By Joseph Younes
Unborn babies lost to abortion, stillbirth and miscarriage and and ectopic pregnancy were honoured and remembered in a moving and emotional Mass held on 9 March 2024 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.
The Mass, celebrated Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, and organised by independent Catholic charity Pregnancy Assistance, is held annually to commemorate the Annunciation of Jesus Christ and to celebrate the sacredness of all human life.
Pregnancy Assistance Counsellor Lisette Jas said “The Mass is an occasion to commemorate the Annunciation when Jesus, the Son of God became an unborn child in the womb of His Mother.”
During the Mass, those present honoured all those babies who have been lost, by placing a flower in baskets that were placed on the altar.
The death of a baby, Mrs Jas said, at any stage of pregnancy can be a very sad, distressing, and overwhelming time.
“It’s important to honour those lost and to also reach out to those families that have experienced abortion to let them know that there is support out there.
“We want people to know that healing is possible. When we act, we act with love and care for those in need,” she said.
Mrs Jas, a mother of five and a new grandmother, highlighted that it’s an opportunity for people experiencing post-loss trauma to come to the Mass to begin the process of healing.
Pope John Paul II tells us “that when you have been through the tragedy of loss through abortion, the Church calls you back into its loving embrace, bringing you hope that your little one is safe with God and that you will be reconciled with both”, she said.
Bishop Sproxton, in his homily, said the Mass is a “very special occasion” for the Archdiocese of Perth as the “families and parents recall the sad time in their lives when a baby was lost before they had the chance to be born.”
Bishop Sproxton went on to say that despite this, “there is a sense of hopefulness as the Mass provides healing at so many levels for the women and men who have been impacted by the loss.
For those experiencing loss, Bishop Sproxton said they are worthy of God’s love and mercy.
“We open our hearts to the mercy of God in the belief that we receive everything from the Father.
“We are all here today carrying our hurts, sadness, regrets and even guilt. But we are all here today because of gifts of God that have carried us through and beyond the losses we have suffered.”
Mrs Jas encouraged those affected by pregnancy loss to contact Pregnancy Assistance.
“We have created a safe space where you can express your emotions and move through your grief. All our services are free and confidential and our compassionate, qualified counsellors care about you, and walk with you in love,” she said.
About Pregnancy Assistance
Pregnancy Assistance is a Perth-based charity operating within the Archdiocese of Perth, initiated in 1996 by now Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey.
The East Perth organisation providing compassionate care, emotional, practical and informational support to women and men in need throughout their pregnancy and post birth.
They offer professional counselling for women and men affected by pregnancy loss (abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy).
They have for more than two decades relentlessly provided compassionate care, as well as emotional, practical and informational support to women in need throughout their pregnancy and post birth.
The organisation’s free and confidential services have been available to all people irrespective of religion, race, demographic or personal values. It is estimated that Pregnancy Assistance helps more than 1000 women and their families every year.
For more information and to donate please visit www.pregnancyassistance.org.au/donate