^{Originating in Argentina, the International Day of the Unborn Child was established by then-Pope John Paul II to coincide with the Feast of the Annunciation. Photo: Eric Martin.}

By Eric Martin

Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has last weekend recalled his experience of baptising a premature baby, which helped him realise how life itself is about always looking for success, always looking for a moment when it will be able to move to that next stage.

Bishop Sproxton was speaking during his homily for the Day of the Unborn Child Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Saturday 23 March, which was co-ordinated by Perth based pro-life organisation, Pregnancy Assistance.

Originating in Argentina, the International Day of the Unborn Child was established by then-Pope John Paul II to coincide with the Feast of the Annunciation.

“As I baptised him, he sort of lifted himself up on his elbows and I had the, I suppose the knowledge in that moment, in that very strong movement that he made, that he was going to survive,” Bishop Sproxton recalled.

The heartfelt celebration was an opportunity for parents who have experienced the death of a child, either through abortion, miscarriage or SIDS, to come a little closer to terms with the grief and loss experienced with the untimely death of an (unborn) child.

^{Those who attended the Day of the Unborn Child Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 23 March were invited to put a flower in a basket, in honour of the children who have died at birth through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or other causes. Photo: Ron Tan.}

As part of the celebration, those who attended were given a flower and invited to put it into baskets on the sanctuary to remember children who had died at birth through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or other causes.

“And that is a wonderful thing for parents who have lost a child to remember, that in their consent to that way in which God works in their life, through their love for their partner, that they were able to create with God this new human life.

“And once that life came into existence, that child was destined then to be with the saints, just as we are destined to be with the saints one day,” Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton explained.

“We pray for the families, the mothers and their husbands, their spouses, their partners who have suffered the loss of a child. It is a deep grieving and is one that the Lord may be able to heal with that understanding of His plan for that little one.”

Pregnancy Assistance, which is based in East Perth, works with mothers who are pregnant and (due to life’s circumstances) find themselves facing a difficult choice as to whether or not to keep their baby.

The organisation, which was founded by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey, provides counselling and support services for prospective mothers to ensure they understand and are aware of all of the options that are available to them and their child.

^{Pregnancy Assistance Board Director Eric Jas speaks about the work of Pregnancy Assistance at the conclusion of Mass. Photo: Ron Tan.}

Speaking about the event at the conclusion of Mass, Pregnancy Assistance Board Director Eric Jas said that in today’s world, with its revolutions in technology and relative morality, so many mothers experience the pain of loss unexpectedly, while the loss of a child through abortion can have sudden and unexpected emotional consequences.

“Often this is experienced in conjunction with other debilitating circumstances such as poverty, relationship breakdown or conflict with the family, as well as the situation that may have influenced such a decision initially,” Mr Jas said.

“Obviously our thanks go out to God first who is leading us, we are doing His work, God works through us, we don’t do much. We want to thank you for turning up in great numbers, a great turnout, better numbers than we’ve seen in a few years,” he continued.

“Pregnancy Assistance wants to help women when they come in, through counselling that we are well trained in, to help, through logic, our clients to make a decision that hopefully considers the importance and preciousness of the baby’s life too,” he explained.

“Here at Pregnancy Assistance we try to avoid the political side (of the pro-life debate) because we must welcome everyone and make sure that we open the doors to everyone.”

^{Those who attended the Day of the Unborn Child Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 23 March were invited to put a flower in a basket, in honour of the children who have died at birth through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion or other causes. Photo: Ron Tan.}

Mr Jas continued by drawing attention to the need for additional volunteers to be trained to become a pregnancy care consultant and highlighted the financial requirements that had to be addressed in this year’s budget.

“We’re low in donations, maybe it’s just that time of the year - typically donations increase at the end of the financial year, but currently we’re quite low. We’re trying everything to get more funds in, we’re even selling things,” Mr Jas explained.

“So if you could help Pregnancy Assistance with donations it would be very welcome indeed.”