A Mass of Hope and Healing set for next month by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has a two-fold purpose.
Children lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, illness, trauma, injury or early infant death will be remembered.
Prayers will also be offered for those waiting to adopt or conceive, and those facing an adverse prenatal diagnosis.
All are invited to attend the 6 p.m. Mass Tuesday, Oct. 15, with Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki at St. Mary, Hales Corners. It was purposely set for Oct. 15, the national day of remembrance for child loss.
“At the Mass of Hope and Healing, we come together as a community to support one another through prayer. It’s a time for anyone who’s grieving, feeling anxious, or carrying regret to find comfort and peace,” said Dcn. James Matthias, Respect Life Ministry Director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
The Mass of Hope and Healing will begin with the placement of a rose that represents a child or a hoped-for child, with the child’s name attached, said Dcn. Matthias.
“The Mass allows us to offer these lives into God’s hands,” he said. “We hope that it brings healing, peace and a sense of hope to everyone who joins us.”
Tori Franke, the Natural Family Planning Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will be present at the Mass to offer prayerful support for parents who are dealing with infertility issues.
“This Mass is an opportunity for us to stand alongside each other during a time of grief,” Franke said. “With these types of heartache, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Here, Christ wants to meet you with his merciful gaze, and the broader Church wants to do the same.”
Other Respect Life Opportunities
Life’s Connection is a faith-based, pro-life pregnancy and health care center. Located in Waukesha and Mukwonago, their centers are the largest in Wisconsin providing thousands of free services to clients each year.
Life’s Connection (lifesconnection.info) not only serves low- to moderate-income families who are at risk of poor nutrition, high-risk pregnancies and lack of support, but also serves anyone in need of care and compassion.
Their Hearts of Hope program is essential for anyone who has faced or is going through the heartbreaking experience of losing a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss, whether in the past or present, explained Krys Crawley, Executive Director of Life’s Connection, who will attend the Mass of Hope and Healing.
“Every parent deserves a supportive space during their most challenging moments during the loss of a baby,” she said. “Each baby should be honored and remembered. Services and burials play a crucial role in helping parents to heal, and celebrate the life of their child, even in utero.”
For those interested in Life’s Connections, Crawley said they serve with compassion and mercy in a loving environment.
“Hearts of Hope provides support during the loss, burial vessels, miscarriage delivery aids, a sacred holding site for miscarried babies, service and burial planning. And it is free to anyone who needs us.”
As the Respect Life Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Colleen Kremer understands the pain men and women may experience after abortion. She encourages those who have played a role in abortion to attend the Mass of Hope and Healing.
“At the heart of our Catholic faith is love and mercy. This Mass for child loss can be a Mass of Hope and Healing for those who have succumbed to the lies of abortion,” she said. “This is an opportunity for individuals to begin their healing journey or continue their journey growing closer to Christ. Our God is a loving God who desires all his children to return to him. Jesus came to this earth in reparation for our sins. He desires to lead us to healing and bring us into right relationship with God our Father.”
Project Rachel is a program that can accompany those who are dealing with the aftermath of an abortion decision. Contact Project Rachel at 414-389-8822, ProjectRachel@archmil.org, or archmil.org/projectrachel.
Life’s Connection can be reached at 262-470-1139 (Mukwonago) or 262-290-5433 (Waukesha).
Franke can be reached at franket@archmil.org or 414-758-2241.
