Reflection / Natalie Hoefer

Witnessing the Gospel of Matthew through crisis pregnancy ministries

I have long known of and had the privilege to report on crisis pregnancy ministries in central and southern Indiana. But through a recent incident, I now have a greater understanding of and profound gratitude for what they do, and for the donors, volunteers and staff who make these ministries possible.

I am friends with a young woman who was pregnant and was struggling financially. Her son was born seven weeks premature (praise God, he is progressing well). He came 11 days before her baby shower, so she had absolutely nothing the baby needed when he arrived—no diapers, no bottles, no baby wipes, no baby clothes, nothing.

She texted me after the early morning birth, beyond worried not just for her little premie, but also for how she would clothe and care for him.

I immediately contacted Birthline, which operates out of the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis. Once they had an official note confirming the birth, they prepared a wonderful package for my friend the very same day. It was filled with blankets, diapers, clothes and many other necessities for the baby. I was awed by the generosity and kindness of all those who have donated to Birthline, and by the wonderful volunteers and staff—particularly Jená Hartman—who make this ministry possible.

I then contacted St. Elizabeth Coleman in Beech Grove. They generously offered the same service, and both they and Birthline allow the mom to return within a few months—with a doctor’s or social worker’s note—to receive more as the baby grows.

Next, I contacted the Gabriel Project of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of all those who donate to the ministry and by the warm, gracious volunteers who keep it going. Debbie Timko greeted me with diapers and several bags of smaller items for the baby (and a wonderful pamper‑package for the mom). She then took me to a donated storage space to select larger items people had given—a pack-and-play, swing, changing table, stroller, sink bathing tub and more. As if these many items were not enough, she also offered to have volunteers prepare meals to be delivered to the family.

To the multitude of people who donate items, money or time to these and other such ministries: you will never know just how invaluable your contributions are and how much a mother in a crisis situation—like my friend—appreciates your generosity.

When my friend thanked me for bringing her all of the items, it struck me that that is all I did—I simply transported them to her. My two hands merely represented the hands of an untold number of caring, giving people serving as the hands of God in this world. It is to all of you who donate to and volunteer or work for these ministries that the thanks belong.

And this is just one instance in Indianapolis. I know the same generosity is shown multiple times every day in such ministries throughout the Church in central and southern Indiana.

Walking with someone who truly could not have provided for her baby without the help of crisis pregnancy ministries, I became witness to a myriad of souls comprising the “you” in Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew—“ ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’ ” (Mt 25:40).

May God bless each of you in turn as promised a few lines before in Matthew—“ ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ ” (Mt 25:34).
 

(Natalie Hoefer is a reporter for The Criterion.) †