Loreto House Blog

Medical tests are typically performed to help diagnose disease and formulate a plan of treatment for the patient. Today, in some cases, these tests have become a “search and destroy” mission to find unwanted traits in human beings for the purpose of determining their “suitability for continued life”.

Have you noticed that there are very few young children around with Downe’s Syndrome? Pre-natal testing has identified them in the womb, and now over 85% of these children are aborted. This genetic disorder is one of many that are considered “undesirable” for the “test of life”.

The medical and legal environment today sometimes places a tremendous burdon on parents. The desire of some physicians, insurance companies, and hospitals to limit liability, has created a system that encourages pre-natal testing as a risk management and social engineering tool.

If a less than perfect child can be eliminated, risk is reduced, excessive medical costs are avoided, and everyone is happy. This logic sounds very familiar. Remember Germany in the 1930’s?

I am convinced that my genetic cards would not pass the test today, but by the grace of God, my parents were not asked to choose.

Today, there are many couples who are willing to adopt a child “sight unseen and with any and all medical problems”. We at Loreto House are dedicated to assist any mom who seeks to place her child with a loving family.

God Bless,

Randy Bollig

Click for report on how pre-natal testing targets Downe’s Syndrome babies

These are the words my mother told me one day a few weeks ago.  I had been at the hospital to visit a lovely woman who was in her last few days of this life.  Her daughter had called me through Loreto House.  She thought it would mean a lot to her mother for a fellow parishioner to come to pray, and visit with her.  I came with a Catholic bio-ethics package for the family, and also the information for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  I also took a prayer shawl for the sick woman.  I met the family who was gathered around their loved one.  I touched Mary’s arm as I introduced myself, and offered her the prayer shawl telling her about the love and prayers that were entwined into it.

She was suffering so much physically and seemed to be going in and out of consciousness, but was able to look at me, smile and say a fervent “yes” to my offer of praying with her.  I just knew that she was a woman of faith.

As I finished, I spoke briefly to the family members and offered my continued prayers for them and for Mary.  It was hard to see the sadness in their eyes.  It was obvious how much they loved this woman and how weakened they were from their faithful vigil at her bedside.  I thought about the death of my own father, just a few years ago.

As I was leaving the hospital I received a call from Ann, one of the “Moms” that I had been serving through Loreto House. Ann was in labor and was on her way to the same hospital.  I went down to the labor and delivery and waited for her to come in.  I was given the privilege of being with her for the labor and the delivery.

Ann is one of those brave young women who decided to place her baby for adoption. She loves her baby so much and desires the best for him.  She knew that she was not able to provide for his physical and emotional needs at this time in her life, and also wanted two parents for her baby boy.  She does not want him to wonder where his next meal is coming from.  She wants him to enjoy a happy and healthy home.  God blessed Ann. for her generosity, and her labor was something rarely seen.  The small amount of pain medication made her sleep through the more difficult parts of her pain.  She was given an epidural later on, and then when even more comfortable, she slept even more.  When the baby was ready to come out, only 4 or 5 pushes and he was born. I watched a miracle!  A sweet healthy baby boy came into this world.   Suffering brought forth something beautiful.

This was quite a day.  I was thinking about the family upstairs going through the labor of love, keeping vigil with their family.  Mary was going through a kind of labor as well.  This woman was suffering, but by faith she knew that something beautiful awaited her.  The family was laboring, much like Ann, who was just a few floors away. Both had to let go of a loved one, knowing it was best for their loved one.

Birth and death are miracles.  Both usually require some suffering, and both bring forth something beautiful.  By the cross of our Savior Jesus, both bring forth a new life. God’s love for us is what lets us see life as beautiful. 

My mother was correct in our conversation of that day. I was definitely on both sides of the river.

May God Bless you abundantly,

Laurie Bollig

Executive Director, Loreto House

Loretohouse.org

For the women who come to us, these words mean nothing if real relationships do not follow. And that is what our volunteers at Loreto House seek to do. We receive this woman into our hearts, listen to her hopes and dreams, share her disapointments and difficulties, and walk with her in making decisions she is worthy of.

It is at that moment that she comes to tangibly experience God’s presence and help in her life. She is then strengthened in hope, because she experiences concretely, that she is not alone, that there is someone who really cares. And in this process we come to see who this woman really is, and we are able to delight in her goodness, despite whatever trials and sadness she has been through, or what struggles may lie ahead.

We come to love her.

God Bless,

Randy Bollig

VP: Loreto House

Loretohouse.org
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