Spiritual Adoption Program The Spiritual Adoption Program was begun and is spearheaded by the Archdiocese of Baltimore Respect Life Office. Additional information and resources can be found at http://www.archbalt.org/respect-life/spiritual-adoption/ If you need any assistance in accessing these resources, please contact the Diocese of Austin Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living at (512) 949-2486. Participants in the Spiritual Adoption Program pledge to pray for nine months for a baby in danger of abortion. While this child will remain unknown to his or her 'spiritual parent', God knows who the child is. Many people have found that naming 'their child' helps to keep them focused on the reality that their prayers are helping to save a particular baby and mother from the harm of abortion. This can be done in a parish or school setting, with age appropriate materials. The Purpose of the Spiritual Adoption Program is threefold: 1. Encourage prayer for those contemplating abortion, that they will respond to God's grace and welcome their child into life. 2. Educate adults and children about the development of the pre-born child. 3. Provide mothers in need with a 'baby shower' of donated baby gifts, or simply celebrate with a 'birthday party' at the conclusion of the program. In one school a crib was bought with monetary gifts and the students filled a crib with gifts for expectant mothers. At the beginning of the program a brief announcement asking the students or parishioners to pray is made at the school or parish. If desired, prayer cards can be distributed to all involved in the program. It is advisable to have the participants give their baby a name. The prayer can be recited each morning. For the following nine months one poster is displayed per month in a prominent place so everyone can see how 'his or her baby' is developing. Resources for the Spiritual Adoption Program can be found at http://www.archbalt.org/ respect-life/spiritual-adoption/resources/index.cfm. This includes color posters for display each month of the program, a letter to teachers, ideas for school, “Thank You” notes from the unborn child, prayer cards, sample pulpit and bulletin announcements, a pledge card and a Certificate of Spiritual Adoption. At the end of the program a 'baby shower' or 'birthday party' can be held and gifts of baby items donated given to a parish Gabriel Project or Gabriel Project Life Center. This is a great project for Catholic Confirmation preparation classes as it involves prayer, education and community service. Who can participate? Church members, students, prayer groups and anyone who is concerned about abortion, and who is willing to pray for babies in danger of abortion, "that they might have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

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While it is not always possible to see the particular effects of prayer, we know through Scripture that God wants us to pray, and we know by faith that He answers all prayers. The educational aspect of the program is beneficial to people of all ages, including children. Churches and schools are encouraged to display the very gentle and appealing full color posters that both depict and describe in words the baby's development each month. There is no mention of abortion on the posters. Some schools obtain enough sets of posters for each classroom and/or entrance or exit to the school. Where can posters and precious feet pins be purchased? The posters series is available for order online from the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Visit our online form, or [email protected] or simply phone in your order: 410-5475537. Precious feet pins (or precious hand pins) can be ordered through the Heritage House Catalog: 919 S. Main Street, Snowflake, AZ 85937. Phone: 1-800-858-3040 Fax: 1-928-536-7785. Heritage House also has an online catalog: www.heritagehouse76.com Prayer Cards There are two sources for prayer cards: Mr. Bob Paige of Novi, Michigan has three types of prayer cards, each with a different image on the front and, on the back, a brief description of Spiritual Adoption and a short prayer. These cards are also available in Spanish. You can phone Mr. Paige at: (248) 474-8064 or : [email protected] Mr. Arthur Maes of Denver, Colorado also prints and distributes prayer cards. The card has an image of Our Lady of Guadeloupe on the front, a brief description of the program and the short prayer composed by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on the reverse. His mailing address is: 11142 Osage Street, Northglenn, CO 80234. Phone: 720-977-9150.

Suggested Pulpit Announcement/Bulletin Insert This letter or announcement should be personalized for your parish (note the last sentence). My Dear Friends in Christ, With assaults on human life increasing at an alarming rate, I am asking you today to make a personal commitment to pray daily for one unborn child who is in danger of being aborted. Unfortunately, since the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, the number of abortions has increased to 1.4 million annually. Each of us is being asked to "spiritually adopt" one unknown baby for the next nine months. We will pray for this child that he or she will be carried to term and experience the fullness of life, as God intended. For just a moment, picture a young woman who just this week discovered that she is seven weeks pregnant. What she may not know is that her baby's heart has been beating for four weeks, it can flex its fingers and toes, suck on his or her thumb and is totally dependent on her. She may not know where to turn. She is considering aborting this baby. She may be under pressure from others and think there is no other option. But many people, like us, do care enough to help her and her baby. All our prayers can make a difference between whether this baby will be born - or aborted. Our prayers can also be a form of spiritual support for both of the baby's parents. Please take a prayer card placed at the end of each pew and pray the ten-second prayer daily for your "adopted child". You are also encouraged to name your baby and give him or her an identity. At the end of the nine-month period we will celebrate the "birth" of our spiritually adopted babies with a baby shower. In this way we can also help, in a very tangible way, the mother as she brings to term a beautiful gift of life. All gifts collected at the shower will be given to (the Gabriel Project or Gabriel Project Life Center) to help mothers in need. May God bless you and your loved ones. Sincerely yours, Pastor

Monthly Bulletin Announcements DAY 1: Developing Baby—“I’m here!”

