Bring back your baby bottles

You can still contribute to the Baby Bottle Boomerang fund raiser this Sunday at all Masses. Bring your baby bottle full of cash (change and folding money) and put it in the collection bin in the Narthex. Proceeds go to support Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities. One bottle equals the cost of 10 baby diapers. Bring your baby bottle back so we can help moms and babies in need. For more information on how you can help or for assistance, contact Maggie Moren, (727) 525-6873 or Rose Llauget, (727) 550-4236.

Don't forget the babies!

Photos by Jane Winstead

Jesus and Lily Morales (center) with Jesus' parents, Wanda and Jorge Antunez, and children, from left, Aidan, Alejandro, Azariah and Ariel. Mom is holding Anthony James. | Click to enlarge photos.

The photos of Jesus and Lily Morales and their family (above) and Wendell Winstead and Maggie Moren (below right) on Father's Day at St. Raphael parish serve as a reminder for parishioners to return the baby bottles to Mass this weekend filled with donations to help pregnant women and their families in need.

It's part of the diocese fund raising project Baby Bottle Boomerang. Parishioners throughout the diocese were asked to take an empty baby bottle from those distributed at Masses last weekend. They were asked to prayerfully fill the bottle with loose change, extra dollar bills, or a check with a generous donation.

Proceeds go to support Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The center was previously called Pregnancy Plus Medical and Pregnancy & Parenting Support Service. There are center offices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco counties.

Foundations of Life is a comprehensive program ministry providing services to women and families experiencing unplanned or "crisis" pregnancies. Mothers and families can obtain much needed services and support through the pregnancy centers.

The centers' adoption services offer a life option that allows ta birth mother or birth parents to make a long-term care plan for their child. The Foundation of Life Villa provides mothers with support and a safe and secure place to live during their pregnancy.

The Foundations of Life name change provides an umbrella name for the pregnancy centers, adoption services and residential pregnancy program in the diocese.

Wendell Winstead is a member of the St. Raphael Knights of Columbus chapter. Maggie Moren is active in the diocese Respect Life program.