MARION — After nine months of daily prayer for children in danger of abortion, Our Lady of the Angels Parish hosted a Spiritual Adoption Baby Shower for the McDowell Pregnancy Care Center.
Father Carl Kaltreider and parishioners collected baby supplies including clothes, diapers, wipes, food, formula and bottles to help meet the local pregnancy support ministry’s needs.
Glen and Carole Keller, representatives of the Our Lady of the Angels pro-life ministry, were greeted with smiles and excitement as they delivered a carload of baby supplies and monetary donations to MPCC afterwards. “We are so grateful,” says Denise McCormick, director of MPCC. “These items will be passed along to our well-deserving clients.”
According to MPCC staff, the center is the busiest it has ever been since opening its doors just over 20 years ago. Its mission is to offer help and hope to families facing an unplanned pregnancy and to walk alongside families during their parenting journey. All of their services are free and confidential.
“My wife and I learned about the pregnancy center about this time last year,” says Keller. “We went by the center, took a tour, met the staff, asked questions, and immediately felt compelled to help. We just can’t imagine that people wouldn’t want to be advocates for children and be a voice for the unborn. We are called to make a difference, and this is one way we can do that.”
— Neil Schunke
HENDERSONVILLE — Father Andrés Gutiérrez (above) was installed as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish during a special Mass July 27.
“It really is a blessing to initiate the new mission entrusted by God and Bishop (Peter) Jugis,” Father Gutiérrez told parishioners during the Mass. “We will continue this faith journey together.”
With Father Adrian Porras at his side, Father Gutiérrez signed documents making his appointment official. He previously served as a missionary priest in Peru.
“A priest is called to be there in the most important moments of your lives,” from baptisms to weddings to funerals, said Father Porras, pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, who presided at the Mass as the bishop’s delegate.
“All of you come to be fed by the Holy Eucharist and the Word of God,” he continued. “The essence of a priest is to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and preach the Word of God.”
— Catholic News Herald