Mission to Magadan - Nativity Inn Edition

I just got my latest Mission to Magadan newsletter from the Archdiocese of Anchorage, AK. There are many good things reported on in the newsletter. For now, I would like to focus in on 1 story, Nativity Inn.

What is Nativity Inn? It was started by the Church of the Nativity in Magadan, Russia to provide "a sanctuary for expectant mothers who do not have the financial resources to continue a pregnancy without the Church’s help." They provide women with an alternative to getting an abortion. The women they help "come broken-hearted, scared, and desperate, often with feelings of abandonment. They may not be able to see the gift they have and instead see nothing but hopelessness and despair. They do not know how they will be able to raise the child." Some women have husbands & other children, some don't but they all have the same lack of finances.

What does Nativity Inn provide for the women it helps? "Nativity Inn provides maternity clothes, baby bottles, baby clothes, soap, towels, and other necessary supplies." & for those without a place to stay, they provide shelter. What they require of women who seek shelter the requirements are minimal. "They are asked to continue their education, to keep their doctor appointments, to remain sober and drug-free, and if their health permits, to contribute to the housekeeping duties at Nativity Inn." After the child's birth they continue to provide help for up to 3 years. They also help the women to get job skills & find housing so they can live independently.

A group that calls itself the Friends of Nativity Inn has been started in St. Louis, MO. Their purpose is to raise money to run the shelter as well as to provide the above needed items.

There are many ways you can help them out in this Pro-Life work. Clearly cash donations are an important way to help but there are many other things that can be done. Their help page includes the following suggestions: 1) organizing a baby shower; 2) organize a fundraiser; 3) tell others; 4) organize a local Friends of Nativity Inn; & of course 5) pray for the babies, mothers & fathers helped by Nativity Inn.

More information can be found by going to any of the above links. You can also get more information by contacting Connie Hood. Her address is:

100 S Brentwood BLVD

Suite 250

St. Louis, MO 63105-1695

Ph: 314-863-0500

e-mail: connieshood@aol.com

On 23 July 2007 Fr. David Means will be in St. Louis. There will be a Pro-Life Mass as well as an informational, orginizing, idea sharing meeting. The mass will be at 7:00pm at Incarnate Word Parish, 13416 Olive BLVD. For more info contact Connie Hood.

The Catholic Church calls on all of us to live out our faith by practicing the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy. They include clothing the naked, feeding the hungry & providing shelter for the homeless. The act of doing so is called almsgiving. Helping out with Nativity Inn is a way to live out this call to give alms.

"Give alms from your possessions. Do not turn your face away from any of the poor, and God's face will not be turned away from you. Son, give alms in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth, give alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of that. But do not hesitate to give alms; you will be storing up a goodly treasure for yourself against the day of adversity. Almsgiving frees one from death, and keeps one from going into the dark abode. Alms are a worthy offering in the sight of the Most High for all who give them. " Tobit 4:7-11