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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


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