Winter 2015 - St. John Paul II Life Center

Fall 2015
EMBRACE A BETTER CHOICE!
GOD DELIVERS GRACE
Issue 14 | Winter 2015
WOMB WITH A VIEW
Maryellen and Jason Schindler came to
The Vitae Clinic this past January. She had
struggled with infertility for about a decade,
first in a previous marriage and then with
Jason. While Jason brought two sons from
a previous marriage into Maryellen’s
life, who she loves dearly, she longed to
experience God’s precious gift of childbirth
and have a child.
Advent is the season we celebrate our blessed
Mother Mary, and her bravery in the face of
the world’s most unexpected pregnancy. The
St. John Paul II Life Center embraces life and
supports women in crisis pregnancies and those
struggling to conceive.
See “Grace” on page 2
As you make year-end charitable giving
decisions, we prayerfully ask you to include
St. John Paul II Life Center. Like the lives
we save, no gift is too small.
2,000+ ATTEND
PRO-LIFE, PRO-FAMILY FAIR
Dr. Jeremy Kalamarides and Sonographer Denise Cook with St. JPII
Life Center’s 3D/4D sonogram.
I came to the St. John Paul II Life Center
with a dear friend, her young daughter
and a rosary. Her daughter was facing an
unexpected pregnancy and a heavy decision.
At that time, the young lady saw abortion
as her only way out. But, in the 12 hours
before her visit to St. JPII Life Center, Dr.
Kalamarides and Kimberly Guidry-Speirs
gave up their Saturday plans and opened the
Life Center doors.
Attendees saw live sonograms, received baby models, and
learned about Catholic teachings on life and family.
More than 2,000 attended Austin’s first
Pro-Life, Pro-Family Fair at Sacred Heart
Parish on Oct. 4, 2015. St. John Paul II Life
Center and The Vitae Clinic were thrilled
to co-sponsor the event with Sacred Heart
Parish. This bilingual event provided
resources and information on women’s
health and family issues as agencies from
throughout the Diocese of Austin offered
opportunities for involvement.
See “Pro-Life Fair” on page 3
End of year giving:
Save a Life this
Advent Season!
All contributions postmarked by Dec. 31,
2015 will be tax-deductible in 2015. Or consider
giving online at www.jpiilifecenter.org.
So far this year we’ve seen 184 clients. Only
two have confirmed abortion.
Last year we served 95 clients.
We are in immediate need of client
advocates and spiritual companions.
If God is calling you, please contact us!
512-407-2900
[email protected]
As a sonographer by trade, it is part of my
job to navigate the waters as an educational
tool. I often think of it as a womb with a view.
After visiting St. JPII Life Center with my
friend, I became a volunteer sonographer.
KEY:
Healthcare
Crisis Pregnancy
See “View” on page 3
Education
The average cost to St. JPII Life Center
per sonogram is $400. (It is free to clients,
but we have to pay for equipment, facility,
staff, etc.)
INSIDE:
Calendar & Events........................... page 2
End of Year......................................... page 3
Page 2 | Issue 14 | Winter 2015
GRACE
Continued from Page 1
Upon the advice of her OB-GYN, Maryellen
and Jason began seeing a reproductive
endocrinologist, who recommended that they
begin fertility drugs. After trying various
drugs, including Clomid to induce ovulation,
Maryellen still struggled to conceive. In
the fall of 2014, the doctor told Maryellen
and Jason their next step would be in vitro
fertilization (IVF). Although Maryellen
and Jason endured periods of hopelessness
regarding Maryellen’s infertility, they knew
IVF was not right for them.
As Maryellen approached her 40th
birthday, she and Jason began to face the
reality that she may never conceive a child.
“I definitely had times when I was angry
at God,” said Maryellen. “The thought of
never being able to have children was allconsuming at times.”
Jason and Maryellen Schindler credit NaProTECHNOLOGY for
their long-awaited pregnancy.
At the beginning of 2015, Maryellen
listened to a podcast on Catholic Answers
featuring Dr. Thomas Hilgers, the founder of
NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative
Technology). NaPro is a state-of-the-art
women’s health science that monitors
and maintains a woman’s reproductive
and gynecological health, holistically
and in line with Catholic teaching. He
mentioned a practice in Austin that utilized
NaProTECHNOLOGY and Jason and
Maryellen scheduled an appointment.
“When we finally saw Dr. Jeremy
Kalamarides, we knew that no matter what
happened, we were on the path that God led
us to, and we were staying true to our faith,”
said Maryellen. “We knew that if it was
God’s will, it would happen. We had to trust
Him either way.”
In May 2015, after a decade-long struggle
with infertility, Maryellen became pregnant,
just four short months after seeing Dr.
Kalamarides. They are expecting a baby girl,
who they plan to name Grace, in February.
For more information on NaProTECHNOLOGY
please visit www.vitaeaustin.com.
Celebrating Five Years: Thousands Served and Hundreds of Lives Saved!
Five years ago, we opened the doors to
the first place in the nation that provides
Catholic OB-GYN care, crisis pregnancy
services, and education all under one roof.
Since then, St. JPII Life Center and The
Vitae Clinic have cared for more than 3,100
patients, delivered 550+ babies, helped
nearly 300 mothers to embrace life, and
educated thousands!
While we are incredibly grateful for
God’s provision, St. JPII Life Center
would not be possible without all of those
who help. We would like to extend a huge
thank you to those who serve Central
Texas families, women, and children. And,
Happy Anniversary!
Schedule for
Holy Mass
St. JPII Life Center’s Board of Directors celebrated our five year anniversary with cake – and an interactive tour of the Center for
Circle of Life members. Members met crisis clients, infertility patients, witnessed live sonograms, and more. To schedule a tour of
the Center, contact us at [email protected] or 512-407-2900.
Thursday, December 10 at 11:00 am with Fr. Francisco Rodriguez
Mass will be celebrated at the St. JPII Life Center Chapel.
ST. JPII LIFE CENTER NEWS • [email protected] • www.jpiilifecenter.org • 512-407-2900
Issue 14 | Winter 2015 | Page 3
VIEW
Continued from Page 1
Ever since, I have seen many a scared woman
and, while they always stick with me, there
is one in particular that captured my heart:
a crisis client in need of a sonogram, and
a miracle. A young woman battling a drug
addiction arrived at St. JPII Life Center in
between appointments at abortion facilities
with her mother. Before her abortion, an
ultrasound was needed, but the abortion
facility only offered a cash-pay option. She
was told that St. JPII Life Center offers
ultrasounds free of charge, so she came into
the Center.
When she and her mother entered the
ultrasound room, it was made clear that
this pregnancy was to have a quick ending.
Hearts were hard and set, but something else
was yet to happen.
We actively watched the baby in the
ultrasound room as he was old enough to
see the lens of his eyes shift, he could turn,
practice breathing and, yes, proudly show us
that he was a little boy. The room remained
silent and antiseptic. When the young
woman fell asleep, her mother began asking
questions and watching the screen from
a slightly different perspective. When the
young mother woke up, she began asking her
own questions, genuinely showing concern
for the baby’s health and development and,
like many mothers, inquisitive as to if baby
was a boy or a girl.
Months later I received a text of a photo
of a perfect, beautiful newborn along with
the words “you saved his life.” But, I beg to
differ with this accolade. While this young
mother has credited the ultrasound as the
single cause of her life-giving decision,
it was a combined effort. The Knights
PRO-LIFE FAIR
Continued from Page 1
In addition to information on women’s
health such as NaProTECHNOLOGY,
Natural Family Planning, and infertility,
the Vitae Clinic showed live sonograms.
Eyes were glued to the sonogram as
participants realized God’s gift of life truly
does begin in the womb. The faces of little
ones lit up in wonder as they held 10-week
baby models in their hands and learned that
their own heartbeat began when they were
just 18 days old after conception.
By empowering families to combat the
challenges of family life, The Pro-Life,
Pro-Family fair’s mission aligned with
Pope Francis’s International Synod on the
Family. In the Pope’s visit to the United
States, the Holy Father addressed the
of Columbus donated the machine. The
volunteer client advocate spoke to her for
hours and made herself available 24/7. The
dedication of Dr. Kalamarides, Kimberly
Guidry-Speirs, the board of directors,
volunteers and countless others brought the
St. JPII Life Center to life. Most importantly,
while pressing the right buttons on the
ultrasound machine, the Holy Spirit took
over and did all of the hard work.
