MADISON — St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, will host an informative presentation exploring the Catholic perspective on issues related to fertility on Monday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the parish social hall. 

Dr. Michael Kloess from Our Lady of Hope Clinic in Middleton will explain the Church’s teaching on issues related to assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), and outline the life-affirming alternatives available to those struggling with fertility issues. 

The event is sponsored by the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Respect Life Team, whose leader said the group identified IVF and assisted reproductive technology as a pro-life issue that many people, including Catholics, don’t completely understand.

“First and foremost, we want to spotlight the great work of Our Lady of Hope Clinic in providing life-
affirming resources and care to families struggling with fertility issues,” said Greg Chesmore, the groups leader. 

“We are so fortunate to have expertise here in the Diocese of Madison that can offer hope and real help.” 

Chesmore noted that many well-meaning people support expanded availability of technology such as IVF without realizing that multiple human embryos are created during the process, with many ultimately destroyed.

In 2025, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released a resource, “A Catholic Primer on IVF,” which begins by saying, “Today, for a wide range of possible reasons, more and more couples are experiencing the pain of infertility. Many, understandably, deeply desire to have biological children and turn to biomedical technologies like IVF to try to fulfill their dreams. 

“As Catholics, however, our faith teaches that these popular procedures are not the answer. In fact, they are harmful and wrong, and even tragically result in the deaths of many innocent children while they are young embryos. It is important to consider these realities when thinking about infertility treatments.”

The document goes on to discuss ethical fertility treatments, of which the Catholic Church approves. 

“These can take many forms but are collectively referred to as “restorative reproductive medicine. 

“Restorative reproductive medicine investigates and seeks to heal the root causes of the couple’s infertility (which can vary) rather than ignoring or bypassing the causes of infertility.”
 

“The Church continues to compassionately offer guidance and support to couples facing fertility issues, while steadfastly defending the dignity of the human person,” said Chesmore. 

“It’s our job to help spread this message and spotlight the life-affirming and effective alternatives to IVF.”

No registration is required for the event.