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I really, really wish this were a bad April Fool's joke. Sadly, it isn't. 
Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Throw a man a fish and you can say "I care." and yet manage to look like a total douche in the process. 
Catholic Post - April 1, 2007 issue
Hundreds of unborn ‘adopted’ at parishes
By Tom Dermody
An adoption record was likely set in the Diocese of Peoria last weekend.
Hundreds of pre-born babies were "spiritually adopted" at parishes across the diocese participating in a new program combining prayer for those threatened by abortion and education about an unborn child’s nine months of development in the womb.
The "Feast of the Annunciation Church/School Program" also emphasizes that Jesus came to earth not on Christmas Day, but nine months earlier with Mary’s miraculous pregnancy. That’s why the nine-month period of prayer began in parishes on the March 25 Feast of the Annunciation.
"It’s taken off like a rocket," said Jan Smith, director of the Family Resources Center in Peoria, who created the program for diocesan use by combining elements already successfully being utilized elsewhere -- including prayer cards and a series of "Watch Me Grow!" posters describing monthly human development from conception to birth.
Smith said she was particularly inspired by a monthly prayerful reflection on Jesus’ development in the womb written by Helen Dietz of the Oak Park-based Annunciation Society. Linking the "Watch Me Grow!" posters and the reflections helps parishes "journey with Jesus in the womb" from Annunciation to Christmas, said Smith, and teaches the sacredness of all pre-born children.
At least a dozen parishes in the diocese debuted the program last weekend, inviting parishioners to fill out a certificate indicating their willingness to pray for an unborn child for the next nine months. Prayer cards were distributed featuring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one side and the following prayer by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on the other, to be recited daily:
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion."
The cards note that more than 4,000 babies are killed by abortion each day in the U.S. Those agreeing to "spiritually adopt" an unborn child are also invited to give that child a name.
"We had a very good response," said Terry Mitchell Monahan, who heads the respect life committee at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mahomet. Adoption cards were placed in each pew, she said, and after Mass the completed forms were gathered and placed in a basket by a Mary statue, where they will remain for the next nine months.
About 50 "adoptions" took place at St. Patrick’s Parish in Galesburg, according to Pat Tolle, who spoke at weekend Masses to describe the program.
"A lot of people said it was just a wonderful idea," said Tolle, adding that many families took the form home to complete.
At Sacred Heart Parish in Moline, the adoption forms came in pink or blue, according to Linda McNeill. About 150 forms were made available and all were taken, she said. In fact, one girl filled out forms of each color, saying she wanted to adopt twins.
McNeill said she has been spiritually adopting unborn children for about ten years.
"There are a lot of babies I will get to meet in heaven one day," she said.
At the conclusion of the nine months of prayer, most parishes have planned a "baby shower" for the feast of the Epiphany, at which time parishioners will be invited to bring baby items for the spiritually adopted children. The gifts will then be donated to a local crisis pregnancy center.
Smith called the diocesan program "a synthesis of all the good others have done." She said other dioceses -- including the Diocese of Wichita, which requested nearly 100 folders -- have expressed interest.
"I hope it continues to grow," Smith said, adding that the Feast of the Annunciation deserves to be viewed by the faithful with the same spiritual significance as Christmas. More information on the Spiritual Adoption Program is available by calling the Family Resources Center at (309) 637-1713.
Hundreds of unborn ‘adopted’ at parishes
By Tom Dermody
An adoption record was likely set in the Diocese of Peoria last weekend.
Hundreds of pre-born babies were "spiritually adopted" at parishes across the diocese participating in a new program combining prayer for those threatened by abortion and education about an unborn child’s nine months of development in the womb.
The "Feast of the Annunciation Church/School Program" also emphasizes that Jesus came to earth not on Christmas Day, but nine months earlier with Mary’s miraculous pregnancy. That’s why the nine-month period of prayer began in parishes on the March 25 Feast of the Annunciation.
"It’s taken off like a rocket," said Jan Smith, director of the Family Resources Center in Peoria, who created the program for diocesan use by combining elements already successfully being utilized elsewhere -- including prayer cards and a series of "Watch Me Grow!" posters describing monthly human development from conception to birth.
Smith said she was particularly inspired by a monthly prayerful reflection on Jesus’ development in the womb written by Helen Dietz of the Oak Park-based Annunciation Society. Linking the "Watch Me Grow!" posters and the reflections helps parishes "journey with Jesus in the womb" from Annunciation to Christmas, said Smith, and teaches the sacredness of all pre-born children.
At least a dozen parishes in the diocese debuted the program last weekend, inviting parishioners to fill out a certificate indicating their willingness to pray for an unborn child for the next nine months. Prayer cards were distributed featuring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one side and the following prayer by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on the other, to be recited daily:
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion."
The cards note that more than 4,000 babies are killed by abortion each day in the U.S. Those agreeing to "spiritually adopt" an unborn child are also invited to give that child a name.
"We had a very good response," said Terry Mitchell Monahan, who heads the respect life committee at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mahomet. Adoption cards were placed in each pew, she said, and after Mass the completed forms were gathered and placed in a basket by a Mary statue, where they will remain for the next nine months.
About 50 "adoptions" took place at St. Patrick’s Parish in Galesburg, according to Pat Tolle, who spoke at weekend Masses to describe the program.
"A lot of people said it was just a wonderful idea," said Tolle, adding that many families took the form home to complete.
At Sacred Heart Parish in Moline, the adoption forms came in pink or blue, according to Linda McNeill. About 150 forms were made available and all were taken, she said. In fact, one girl filled out forms of each color, saying she wanted to adopt twins.
McNeill said she has been spiritually adopting unborn children for about ten years.
"There are a lot of babies I will get to meet in heaven one day," she said.
At the conclusion of the nine months of prayer, most parishes have planned a "baby shower" for the feast of the Epiphany, at which time parishioners will be invited to bring baby items for the spiritually adopted children. The gifts will then be donated to a local crisis pregnancy center.
Smith called the diocesan program "a synthesis of all the good others have done." She said other dioceses -- including the Diocese of Wichita, which requested nearly 100 folders -- have expressed interest.
"I hope it continues to grow," Smith said, adding that the Feast of the Annunciation deserves to be viewed by the faithful with the same spiritual significance as Christmas. More information on the Spiritual Adoption Program is available by calling the Family Resources Center at (309) 637-1713.
Plus, I don't think I really want kids. I'd risk continuing a cycle that started with my grandmother and I'd rather break the chain now instead of inflicting it on any offspring, mine or adopted. Hopefully my cousins will fair better rearing kids and carrying the family line... 
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