PILLAR #2: PASTORAL CARE

Sidewalk Advocates
Help women get the alternatives and choices they need to make informed decisions about their health and the life of their unborn child. Women in crisis are often coerced into making a decision to abort their child and seeking help. Or they are not informed about the facts of their baby’s development and unaware that there exists extensive networks available to help them. Sidewalk Counselors use a loving method to offer information and support at the moment it’s needed most. Fridays and Saturdays in front of Planned Parenthood, 29 N 9th Street, Allentown, PA 18103. New to Sidewalk Counseling? Training is available several times a year. Or team up with an experienced counselor for on-site experience. To discuss options, click here .

Mobile Ultrasound Unit – Debut! MARCH 14, 2023!
Experience shows that 90% of women who SEE the ultrasound of their unborn child choose LIFE.

Allentown-based Bright Hope Center’s fully-equipped vehicle, capable of offering free ultra-sounds and other tests, will soon be operational and staffed by qualified health professionals. The key advantage of this mobile unit is being on-site directly where needed most: at high-traffic areas like college campuses, shopping malls, and outside abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood.

This unit has been funded by donations, commissioned through Bright Hope, and will be supported by Sidewalk Advocates, including STM parish volunteers once in operation. To volunteer your help, click here.

Post-Abortion Healing
Rachel’s Vineyard and Project Rachel offer counseling and retreats for women and men who suffer from post-abortion effects. Sometimes it takes years for the after-effects of a tragic choice earlier in life to become evident. Made worse by the current culture which denies women and men the “right” to grieve and the need to heal. This is a national ministry of Priests for Life and help can be found on the Allentown Diocese website.

Pre-Natal Support
A poor pre-natal diagnosis can add enormous pressure on expecting parents. Support for women and families in this situation can be found at the Diocese in the You are Not Alone ministry.

24/Hour Toll-Free Numbers for Crisis Pregnancies
These hot-lines direct callers to the best location for their individual needs. They refer only to life-affirming agencies Be ready to offer help by keeping these numbers handy.

• Heartbeat International: 800-712-4357
• BrightHope/CareNet: 610-821-4000
• Real Alternatives: 888-LIFE-AID
• Birthright International: 800-550-4900

Pregnancy-Help Centers & Adoption Services
Contribute to our local centers that care for women before, during and after their pregnancies. Services such as: free pregnancy tests, STD tests, free ultrasounds, counseling, enrollment in government assistance programs, medical referrals, material aid (for example: diapers, clothing, living quarters, etc), and parenting
classes.

Catholic Charities, 900 S Woodward St, Allentown, PA 18103
Bright Hope, 1036 Hamilton, Allentown, PA 18101
Cay Galgon Life House, 714 W Broad St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Natural Family Planning
Whether you are trying to conceive or not, these advanced methods are scientific and natural, allowing couples to find fulfillment through a healthy and chemical-free way of understanding God’s gift of fertility.

CHI-RHO
A parish network of volunteers who provide person-to-person service and support to fellow parishioners in need. For example: prayer, visits to nursing homes, meals and transportation. Get involved by emailing: jared@stmchurchallentown.org .