Spiritual Adoption Program

At the moment the father’s sperm and mother’s egg unite a new and unrepeatable human being comes into existence, complete with his own unique set of DNA. Although he is only one cell, everything about this little person is already present: color of eyes, blood type, the height he will grow to be, color of hair – everything! He will play a role in his family and his community – a role only he can play! Nothing is added after conception to make him a complete human being. He already exists; all he needs is nourishment, a safe, warm environment, and most of all – love. His parents don’t even know he exists yet. Pray for them to safely bring their baby to birth so he can fulfill the mission God has for him. MONTH 1: Developing Baby—“My heart is beating!” Spiritual Adoption Program Your spiritually adopted baby has been quite active over the past month. Already your baby is 10,000 times bigger than at conception. Your baby has developed the foundations of her brain, spinal cord, and nervous system by the 20th day. Her heart began to beat on the 21st day, pumping blood through its own circulatory system and the blood type can be different from her mother’s. Your baby is most vulnerable during the next month of being aborted. Pray that the Lord of Life might move the heart of her mother to give her the most precious gift of all - - the gift of life. MONTH 2: Developing Baby—“I can jump!”

Spiritual Adoption Program

Your baby is making progress developing all of his external features and internal organs. His brain is functioning at 40 days. His mother can hear his heartbeat now on an ultrasonic stethoscope. Baby-teeth buds are present at 6 ½ weeks. And it has been reported that a two-month old baby can suck his thumb. From this moment, your spiritually adopted baby grows and refines his body. But everything he needs to survive after birth is already present by the end of the eighth week. MONTH 3: Developing Baby—“I can suck my thumb!” Spiritual Adoption Program Your baby is quite active in the womb now - - although her mother won’t feel her for another couple of months. If her mother’s womb had a window, you could watch your spiritually adopted baby squint, swallow and move her tongue. She can make a tight fist if you touch her palm. She is breathing amniotic fluid which continues until birth, although she obtains the oxygen her body needs through the umbilical cord. The baby you are praying for weighs one ounce. MONTH 4: Developing Baby—“I had a dream today!” Spiritual Adoption Program Well, your little baby now weighs six ounces. He has fingernails and eyelashes. He has his own unique fingerprints, which will remain the same until he dies. His taste buds are working. His sense of hearing is developing and present at 14 weeks. There are no major developments anymore. At this month rapid eye movements (REMs) can be detected – a sign of dreaming. Your spiritually adopted baby is already well-formed, internally and externally. All he needs now is time to gain weight and grow strong. What a miracle he is!

MONTH 5: Developing Baby—“Mommy felt me kick today!” Spiritual Adoption Program Your spiritually adopted baby weighs over one pound now, and his mother can feel his movement. Before this time he was too small for her to feel. Although he swam with ease in his watery world, he needed to be big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside wall and dent it - - the inside wall of the uterus has little feeling. We are mid-way through the pregnancy now. Your prayers have helped your baby’s mother continue with her pregnancy and seek the help she needs. MONTH 6: Developing Baby—“I’m sitting up straight now!” Spiritual Adoption Program Your spiritually adopted baby is developing quite beautifully now. Her weight is approaching 2 pounds. She sits up straight now to accommodate her internal organs which have moved into their final place in her little body. Babies born prematurely at this time have a very good chance of surviving. The medical advances in caring for extremely small newborn infants are extraordinary indeed. Don’t forget to pray for your baby. Abortion is legal through all nine months and her mom might still feel pressure to abort. MONTH 7: Developing Baby—“I can look around!”

Spiritual Adoption Program

You are in the home stretch with your spiritually adopted baby. Beginning this month the baby uses all four senses. He can see, hear, taste, touch, cough, yawn and hiccup. He now recognizes his mother’s voice. During this time he will also receive antibodies from his mother protecting him from a wide variety of diseases. MONTH 8: Developing Baby—“I like to listen to my Mommy’s voice!” Spiritual Adoption Program Now your spiritually adopted baby is finished developing and is concentrating on gaining weight; she might be making her mother uncomfortable with her size. She will need a layer of fat to help her stay warm after she leaves the perfect temperature inside her mother’s womb. For some weeks now she has recognized her mother’s voice. In a short time, her baby will be born. Your baby’s mother appreciated the prayers you have said for her and her baby throughout the pregnancy. It has not been easy, but your prayers have given her the grace she needed to bring her baby to term. “Here I am!”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPIRTUALLY ADOPTED BABY!

Your spiritually adopted baby was born this month - - nine months after her mother conceived her. The only change at birth is a change in the external life support system of the baby. She is no different now than she before birth except that she breathes and eats differently. She is truly a miracle. She began as a 46-chromosome cell and has grown over the past nine months into this unique human baby we now can see. Never before in history, nor ever again, will anyone exist who is exactly like your spiritually adopted baby. Your prayers saved her life. Thank you on behalf of all of the little babies and their mothers for your loving prayers that helped to bring them to birth “so that they might have life and have it to the full!” (John 10:10) Information on the developing baby was taken from: Abortion: Questions and Answers, Dr. and Mrs. John C. Wilke, © 1985, Hayes Publishing Company, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio.