Supporting those who carry the crosses of infertility and pregnancy loss
By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
As we continue celebrating Respect Life Month, The Catholic Sun is delving into the many beautiful healing ministries the Family/Respect Life Office provides to those in the Diocese of Syracuse. One such ministry is geared toward couples and families navigating the often difficult journeys of pregnancy loss and infertility. The statistics surrounding these topics are astounding: the World Health Organization estimates 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility, and the March of Dimes estimates that 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Lisa Hall, director of Family/Respect Life Ministry, explained that the Church offers ways and means for people to live according to God’s plan and design, and also wants to accompany those who carry the crosses of infertility and pregnancy loss.
“The biggest thing is that we just really want people to know that they’re not alone, that God loves them and understands their suffering,” Hall said. “He knows it, and He doesn’t leave us alone in it. That’s what we really want to help people know, that there are people who are familiar with the cross [they’re] bearing, either miscarriage or infertility, and that in the office, we’re happy to talk with them one-on-one, or direct them to further resources.”
And resources certainly are plenty when it comes to these topics. Kristin Dievendorf, family life & natural family planning (NFP) coordinator for Family/Respect Life Ministry, first pointed to the syracusenfp.org website, which gives abundant information regarding miscarriage and infertility awareness, including “a lot of information for restorative medical care,” including alternatives to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which she said is a big area of concern.
“We have some physicians in the Central New York and Western New York areas who are devout Catholics and will help couples learn [to use] the Creighton model of NFP to be able to track their cycles, identify hormonal imbalances, and investigate through a restorative approach a way of using their natural body cycles and target treatment that does not separate the act of creating life from the marital act and embrace,” she said, adding that medical guidance through NaPro (natural procreative technology) is becoming increasingly sought after.
Dievendorf also mentioned that Catholic infertility ministry has grown immensely within the past five years and has become a topic that people are willing to talk about more and more. She encourages the faithful to reach out to anyone who is carrying the cross of infertility: “They will be surprised at how many people are there to support them, if they’re willing to share and confide, and we’re more than happy to help support them and be a listening ear, as well.”
Additional resources that the Family/Respect Life office can help connect couples and families with include:
- Grief care packages, which offer rosaries, prayer cards, and a mother’s journal for grieving the loss of her child
- Catholic Cemeteries for free burials of miscarried babies or young children who have passed away
- The Fruitful Hollow, a Catholic ministry that offers accompaniment to couples struggling with infertility
- Red Bird Ministries, Catholic grief support for couples who have struggled with infant loss and miscarriage
- Springs in the Desert, an online Catholic support group for couples experiencing infertility
- A list of Catholic therapists who offer help and support for those experiencing more complex grief
Emphasizing the importance of walking with those who are struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss, Hall said, “Life issues happen in the midst of families, and that’s why it’s important to not be afraid to talk about these things — just helping people to know they don’t need to suffer in silence and there is a place to go for help.”
To access healing and support resources related to infertility and pregnancy/child loss for yourself or someone you know, visit syracusenfp.org, or contact Kristin Dievendorf with Family/Respect Life Ministry at (315) 472-6754, ext. 2 or [email protected].
Mass of Remembrance for Pregnancy and Child Loss
At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton, all are welcome to attend a Mass of Remembrance for pregnancy, infant, and child loss. Participants will be invited to light a candle in memory of lost loved ones. A light dinner will immediately follow Mass. Votive candles and grief resources will be available to take home.
