By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:9).
In times of chaos and uncertainty, a miracle story gives hope to the faithful. I recently wrote about the unfortunate loss of property for the non-profit group Pro-Vida Indianapolis. An arson fire destroyed the storage shed that housed the supplies for their ministry. Many generous people reached out to support this group by cleaning up the damage and making donations. The witness of God’s hand in their mission to help women in crisis pregnancies is incredible. President Lupita Aguayo and the partners of Pro-Vida are grateful for all the help. A celebration was planned to bless the new site with prayer and share a meal.
Pro-Vida chose Sept. 2, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, to open the new home for its ministry. I was blessed to attend the celebration, where testimonies from women and children who have benefitted from Pro-Vida’s commitment to supporting life, shared their stories.
The group has placed its ministry under the protective care of St. Joseph. In the fire that destroyed everything, the statue of St. Joseph and the life-cycle baby models used for teaching were left untouched. On this very special day, over 75 people gathered to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Franciscan Father Dennis Schafer, Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis, provided prayer and a blessing for the property. Everyone processed with music and song to place St. Joseph in his new home.
The representative for the Hispanic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Saul Llacsa, spoke of gratitude from the Archdiocese for the Pro-Vida group and the wonderful work it is doing to help serve the community. The progress report about the ministry and donations from Lupita Aguayo was met with praises to God!
There is a great need for people to support those facing the difficult challenge of crisis pregnancies, especially in a culture that views abortion as “women’s reproductive health care.” Educating young expectant mothers and providing counsel with the necessary items to bring a healthy baby home is invaluable. Pro-Vida takes its mission very seriously by following through with mothers long after their babies are born. Pro-Vida members witness to them as Catholics, and they often accept the responsibility of becoming godparents for babies.
There is so much division in our culture concerning the issue of life and the sanctity of the pre-born. I see the peace on the faces of all those serving as pro-life soldiers in a battle that has been festering since Roe vs. Wade in 1973. For almost a half-century, a law that permits taking the life of the innocent unborn has destroyed over 57 million pre-born babies in our country. Please, prayerfully consider the scientific facts and the spiritual consequences of this law. There is still plenty of help needed for this ministry, and contributions for Pro-Vida Indianapolis can be sent to Pro-Vida, in care of group president Lupita Aguayo, at 1710 S. Talbott Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46225.
God is counting on each of us to protect the unrepeatable gift of every human life! “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you....” (Jeremiah 1:5).