AROUND THE DIOCESE
Finding Hope Ministry supports grieving families after child loss
S
urely, one of the most exhilarating and miraculous moments for a woman is when she discovers she is pregnant. Depending on the woman’s situation, the moment may include negative emotions, but the wonder and shock that there is a new creation now growing inside her cannot be overlooked. Woman was created and designed to bear life. Not always in a physical capacity, but certainly Finding Hope Ministries invites you to a Day of Hope, a day to having a baby is one of the remember and to serve others physical manifestations of who are grieving the loss of a child every woman’s vocation on April 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at to bring life to the world. Blessed Sacrament Church, West It is devastating, then, for Fargo. (Emily Dieter) a woman to discover that the very life she was created to bear and protect has died within her womb or shortly after birth. As I lost three of my children through miscarriage over the span of three years, it crushed me and made me doubt my very goodness as a woman and as a mother. It took, and still is taking, time and healing to find hope and meaning through these baby’s deaths. That is how and why Finding Hope Ministry was born. Another mother and I, who have experienced the conception of 15 children between the two of us, eight of whom died in the womb, came together and discerned the need to reach out to women and families who have gone through losses such as ours. Since the conception of our ministry, Kelsey Lako and I have hosted a few events and met with women one-on-one to offer a listening ear, but our main work has involved creating and bringing grief baskets to families after the loss of a baby. We hope and pray that these baskets show compassion to families that have lost a child and will be a sign that we are suffering with them in their grief, yet also rejoicing with them in the eternal life of the child they have brought into the world. We are excited to open our ministry to others who, like us, have been deeply impacted by the loss of a child and who desire to share compassion with others experiencing the loss of a baby. On Saturday, April 28, we will be hosting a Day of Hope. All
By Katie Eskro
women who have been affected by loss, whether they are the mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, etc. of a baby gone too soon, are invited. This Day of Hope will be a time to come together and create grief baskets to be used throughout the year as we encounter families who are going through a loss. Participants will be able to personalize their basket if they desire, and even write a letter to the family who will be receiving their basket, if they desire. After assembling our baskets, we will enjoy a simple lunch together. Lunch and all materials will be provided at no cost. We are also accepting donations to help cover the cost of materials to put in the baskets. Each basket costs $30. If you are interested in donating monetarily or if you’d like a list of needed items that you could donate, just contact us. Please register by calling or texting Katie at (320) 980-5368 or emailing us at findinghopeafterloss@gmail.com.
NEW EARTH MARCH 2018
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