CV NEWS FEED // Catholics in Springfield, Virginia, have launched a new women’s shelter in their community, modeling it after Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington’s call for “radical solidarity” with expectant mothers facing difficult circumstances.
“Mary’s Comfort is a Christ centric program which provides enriching, home-environment housing for women facing a crisis pregnancy,” the organization’s website states: “along with supportive help and guidance for mother and baby in all stages of care: conception through birth and beyond.”
According to an Aug. 6 report from The Arlington Catholic Herald, parishioners at St Bernadette Church in Springfield were inspired by the success of Mary’s Shelter in Fredericksburg to found their own ministry.
“We don’t want to just say, here’s some diapers and a sonogram,” St Bernadette parishioner and board member of Mary’s Comfort Kathy Marchetti stated in the report: “We want to bring them into a Christ-centered, homelike environment. Many of them have never had that.”
Women who seek shelter at Mary’s Comfort may stay with the nonprofit for up to two years.
Mary’s Comfort operates out of a home rented from a local Lutheran church. The organization hopes to someday grow by four or five more homes.
The organization currently houses two women.
