“Loving and caring for each other is at the heart of family life.”
Joy filled the St. Vincent de Paul Chapel at the Rigali Center on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. The sounds of giggles and little footsteps echoed in the halls as families met to celebrate the beauty of adoption in their lives.
Three families who received the Archbishop Robert J. Carlson Adoption Grant gathered for a special blessing from Bishop Mark Rivituso followed by a small reception to celebrate their growing families.
The love and adoration these adopted parents have for their children is palpable. As one dad said beaming, “We are so happy to be here for the blessing with our little blessing” as he held his baby daughter’s hand.
The families who were able to join us welcomed their adoptive children—three beautiful little girls—into their homes this past year and were financially supported by the generous donations made to the ARJC Adoption Grant.
After Alli Coiro, Director of the Office of NFP, welcomed the families and their guests, Bishop Rivituso read from the Gospel of Mark when Jesus welcomed and blessed the little children.
Bishop Rivituso then offered a brief homily reflecting on the beauty of family life, duty of parents, and how the Church is here to lovingly support and help. He gave God thanks for the gift of the adopted children received into their families, and also for the gift of family life. He offered gratitude for “[The] families because it shows how God works in a very beautiful way in family life.” He asked the Lord to bless the families and keep their members centered upon Christ and His love.
He concluded his homily by reminding the adoptive families that the Church is here to pray for and support them, not just today but every step of the way as the families continue to grow. Bishop Rivituso shared that they have “family in the Church, as well.”
After his homily, Bishop Rivituso provided a blessing to each family. During the blessing, he asked this question to the parents: You have received these children into your families. Will you love and care for them? He reminded the doting parents that the answer “we will” is not only an answer they give on that special day, but every day. Bishop Rivituso encouraged that loving and caring for each other is at the heart of family life.
Along with the blessing, Bishop Rivituso gave each family a blessed statue of St. Joseph, the patron saint of adoptive parents. St. Joseph provided for the holy family. Bishop Rivituso encouraged us all in our calling to model our families after the Holy Family so that our families may reflect their holiness and our vocation of loving and caring for one another.
After the blessing, the families gathered down the hall to connect and celebrate their little girls. The parents had a chance to meet with couples who walked a similar long, but blessed journey.
Thank you to all who contributed financially to the ARJC Adoption Grant. Your gift to these families is so appreciated and has made a life changing difference!
For information or to donate to the Archbishop Robert J. Carlson Adoption Grant, please click here. The adoption grant is funded entirely by private donations and fundraising efforts. The more we raise, the more we can give to deserving families.