The Ave Herald

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The Respect Life Committee of the Ave Maria quasi parish will be available after masses Feb. 7 and Feb. 14 to sign up volunteers to participate in vigils outside Planned Parenthood in Naples as part of a nation-wide 40 Days for Life campaign. The Ave Maria quasi parish, Ave Maria University and the Ave Maria School of Law are all participating.

More than 160 communities in the U.S. and Canada have groups organizing 40 days of prayer and fast, vigils and community outreach to raise awareness about abortion.

In southwest Florida, local organizers are planning vigils outside the Planned Parenthood offices in Naples from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each of the 40 days.

Elaine Doerrfeld, head of the parish Respect Life Committee, says the parish is signing up people to participate in vigils on Feb. 22 and March 22. The local organizers say the law school plans to turn out for a vigil Saturday, Feb. 20 and AMU on Saturday, Feb. 27. Anyone is welcome to participate in any of the vigils.

Anyone who wants further information can get in touch with co-ordinator Mary MacMillan by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or phone at 231-735-1947, or call the local campaign phone at 239-503-0295.

More information is also at websites for the southwest Florida 40 Days for Life group here, and the national site is here.

The Parish Respect Life Committee meets regularly on the 4th Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Donahue Academy. The next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 24. Anyoue interested in participating should call Elaine Doerrfeld at 239-354-3786.

The parish is developing a new Food Assistance ministry. On the second Sunday of each month there will be a large box at the entrance of the church to collect any food supplies anyone wishes to donate to the Food Bank at Guadalupe Social Services Catholic Charities Immokalee. Following items are suggested, but any assistance is appreciated: Cereal (any kind); dry powdered milk; maseco (corn flour); cooking oil; pasta (any kind); pinto beans; rice; jelly; peanut butter; grits; diapers sizes 3,4,5. Please contact Fr. Robert at 239-272-2077 or Mary Claire Dant at 239-250-4000 if you need more information.