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Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
Volume 5 Number 43
Finding Parents For Children By JOANN
Who Need
•
August
23,
1996
Families
KEANE
Associate Editor
MOSCOW — Natasha and Galina cam-
burst into tears at the sight of the era-toting Americans.
No
disrespect in-
tended towards their visitors from the West, it's simply a gut reaction to the
unknown.
A
matron dries their
tears,
whispers soothing words and teary faces transform with beaming smiles. The Russian children hope the photo will be their ticket to a better life.
On this summer day, dozens of scrubbed and shiny faces offer their best smile for the camera. The photographer is really a Catholic Social Services Worker from the Diocese of Charlotte, snapping wildly to build a file of adoptable children. Cherub youngsters flash toothy smiles. The children
may
derstand the foreign words that
not un-
fill
their
something inherent tells them photo may reach just the right fam-
ears, but this ily.
Preschool Natasha and Galina are perplexed yet intrigued. Like children anywhere, they long for a loving parental
touch. But the orphanage and
served emotional environment
know. They've been
re-
they
told of a better
life,
but can't quite visualize what
be
its
is all
it
might Photo courtesy Catholic Social Services
like.
Last month, Elizabeth Thurbee, director of Catholic Social Services
boarded a Russia-bound plane with Carol Mererriecks,
CSS
coordinator for
Vadim Philipou and Svetlana Orekchovo, 6, residents of Zouevo Orphanage near Moscow seem enlightened by The two Russian orphans hope to be adopted. Catholic Social Services through an arrangement with the Moscow Region of Adoptions is one of seven international agencies working to place Russian orphans from this region of Five-year-old
a
visiting kitty.
the
New
—
—
Federation.
International Adoptions for their second
orphanages CSS has come to know over the past five years. Their misvisit to the
exposure to the children for whom they've been asked to find American homes. Thanks to an arrangement with the Moscow Region of Adoptions, CSS is one sion: first-hand
of seven agencies
residents are
the diocesan social services
agency holds a double-edged sword. The challenge of international adoption
im-
the faint of heart,"
is
1
6 years of age.
The babies are easy placements, the older children are more difficult, riskier. As orphans reach their preteen years, their fate is bleak.
Since the initial 1994 placement, CSS has entwined 21 Russian children with American families. This time
Thurbee returns with a larger mission: finding homes for 59 adoptable orphans,
MIKE KROKOS
is
hard work and there
many
risks.
Any
adoption beyond
in-
Name
Editor
SALISBURY the legacy of the
— Ed Murphy hopes
newly created endow-
ment that bears his name serves the faithful for generations to come. Further, he offers his efforts as a challenge for oth-
fancy brings a child with emotional is-
ers in the diocese to replicate.
sues that must be
At the same time, Thurbee
50 years as an active member of Sacred Heart Church. From serving on the origi-
bears witness to the unconditional love
nal parish council to singing in the choir,
between a parent and child. With that in mind, CSS encourages family counseling before placement and after the arrival of the newest family
Murphy and late wife Eleanor "were
member. As Thurbee and
collection,"
are immeasurable.
to
By
adoption isn't for
immense, but the rewards
region. Collectively, the
Sacred Heart Parishioner Creates Church Endowment
able. "International
are
Of
newborn
is
mense, but the rewards are immeasur-
international adoption
Thurbee believes CSS is the only United States agency with connections to place Russian orphans from this region of the New Federation. CSS works with four orphanages
Moscow
has been called to
says Thurbee. "It
the seven agencies,
in the
And
to
collaborate in international adoptions.
CSS
The challenge of
worldwide selected by these particular Russian officials
the tallest order fill.
dealt with."
a partner in the process,
provide counseling services and stay in contact with families for as long as needed. Many times, sheer logistics pose staff
Murphy has
spent the better part of
we were
all sorts
a
Murphy
little
said. "In those days,
church and you did ev-
Now, the parishioner is giving back to the Salisbury parish
has established the
in
and
his
home
New England as well. Murphy
church
attempt maneuvers through the red tape
Educational Trust
$428,000.
Grants to Sacred Heart will be as the Eleanor C. Murphy Educational Trust Scholarship, and grants to Holy Name will be known as the Yates-
known
Murphy Educational "The reason was
my
Edward M. Murphy Endowment Fund to
benefit both Sacred Heart and Holy
Trust Scholarship.
for the
endowment
desire to help people
assist directly,"
Murphy
I
couldn't
said.
Church was the vehicle I could use the things
erything."
the greatest challenge as families-to-be
See Children, page 6
in-
of ways." "We taught Sunday School for 20something odd years, and I took up the
volved in
Church, his childhood parish in Bedford, Mass. The endowment increases the number of diocesan endowments to 24 and the total assets of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte to a market value of $2,439,000 as of June 30. The current Murphy endowment totals more than
New
"It is
I
"The to
do
wanted."
hoped
that this little bit will
help the single parents of this world whose spouses run away. They are the people who need it," he added. "They
See Endowment, page 13