Sunday, October 13th - Mass for Families  who have lost Children
 The 9:00am Mass next Sunday, October 13, in the Rosemont Chapel, will be offered in remembrance of any children in our parish and community who have died in the circumstances of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. This will be a regular weekend mass with intentions and a post Communion meditation offered specifically for these families. Please place this special Mass  on your calendar and consider attending to support hurting families in our parish. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month,  and the feast of St. Gerard is October 16. St. Gerard’s intercession is sought for children,  unborn children, and motherhood
My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is;  I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hope for from the LORD, But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope:  The favors of the LORD are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent;  They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.  My portion is the LORD, says my soul;  therefore I will hope in him.  -
​Lamentations 3:17-18, 21-24​

HOW WE CAN HELP...
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PRAYER
​​We are always praying for families affected by the death of a child. Please contact our ministry to request prayer for yourself or a loved one, even if you wish to be prayed for anonymously. Our volunteers regularly pray for families, and we pass prayer requests to our parish priests and parish Prayer Line ministry as well.

​LITURGIES & REMEMBRANCES
​In God’s Hands dedicates a weekend mass annually to the babies in our parish and community who have been lost through a miscarriage, stillbirth, or early death. This liturgy is typically held in October, National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, near the feast of St. Gerard Majella. If you are interested in participating in a more private service, please let us know. Our priests can also provide the Sacrament
​of the Anointing of the Sick over ill infants, mothers who are suffering a miscarriage or perinatal loss, and families experiencing emotional distress over their loss.

​HELP AROUND THE HOME
​Household duties can sometimes be too stressful to handle alone during a time of grief. We can help to connect you to our parish’s Dinners to the Doorstep which can provide meals when needed.
FAMILY TO FAMILY SUPPORT
​Our volunteers have all experienced loss of a child or children. We would be happy to personally minister to you and your family, to respect your privacy. Contact us to be matched with a family who has experienced a similar loss. It’s up to you and your family how you’d like support, whether via phone or email, or meeting in person. Our volunteers are trained to listen to your story and share their own experiences, as well as to help connect you to helpful local resources. We are passionate about providing support to all family members, and have some volunteers who specifically minister to
grandparents. We hope your relationship with your
family will continue—we are here to support you through any infertility or pregnancy anxieties, too.

RESOURCES & INFORMATION
​We can provide you with some inspirational Christian
literature on experiencing the loss of an unborn or infant child, as well as literature about the grief process. If you desire to be connected to local resources for grief
counseling or support groups, we can let you know of local professionals who focus on perinatal and grief issues. We have volunteers who are trained to assess whether counseling and additional emotional support may be beneficial to your family.


​BURIAL SUPPORT

If you have the opportunity to bury your child, and wish to do so, please contact us for helpful information. We can connect you with Catholic merchants who carry small caskets for miscarried babies, as well as let you know of services local funeral homes and cemeteries can provide to you. If you have been told that you will
miscarry, and plan to miscarry at home, we can point you to resources regarding collecting your baby’s remains in a dignified manner. We are also here to help you
navigate the process with your doctor or midwife. Our parish priests also wish to minister to you through a liturgy, prayer service, or graveside service.
Ministry Founders: Brian and Cayce Farina |   Phone: 484-206-7975   |   Email: cayce.l.farina@gmail.com
St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Office | 1229 E. Lancaster Ave | Rosemont, PA  19010 | Phone: 610.525.4801 | Fax: 610.525.6041