Editorial

Note: The following is based on a true story from Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County

Jamie (not her real name) was young and smart. She had aspirations of being a veterinarian. But she found out she was pregnant.

	Forty Days for Life Forty Days for Life is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week prayer vigil outside local abortion centers. It began on September 26 and ends on November 4. In Madison, it is being held outside Planned Parenthood on 3706 Orin Rd., off Hwy. 51. Visit www.40daysforlife.com/madison
	Related items this week: • Pro-life Sunday: Respecting life at all stages • Bishop Morlino --     Respect Life Month: Illness and abandonment • Pro-life event (sidebar)

She thought that giving birth might destroy her dreams. To make matters worse, she believed that if her parents found out she was pregnant, they would kick her out of their home.

Jamie made an appointment with Planned Parenthood to have an abortion. However, she wanted to limit the costs by finding another place to have an ultrasound.

Came for ultrasound. When Jamie was told that Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County did ultrasounds free of charge, she set up an appointment. She came to Care Net the first day it moved into its new clinic facilities at the Elizabeth House on Madison's east side.

By the time Jamie came for an appointment, her parents had found out about her pregnancy. And, as is often the case, they did not throw her out of the house. In fact, her father and some other family members came with her to the appointment. It turned out her father wasn't in favor of abortion and told Jamie he would be willing to adopt her child if she gave birth (although Care Net does not facilitate or initiate adoptions).

During the ultrasound, Jamie could see her unborn child moving on the screen and hear the baby's heart beating. Her eyes got big when she realized that it wasn't a blob of tissue, but a tiny person. The Care Net counselor went though all the different options with Jamie and their ramifications. Thankfully, Jamie's mind was already made up. She could not go through with an abortion. She decided to carry the baby to term and parent her child.

With the support of her family, Jamie's dreams still came true. And they would not include the nightmare of dealing with the emotional and spiritual pains of an abortion.

Caring network. Care Net Pregnancy Center is one of a network of pregnancy centers throughout the United States. These centers provide a caring network of support for women, men, and unborn children. They are dedicated to equipping women and men to make wise life choices and choose life for themselves and their unborn children. They also serve those affected by abortion by providing hope and healing.

I encourage people throughout the Diocese of Madison to support pregnancy centers and other efforts to help women choose life and assist them after the baby is born. Your prayers, volunteer efforts, gifts, and monetary donations are needed to keep these places of love and hope operating. Besides Care Net, Pregnancy Helpline of Madison also provides services for pregnant women and mothers. Check their Web sites to find out how you can help:

• www.carenetdane.org

• www.pregnancyhelpline.net

Mary C. Uhler

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