New Riegel parish ‘spiritually adopts’ unborn babies |
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Written by CAROL BREIDENBACH, Special to the Chronicle
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Friday, 05 December 2008 01:00 |
NEW RIEGEL—Father Randy Giesige, pastor of New Riegel All Saints, believes it is important to pray for babies in danger of being aborted.
"Archbishop Fulton Sheen always recommended praying for the unborn in danger of abortion," says Fr. Giesige, who believes the parish children should also be aware of the sacredness of life and take an active part in praying for the protection of the unborn.
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Doug and Janet Ink and their children, from left, Timothy, Daniel,
Kyle, Katie and Elizabeth, front, stand near the scroll of the names of
spiritually adopted babies hanging in New Riegel All Saints Church. The
Inks adopted two babies and named them after their own children. The
baby girl’s name is Katherine Elizabeth and the baby boy’s name is Kyle
Timothy Daniel. (Photo courtesy of Regina Wagner)
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Several years ago Fr. Giesige heard about a respect life program called "Spiritual Adoption." Knowing the parishioners of All Saints are very active in Respect Life activities, he thought the adoption program would be well received and decided to implement it in the parish this past October.
The purpose of Spiritual Adoption is twofold: To help inform and educate children at an early age about the dignity and sacredness of all human life from conception to natural death, and to save the life of an unborn baby by asking God to give the parents the courage and grace they need to bring their baby into the world.
At All Saints the program started with bulletin announcements and sign-up sheets placed in the pews. Children, their parents and other parishioners were encouraged to "adopt" a child in danger of abortion. In addition, each parish organization has adopted a baby.
Participants in the Spiritual Adoption program never know the child’s actual identity; what is important is God knows.
Those who signed on to be "adoptive parents" named their babies to make the adoption seem more concrete, especially to the children, and pledged to pray for the babies and their parents for seven months. The seven-month time frame was chosen rather than nine months so the time would coincide with the length of the parish’s religious education program school year.
John and Lori Orians keep the certificates of their two spiritually adopted babies on their refrigerator.
"We pray every evening at mealtime for our babies. Prayer is so important," says Mrs. Orians, "and the unborn need all the prayers they can get."
She likes the fact that this pro-life program is geared toward children and that the children are able to name their babies.
"It gives our children more awareness of the unborn and how they can be in danger without our prayers. Being able to actually name the babies makes a stronger impact on our children," she says.
The names of all the adopted babies are written on a scroll displayed in the church so the whole parish is reminded to pray for the unborn. Posters are periodically displayed showing the babies’ stage of development beginning at conception and continuing through the nine months of fetal development in the womb.
All Saints parishioners Janet and Doug Ink want their five children to see the importance of working against abortion.
"We pray an extra 'Our Father' at mealtimes for our two babies. We really look forward to the church bulletin updates showing the development of the baby at each stage," she adds.
The spiritual adoptive parents receive thank you cards each month from the babies for whom they are praying. The weekend of March 7 and 8, the parish has planned a baby shower. A birthday celebration for the babies is scheduled for the end of the religious education program, April 26. The baby items donated at these events are to be given to a local pregnancy center.
Mrs. Ink says they want to shop together as a family for the presents for their babies. They plan to buy baby clothes to be donated at the parish baby shower.
Leon and Jan Steyer and their son, Steve, adopted a child and pray for their baby whenever it comes to mind.
"We firmly believe in pro-life and the knowledge that we are trying to help prevent an abortion is very rewarding to us," says Mr. Steyers.
Fr. Giesige is happy that so many are participating in the Spiritual Adoption Program. It was not that difficult to get it started.
"I found the information I needed [about Spiritual Adoption] on the Web site of the Diocese of Baltimore, Md.," he says.
All materials needed to implement the program can also be found on the Web site, www.archbalt.org. Click on ìRespect Lifeî on the side bar and then click on "Spiritual Adoption."
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Last Updated on Friday, 06 February 2009 09:37 |
