AURORA—A beautiful and bright Waterleaf Women’s Center was dedicated and blessed  Dec. 8 at its new location at 3055 E. New York St. (at the southwest corner at Oakhurst) on Aurora’s east side.

 

The center is a bit over the Kane County line, putting it in the Joliet Diocese, and right across a service road from the Aurora Planned Parenthood building.

 

Father Thomas Milota, board member, Waterleaf spiritual director, and pastor of St. Petronille in Glen Ellyn, led the prayer service that included music ministers from his parish and a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. 

 

The dedication ceremony was held outside the front door of the center and the crowd, which at first numbered 50-60 people, continued to grow to about 100-120 well-wishers and supporters of this prolife ministry.

 

After Father Milota’s blessing of the building, Waterleaf founder and board member Kelly Rozanski thanked the Waterleaf staff and volunteers and its many supporters. 

 

Her husband, Matt, explained on a tour before the dedication began that his wife’s vision was to provide a welcoming, spa-like atmosphere to help calm the anxious women who come to them with problematic pregnancies. The key elements used in the design by Charles Vincent George Architects included hope, freedom, peace and love. Phoenix Builders constructed the facility, and Dawn Totty served as interior designer.

 

“Kelly spends a lot of time in adoration,” Matt says in explanation of the real source of his wife’s ideas for Waterleaf and of the graces received on a regular basis by the ministry.

 

He explains that the building’s design deliberately put the center’s chapel at the south end, closest to Planned Parenthood. Mass will be celebrated there several days a week, and the Blessed Sacrament reserved in its tabernacle. 

 

Matt also notes that sidewalk counselors have lined and will continue to line the service road between the abortion facility and Waterleaf, and the Waterleaf landscaping will be designed with that in mind.

 

“Waterleaf’s mission is to be the chosen destination for women facing an unplanned pregnancy, transforming their fear into confidence by addressing their physical, spiritual and emotional needs, and equipping them to make healthy life-affirming decisions,” said the dedication program.

 

“Guided by the Holy Spirit since 2009, we have served more than 4,000 clients and celebrated 1,208 births,” as of Nov. 21 this year, the program added.

 

Waterleaf is open six days a week, including evenings and weekends. It is staffed by “seasoned professionals” and “talented volunteers” said the program. Services are provided at no cost.

 

“With God,” said the program, “all things are truly possible!”