As daylight decreases and temperatures cool, October brings fall colors and migrating birds. It also brings thoughts of family.
It is the time for farmers to harvest crops and for Christians to think about life. It is the Month of the Rosary for Catholics, and it is time for the Women’s Care Center’s annual fundraiser.
Victoria Cain, outreach director for the Merrillville-based Women’s Care Center, hosted the group’s second annual Luxury Bingo fundraiser at the Halls of St. George in Schererville on Oct. 9. She said the almost 400 attendees were like family – united in the desire to provide financial support and safety for pregnant women and their babies.
“We’ve spent another year loving and serving moms in Lake County,” she said. “The facility provides 1,000 free ultrasounds annually, as well as free pregnancy tests, counseling, and support and education for pregnant women.
“One in six babies in Lake County get their start at Women’s Care Center,” Cain continued, adding that WCC serves nine women each day, or 864 women per year
Clark Gloyeske, ministry chair for St. Patrick Parishioners for Life, said the event was wonderful. “It is a great event because not only do we need to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves, we need to help the mothers.
St. Patrick Parishioners for Life participate in the Diocese of Gary’s Walking with Moms in Need initiative. Members also prayed for the unborn during the 14th annual Chesterton Life Chain on Oct. 6, and continue to attend various pro-life activities throughout the Diocese. The group is hosting a diaper drive this month.
Bishop Robert McClory read The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-57) during his opening remarks at the fundraiser. He talked about the Blessed Virgin Mary’s soul magnifying the Lord and the importance of the “celebration of life.” By supporting life, the Almighty can also do great things, he noted.
Madeline Graal, who spearheads St. John the Evangelist’s Missionaries for Life group, attended the event. “It’s incredible to see how many people are here, like a family, who want to save babies and help these moms in need.”
For Josephine “Jo” Brown, the message about the gift of life stems from the messages of the saints. St. Pope John Paul II, “Life is precious from conception to natural death” and St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "A nation that kills its own children, cannot survive."
Brown noted that precious little ones cannot speak for themselves and need advocates. “They can't run or hide and we can't hear them cry out for help; they are a sitting target,” she said. “My prayer is that everyone realizes how urgent it is to save their precious lives. To develop a passion to save them, for without them, our future is dim.”
Brown joined the Respect Life Ministry at St. Michael about 20 years ago. “The Lord put in my heart to help the crusade to end abortion. I had to do something to help end abortion I had to do my part, no matter how small…We are now about 15 active members, we're small, but the Good Lord helps us with many pro-life activities and awareness.”
Bob Margala, also from St. Michael, is a staunch pro-life advocate. “When a husband and a wife come together in accordance to God's plan and by the power of the Holy Spirit a new life is created. That new life is made in the image of God, and thus honor is given to God and this awesome occurrence is witnessed by all in Heaven. On earth, we have the husband and wife, the holy guardian angels of these two people, plus the new life with his or her own guardian angel, and the Holy Spirit, so seven are present at a new conception.”
Margala said his favorite thing about the St. Michael Respect Life Ministry is the monthly meetings. “I love the camaraderie. When I joined, I was already pro-life and helping out at the rose sales and such, and I was looking for a ministry to join, so it was a good fit.”
Gloyeske encourages others to join the pro-life movement. “Pray about it and talk to pro-life people,” he said. “You can talk to your priest or pastor and attend a pro-life function. We need to be a voice for the voiceless and support life for the unborn, the elderly and the unwanted. Sit with your foot in the water for a bit and see where you are moved to participate.”
For women looking for a way to support new moms, Graal noted that SJE is hosting a Ladies Tea Party on Nov. 3, as a “baby shower” to assist mothers and babies through the WCC. Admission is $10. More details may be found by calling the parish office at 219-365-5678.
Caption: Like so many others, Greg Schilling and Meredith Schilling, whose family business were bronze sponsors of the Women's Care Centers Luxury Bingo fundraiser, raised their card to donate more to the cause. The Merrillville-based facility that serves 864 women a year, hosted its second annual fundraiser in Schererville on Oct. 9. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)