What is
the Blessed Margaret of Castello Home for Crisis Pregnancies?
The Blessed Margaret of Castello Home for Crisis Pregnancies, founded
in 1986, is the longest continually active crisis pregnancy home in the
Delaware Valley. It is a residential home for pregnant women,
offering support, guidance, and physical security in a loving
atmosphere, throughout a woman’s pregnancy.
The Home offers love and support in a stable environment. Free of
charge, residents receive everything needed to deliver the baby, and to
begin a new, independent life with baby.
What are
the services the Home can provide?
• Pregnancy counseling and classes
• Infant care and parenting skills training
• Nutrition and life skills classes
• Pregnancy tests
• Family intervention
• Housing referrals
• Adoption information and referrals
• Maternity and baby clothes
• Relationship counseling referrals
• Addiction counseling referrals
Do I
have to pay for these services?
No. All services are provided free of charge, thanks to donations
from generous and loving supporters.
Does the
Home provide for the resident’s daily needs?
Yes. We provide clothing, food, and a secure and comfortable
place to sleep and enjoy the companionship of other women, who are also
preparing for motherhood.
Do you
tell my family and friends that I am staying there?
No. We respect your confidentiality.
What
about after I give birth? Then what?
To help prepare you for your new life, the Home networks with other
institutions which provide GED classes, employment training and
educational certificate programs. The Home also offers
opportunities to care for the body with physical fitness, and to care
for the soul with spiritual nurturing.
Are all
babies placed for adoption?
No. Less than 1% of our residents choose adoption. In order
to help each resident make this individual and personal decision about
her child’s future, the Home provides referrals to adoption counseling
professionals.
What
happens when a resident does not give her baby up for adoption,
but chooses to raise the baby herself?
When a resident leaves, the Home provides everything she needs to get
started such as formula, baby food, furniture, and clothing. If
necessary, the Blessed Margaret Home will advocate for and support each
resident as she secures housing.
What if
I don’t feel ready to have a baby?
To help you prepare, each resident has access to classes on single
parenting, infant and toddler health- care issues, breastfeeding, STDs,
chastity, and abstinence. Referrals are made to professionals who
can guide you in the areas of childbirth and labor, address special
medical needs, and counsel on building healthy relationships.
Will you
still help me after I give birth?
Former residents continue to return to the Home as needed, and will
find assistance with mentoring, and have access to the pantry for
infant food, clothing, and furniture.
Are any
services available for the baby’s father?
The same services are available to birth fathers who are involved in
the pregnancy and the early life of the baby.
How is a
resident accepted into The Blessed Margaret Home?
Women over 18 are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, after
completing an interview process. If you are under 18, we will
refer you to an agency best suited to meet your needs. For an
interview or an appointment, call us at 215.245-8039.
Do I
have to be Catholic or Christian to be a resident?
No. The Blessed Margaret Home loves, accepts, and cares for young women
regardless of race, religion, creed, or national origin.
How can
I help The Blessed Margaret Home with its ministry?
• Remember us in your prayers
• Sponsor a fund-raising event at your home, school,
restaurant or parish
• Ask your employer about their gift-matching program
• Refer us to new funding sources
• Make monetary donations
• Make bequests by will or life insurance policy
• Make contributions in memory of a loved one
• Donate new baby clothing or furniture
• Use our United Way Donor Choice number (#08986)
• Volunteer your time
For more information about how to get involved in any of these ways,
please call us at 215.245-8039.
Who was
Blessed Margaret of Castello?
Margaret of Castello (1287-1320) is considered the patron of the
unwanted. She was born dreadfully deformed; a dwarf, totally
blind, suffering from severe scoliosis and so lame she could hardly
walk. When she was only six years old, Margaret’s father had her
walled up in a small cell attached to a forest church.
As seventeen, Margaret’s parents, seeking a miraculous cure, took her
on a pilgrimage to the medieval Italian city of Castello. When
the miracle failed to occur, she was abandoned by her parents.
Margaret became a beggar and was befriended by other beggars. She
eventually became a Dominican and dedicated herself to visiting the
imprisoned and to comforting the sick and dying. She was always
compassionate, sensitive and understanding to others and brought peace
wherever she went.
Margaret is interred under the main altar of the Church of Saint
Dominic, Citta-di-Castello, Italy. Two hundred years after her
death, on June 9, 1558, her body was exhumed and although never
embalmed, was perfectly preserved. Margaret’s body is still
incorrupt some 600 years after her death.
THE
BLESSED MARGARET OF CASTELLO HOME
FOR
CRISIS PREGNANCIES
P.O. BOX
361
BENSALEM,
PA 19020
215.245.8039
or 215.639.0402
Email:
BlessedMargaretHome2@verizon.net
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