This descent of the Holy Spirit in the
sonogram room must be similar to what the
disciples experienced at Pentecost. Today,
each of you who support St. JPII Life Center
- whether financially, spiritually or as a
volunteer - are disciples. Each of you allow
the Holy Spirit to speak through you in a
special language to set the world on fire.
– Denise Cook, RDMS, parishioner,
St. Helen’s Catholic Church
importance of the Church’s commitment to
family and life. With the fair’s occurrence
in conjunction with the first day of the
Synod, Sacred Heart Parish provided
resources for the community to live in line
with the Catholic faith.
Thanks to all who participated and
volunteered their time to help others recognize
the beauty of God’s gift of fertility and life.
Events Calendar
JA N UA RY
7-28
Intro to Theology of the
Body with Denise Abele
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Consecutive Thursdays
St. JPII Life Center (suite 110)
Four sessions – meets
every Thursday for four
consecutive Thursdays.
$40 per person. Participants
can register online or mail in
a payment. To register online
go to austindiocese.org
F E BRUA RY
11
Intro to Creighton Model
FertilityCare with Diana Arteaga
–Austin Fertility Care
7:00 - 9:00 pm | Vitae Clinic Lobby
(suite 115)
$35 per couple
[email protected]
25
27
Embrace
7:00 pm | Full Life Community Church
Free of charge
Blossom en Espanol
10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
$10 includes lunch
To purchase tickets, visit jpiilifecenter.org
M A RCH
1-2
9
10
Crisis Pregnancy Client
Advocate Training
9:00 am - 5 pm both days
St. JPII Life Center (suite 110)
Free of charge
[email protected]
Amplify Austin
Austin’s annual “festival of giving”
which enables gifts to be matched by
community businesses.
Intro to Creighton Model
FertilityCare with Diana Arteaga
–Austin Fertility Care
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Vitae Clinic Lobby (suite 115)
$35 per couple | [email protected]
ST. JPII LIFE CENTER NEWS • [email protected] • www.jpiilifecenter.org • 512-407-2900
Page 4 | Issue 14 | Winter 2015
Sold Out Benefit Dinner Raises Support for Life
A special thanks also goes out to Fr. Mike
Dolan for opening the evening in prayer and
Fr. Mark Hamlet for the closing prayer.
Another special guest at the dinner was
First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott who
accepted the “Dignity in Life” award for both
her and Governor Abbott. Several clients,
patients and others served by St. JPII Life
Center also attended to the dinner.
The event could not have been a success
without the amazing committee, sponsors,
volunteers, board and staff.
Accepting the “Dignity in Life Award” on behalf of herself and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott with St.
John Paul II Life Center Board members Tim and Pat Von Dohlen.
At the 5th Annual Benefit Dinner on Nov. 11,
St. John Paul II Life Center hosted more than
800 guests at the Renaissance Hotel. The dinner
raised over $240,000 toward our $300,000 goal
to further St. JPII Life Center’s mission!
The Benefit Dinner featured Fr. Mike
Schmitz as the keynote speaker. Fr. Schmitz
reminded everyone that we all have choices
to make, and if we let God shine through us
in those choices, we will set the world on fire.
Save the date for next year’s benefit dinner
on November 11, 2016 at the Hyatt featuring
Bishop Mike Sis from the Diocese of San
Angelo! We hope to see you there!
ST. JPII LIFE CENTER NEWS • [email protected] • www.jpiilifecenter.org • 512-407-2900
The St. John Paul II Life Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a three-fold mission: (1) provide Catholic OB-GYN health care services,
(2) operate a crisis pregnancy resource center, and (3) offer education about childbirth, chaste living, NaProTECHNOLOGY and more.
Medical Director: Jeremy A. Kalamarides, Board Certified OB-GYN
Executive Director: Kimberly Guidry Speirs, M.S.
Board of Directors: Hon. & Mrs. Tim Von Dohlen • Mr. & Mrs. Chris Danze
Dr. & Mrs. Jeremy A. Kalamarides • Dr. & Mrs. John Carrano • Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ames
EMBRACE A BETTER CHOICE!
[email protected] · 512-407-2900
1600 W. 38th St., Suite 110 Austin, TX 78731