More than 100 students gathered on the morning of Sept. 19 for the Abortion Outreach Ministry (AOM) megashift. This semesterly event unites the ministry’s separate shifts into one huge shift for a morning of prayer and sidewalk outreach at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center, an abortion clinic in Pittsburgh.   

Unlike a typical Saturday, when the ministry operates in three shifts starting at 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and 11 a.m., megashift combines all the shifts into one large gathering. The event maximizes the time that students spend praying together and participating in sidewalk counseling.  

For Dan Staniszewski, an AOM lead, the size of megashift is part of what makes the event significant. “To have a group of 150 people all praying (the Rosary) together is a truly powerful experience,” Staniszewski said. Through megashift, AOM hopes to recruit as many students as possible to pray for an end to abortion, beginning with the Allegheny Reproductive Health Center and extending beyond the Pittsburgh region. 

Staniszewski emphasizes the Rosary’s role in megashift. “The Rosary is the most powerful weapon that anyone could ever use,” said Staniszewski. “It is the most important prayer that we can pray.”  

AOM also connects women with free pro-life pregnancy centers and prays for the conversion of abortion facility workers. According to Staniszewski, “We pray that they would experience God’s love and mercy and so be brought to Him.” AOM’s goal truly extends beyond simply standing outside the facility.  

Megashift allows students to see the ministry on a larger scale. “I hope megashift impacts many Franciscan students deeply by showing the power of prayer and shaping how important the ministry truly is,” Staniszewski said.  

 Staniszewski shared that only two people entered the facility during megashift, compared with what he described as a typical eight to 10 people during a similar period.  

For the students who organize and participate in AOM, the event represents both an opportunity to grow in prayer and a practical outreach effort. Staniszewski emphasized that AOM depends on students to volunteer their time, from participating in outreach to advertising the ministry across campus. “Volunteers are one of the whole reasons that we can operate as a ministry,” he said.  

As the ministry continues its weekly outreach, Staniszewski hopes that megashift will encourage students to participate more regularly. “I hope (megashift) impacts students and helps them to see this truth and the fruit of their prayers and labors, and attracts them to come back in continuing weeks,” Staniszewski said.  

As showcased by megashift, Abortion Outreach Ministry is a beautiful opportunity for students to sacrifice their time and pray for an end to abortion.  

Photo credit: Carlyn Tony