering from a personal
loss to abortion (woman, men, grandparents, relatives, friends, siblings…)
safeguarding their anonymity through the universal, communal prayer aspect.

 Format of Prayer Service:  

• The
  service is 3 hours in duration & can be held in the morning or
  afternoon (9-12, 10-1, 1-4 etc.)
• It
  begins with an Introduction by the organizer giving a brief overview of
  the service.
• Then
  the Priest processes to altar while congregation sings an appropriate
  entrance chant/song; he then offers a prayer for the day.
• Next a
  brief talk (^15min) is given by a post-abortion speaker on “The Far –
  Reaching Impact of Abortion on Family, Friends, and Society” (see
  Sample Talk). The speaker concludes the presentation with an
  explanation of what is to immediately follow :

·       
Individual Testimonials and Intercessory Prayer (see
Sample Testimonials and Intercessions)

o      
Each testimonial has been written by actual persons
affected by the loss of a child through abortion and is read by a volunteer
(i.e. parishioners/respect life group members). Each volunteer approaches the
altar from his/her seat in the congregation with a violet flower symbolizing
forgiveness as well as a flower signifying the restored nature of the person’s
relationship. The volunteer reads his/her testimonial, then places their
flowers in a vase before an image of Divine Mercy/Sacred Heart in front of the
altar. The volunteer returns to their seat and a brief silence follows (i.e. 1
minute). The Intercessory Prayer leader goes to pulpit and reads the
appropriate intercession that pertains to the testimonial just read and then
the congregation responds with a simple chant. Another shorter silence follows
(i.e. 30s) and the next testimonial follows…Once this is finished the altar is
made ready for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (further silence may be
observed or an appropriate meditative song can be sung).

• A Holy
  Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows consisting of :
• The
  main priest celebrant for the day offering a short reflection (^10min) on
  the notion of Reconciliation as it pertains to the spirit of the day.
  Then recitation of 5 decades of the Rosary and the remainder of the time spent
  in silent adoration; confessions are available all throughout the Holy
  Hour. The Hour concludes with Benediction and Reposition (see Sample
  Program for prayers and music). The altar is then made ready for the Holy
  Sacrifice of the Mass. 
• The
  Holy Sacrifice of the Mass concludes the day. (see Sample Program for
  suggested Mass Readings). The Mass was taking from the Lectionary: Masses
  and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, #IV for Particular Needs, #40
  For Forgiveness of Sins.

 Other Notes:

 All
the music for the day can easily be substituted with local preferences;
for ideas or use see  Sample list
of Hymns/composers.

• For
  advertising the event a flyer was designed containing the text in the
  Sample Bulletin Insert, with a beautiful image of Our Lady and one of the
  Monstrance.
• The
  flowers for the day were donated by a local florist (see Sample Florist
  Fax)

Prayerful Remembrance Program
created by
Theresa Bonopartis of Lumina Hope
and Healing after Abortion
& Family Life/Respect Life
Office of the Archdiocese of New York