28 April 2023

Southern Nebraska Register

The Nebraska Knights of Columbus placed their 17th ultrasound machine in Nebraska at Wellspring Pregnancy + Health Center in Hastings and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and open house April 20.

Father Liam O’Shea-Creal, assistant pastor at St. Michael Parish in Hastings, blessed the new machine and asked God’s blessing on those using it and courage for those women faced with the difficult decision of whether to parent, adopt, or abort, that they would choose life.

Scott DeWitt, a local pastor on Wellspring’s board, also offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the machine and for those who made the new machine possible.

At least 40 people attended the event. Matt Richardson, state deputy for the Knights of Columbus, and Mike and Mary Conrad from the Nebraska Knights of Columbus Culture of Life Foundation were there to assist with the ribbon cutting. Both Richardson and Conrad were instrumental in placing the ultrasound machine at Wellspring.

Last summer, Richardson toured the Wellspring facility and noticed the ultrasound machine. He then suggested it might be time for a new one. Little did he know that would be the seed to start the project of acquiring a new machine for the center.

Approximately two months later, the ultrasound machine Wellspring used at the time stopped working properly. The ultrasound techs were able to use it, but noticed things were not working the way they should and suggested it was time to consider a new one.

Mary Hall, executive director of Wellspring and a member of St. Michael Parish in Hastings, approached Larry Havranek, grand knight of Council 1123 (Pius XII) about the possibility of getting a new machine. Havranek talked to council members and they enthusiastically took on the project to raise the money needed to purchase a new machine for Wellspring.

After receiving approval from the Supreme Knights to match funds raised by the local councils, Council 1123 also provided the bulk of the funds needed to purchase the machine, matching other donors and councils’ gifts, up to $10,000. Conrad was instrumental in helping Havranek ensure that the matching funds were available from the Supreme Knights.

The Hastings pro-life community worked together on the project as donations large and small came from both Catholic and non-Catholic donors. Hall said during the ribbon cutting ceremony that the Hastings pro-life community shows how powerful it is when people of faith who are pro-life work together to accomplish the goal of saving lives and helping moms in need. It is one area in which Catholics and pro-life non-Catholics can work well together, she said.

Havranek said the local funds were raised in under three weeks. Local Knights of Columbus councils participating were the 4th degree Assembly #608, St. Cecilia Council #11823, Harvard/Sutton Council #14070, Geneva/Shickley Fr. Ulenberg Council Council #7684, and the Loup City St. Josephat Council from the Diocese of Grand Island.

Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, donors had the opportunity to tour Wellspring and learn the ways Wellspring helps moms in need.

They also saw the “Wellspring wall of babies” where babies born to Wellspring moms have their pictures on the wall. A professional photographer takes these pictures at no cost to the moms, and gives Wellspring another way to show moms how loved and valued they and their babies are.

Wellspring offers pregnancy tests, STD testing and limited ultrasounds at no cost to women considering abortion. Once a woman chooses life, Wellspring supports her every step of the way with mentoring, material assistance as needed, and community referrals for larger needs during pregnancy until her child is 3 years old.

Hall said she is happy to provide any interested people with a tour. She said it is one thing to hear about the center, but another to see it in action.

This winter, for example, Father Adam Sparling contacted Wellspring asking if the priests of the Lawrence Deanery could tour the facility. Hall gratefully accepted, as she has for other priests, as well.

“As parishes implement the Walking with Moms in Need initiative,” she said, “it has been helpful for the priests to see Wellspring in person to better be able to guide parishioners in getting moms in need to Wellspring.”

The center also held some open houses for the community.

“I have found that seeing Wellspring in person is important to giving people a vision for what happens here,” she said.

Material assistance for a mom in need depends on her situation, but often includes a car seat, crib, diapers, and even baskets full of essential baby gear and groceries for moms to get through the first few weeks after baby comes. Call Hall at 402-463-7785 to schedule a tour.

Source: https://www.lincolndiocese.org/news/diocesan-news/16875-hastings-pro-life-community-celebrates-ribbon-cutting-for-new-ultrasound-machine