Adoption is the Loving Option A Celebration of Life, cont'd from the front page
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Adoption – A Wonderful Way to Build a Family
Catholic Charities
Thinking about Adopting? Want to learn more about Adoption?
would have made the next step much clearer. We decided to keep trying to conceive a child of our own. Brian and I talked about adoption, but never set a timetable or deadline for making a decision. After years of not being able to conceive, with prayer and guidance, we decided to choose adoption Catholic Charities offers Adoption to grow our family. Informational Meetings at its various office Our adoption journey started in early 2012. Brian and I decided to choose Catholic Charities locations to help families get the answers they as we wanted an agency that was local. We felt comfortable working with Catholic Charities after need about the adoption process. watching the experience of two couples from our church. Both families had adopted multiple children through Catholic Charities. We sent in our application and had our background checks comCall your local office for more information pleted. We were then contacted by a social worker and began the paperwork process. During our Rochester – 507-287-2047 Mankato 507-387-5586 journey we met with our social worker, completed paperwork, and completed the home study. The Winona – 507-454-2270 Worthington 507-376-9757 home study involves many questionnaires, discussions with a social worker, and finally a visit to our home. We were approved and ready to adopt a child on September 26, 2013. We were placed on the waiting list and added to Catholic Charities' website as a couple ready to adopt. As months passed we continued to pray and wait for God to bless us with a birthmother who would choose us to be the parents of her child. During our wait Catholic Charities hosted “while you wait” informational meetings. The topics range from hearing about the adoption experience from other couples to a car seat class. These meetings were also a nice way to meet other couples that were on the same journey. On Friday August 29, 2014, I received a voice message from our social worker to give her a call back as she had You know that life is a gift from God. You also know that the a birth mother that wanted to meet us. I called back and set up a meeting for September 8, 2014. My husband gift often comes at difficult times. You can help precisely at and I were so thrilled and nervous to meet the birth mother. The meeting went very well. The birth mother let us those times. Catholic Charities’ Mother and Child Assistance know that she would like to have Brian and I be the parents of her child. During our first visit, we learned that the Fund helps pregnant women and women with babies with birth mother was expecting around Christmas. She asked us at the meeting if we wanted to join her for the doctors’ rent, medical expenses, educational assistance, doula serappointments and ultrasounds. Brian and I said, “Yes.” On September 15, 2014, we attended our first ultrasound vices, child care assistance and parenting education. It helps with her and were able to see the baby. At this appointment we found out she was expecting a girl. Brian and I birthmothers carry their baby to term by providing the direct feel that one of the most rewarding experiences that happened on our adoption journey was the ability to follow support they need to work through difficult situations that the birth mother to her doctor appointments. We are extremely grateful and view that opportunity as a “once-inthey and their baby may face. Hear the moving testimonies a-lifetime” experience. of women who benefited from this fund: We had some time to get to know the birth mother before her due date. We met up multiple times outside of "The Mother Child Assistance Fund will help me get the doctor appointments at different restaurants. Between meetings we would text back and forth to exchange caught up on my rent so I will not get evicted and information. During one of our meetings we discussed our “good faith agreement.” This agreement is between the be able to raise my baby in a stable environment." birth mother and the adoptive parents on contact after the baby is born. We have chosen to have an open adop“When I am trying to do all of the right things for tion. During our wait, we had started getting items to set up a nursery. After being chosen to adopt, our efforts myself and my child, sometimes I need extra help moved a little faster. Brian even made a dresser/changing table. Birth mother’s due date was originally December that I can’t give myself. The Mother Child Fund can 25th, but the due date was moved to December 17th. The 17th passed and then the doctor decided to schedule help me to stay on track.” an induction on December 22nd. “The Mother Child Assistance Fund is greatly needOn the 22nd I went to work. My husband went to be with birth mother and her mom. On my lunch break ed in our community. I am a single mother of 4 I decided to go see how the process was going. Birth mother said that the contractions were 3 minutes apart. unable to work and can feel very alone and overI decided that I was not going to return to work and that my leave of absence was going to start. Brian and I whelmed. This fund is a blessing that I will never forget and helps provide security for me and my were in the room with birth mother and her mom during Celebration of Life, cont'd on pg. 19 children.” “The Mother Child Assistance Fund will help me get What you can do for us this holiday caught up with my bill and it will better my chances ...it describes our adoption season is to say a quick prayer for our son’s to get a home for me and for when my baby comes. experience perfectly: birthmother who helped remind us what Christmas Having a home will help me to succeed in my goals.” “Everyday holds the is all about. Her unselfish decision provided us with the “The Mother Child Assistance Fund will help me possibility of a miracle.”Our stay responsible and help me in my time of need best Christmas present ever.” children are and will always with rent. I always paid my bills on time but this We send be a constant reminder of month I am going to have a baby. This would help our daughter’s the beauty of adoption.” me stay on the straight and narrow.” birthparents a letter and picture every few The Mother and Child Assistance Fund is supported by generAdoption has been a blessed event months, and each ous donations. To help, please send your donation to: in our lives. We can’t imagine loving anyone as night we pray and offer Catholic Charities Mother & Child Assistance Fund much as our child. He has been the joy of our lives thanksgiving to God for 111 Market St. PO Box 379 and has allowed his parents the opportunity of having her birthparents bringing Winona, MN 55987 a family. We are extremely grateful to his birthmother so much joy to Visit our website at www.ccwinona.org for Pregnancy, for bringing him into our world. our family. Parenting and Adoption Information or call 1-800-222-5859.
Life is a Gift. You Can Help.
Quotes from Families
Adoption Day Celebration! Date: Saturday November 21 (Registration and gathering at 11 a.m.) Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Potluck lunch, Bring a dish to share! Beverage & dessert provided. Cookie Decorating: 12 p.m. Entertainment: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Place: Church of St Bridget: 2123 County Rd 16 SE, Rochester, MN 55904
RSVP: To Jenny by November 13 507-387-5586 ext. 2 or jennywolfe@ccwinona.org Please include number of family attending. November, 2015 w The Courier