Receiving the news that your unborn child is ill or has a fatal diagnosis is devastating. In far too many cases the medical community recommends termination of the pregnancy. There are many mothers, however, who do not believe that abortion is their answer. In an effort to support these mothers who have chosen life and are continuing a difficult pregnancy, Elizabeth Ministry at St. Francis Cathedral has formed a new group called Pieta.

Michelangelo's Pieta is the ultimate image of maternal suffering. It is the image of Mary holding the body of her son, Jesus, after he was taken down off the cross. This image captures the essence of the sorrow and grief, as well as the strength and grace, that is felt by so many mothers who have lost a child.

The moms of Pieta ministry have all chosen to continue a difficult pregnancy and most have endured the birth and loss of their babies. They now offer support to other moms in need. Pieta can be contacted through Elizabeth Ministry at St. Francis Cathedral (732-548-0100 x 225), or by e-mail: pietamoms@aol.com. If you are a mom who has already endured a difficult pregnancy and would now like to help Pieta, please contact us. We would love to meet you.

"You shall pray to me and I will hear you You shall seek me and shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart."  [Jeremiah 29: 12 - 13]

Rachel’s Garden is a group of people that provide prayer support for the Project Rachel Program in the Diocese of Metuchen. By offering prayers and/or personal sacrifices, members of Rachel’s Garden hope to obtain for Project Rachel personnel the grace they need to perform their post-abortion healing ministry. The grace from prayer is critical in strengthening the Project Rachel personnel as they encourage women and men to embrace God’s mercy. Rachel’s Garden also offers prayers for those who have had an abortion, that they may have the courage to turn to Project Rachel and start on a path of healing.

Please consider becoming a prayer worker in Rachel’s Garden.
If interested, please e-mail to: jruggiero@diometuchen.org

A new, local charity established to aid unwed mothers, will visit the Cathedral this weekend to share the vision of its program and to ask parishioners for their assistance. Its mission is to offer housing and essential supportive services for single mothers in a caring environment. Please consider volunteering your time and talent to make a difference, one life at a time.

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Have you experienced an abortion or know someone who has? 

The Project Rachel Program provides sensitive, confidential counseling which allows one to move toward reconciliation with oneself, one’s unborn child, one’s church, and one’s God.

Information: (toll free) 877-877-4300 or 
    Website: www.hopeafterabortion.com. 

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Join a Ministry where we measure success one cuddle at a time! 

If you like to smile, if you like to share the love of Christ Jesus, if you’d like to make an eternal difference in the lives of others, you might want to consider becoming a staff volunteer at Life Choices Resource Center at 503 Main Street in Metuchen  (formerly known as Problem Pregnancy Center). 

If interested, please phone Ann Marie or Maureen at: 
         732-516-0911 or
         1-888-OPT-4-HER (888-678-4437) .

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Are you or someone you know pregnant and in need of help? Catholic Charities Maternity Program offers supportive counseling and assistance to pregnant woman, fathers-to-be and/or families. Counseling is confidential and explores all possible parenting options. 

Information: Sr. Joanne Donovan or Cindy McElhenny (324-8200).

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Are you interested in building your family through adoption? 

Catholic Charities provides the services necessary to adopt in New Jersey. It has recently added two new services to respond to families seeking to adopt and to children needing homes. It is now providing Home Study Services to facilitate international adoptions and it is also seeking adoptive families for older children between the ages of 8 - 12 years, who have a history of multiple placements and who need permanent homes. 

Phone Sr. Joanne Donovan or Kerry Keating at Catholic Charities (324-8200).

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If you are interested in learning about natural methods of family planning, and wish to gain valuable knowledge about fertility, classes and information are available. Natural Family Planning is the only method which is 100% safe, highly effective and easy to learn. It works with your body, not against it and requires participation of both husband and wife. 

Please phone the toll free line for more information: 800-334-0699.  
To register for classes please phone the Family Life Office (651-8084).

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