By Pat Szpekowski
Observer Correspondent
JOHNSBURG—The atmosphere was filled with joy and appreciation for God’s infinite goodness by staff and volunteers as the 1st Way Life Center celebrated the blessing of its new ultrasound machine by Bishop David Malloy on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 6.
The donation of the ultrasound machine to the center  was made possible by the Knights of Columbus Councils in McHenry County and the combined fundraising efforts led by Knights of Columbus members Clarence Gburek and Ron Rood of Sacred Heart Church in Marengo.
“With everyone’s help through hanging flower baskets and pumpkin sales and a successful golf outing organized
Continued on page 3
From page 1
by the Knights of Columbus at St. Peter Church in Spring Grove,” said Gburek, “we were able to raise $17,000 and then receive another matching $17,000 from the National Knights of Columbus organization to purchase this ultrasound machine for the center.”
A group of about twenty people including staff, volunteers and Knights of Columbus members gathered in and near the small ultrasound room for prayer with Bishop Malloy. “Thanks to all of you who have served to detect and promote the gift of life,” he said. “Each human life bears God’s imprint. Christ’s mandate of service is love and with this product of technology we see the power and goodness from this invention of the human race.”

Bishop Malloy noted he had read that “70% to 80% of women who considered an abortion embraced life when they saw their ultrasound.”  He thanked his “brother Knights, both local and national, for your important work and contributions to obtain the ultrasound machine for the 1st Way Life Center.”

The addition of the ultrasound machine “is truly a gift from God”, said Connie Freund, who retired at the end of last year as the center’s executive director for the past 35 years.

The ultrasound machine has been in the center since January, but staff and four volunteer registered nurses, Judy Bischof, nurse manager, Jan Doyle, Marti Marshall and Kathy Lic have been in training since that time. According to Judy Cox, the center’s new executive director, who herself had been a volunteer for the past two years, “We are so grateful and hopeful to begin using the ultrasound in October.”

Doyle said that the acquisition of the ultrasound “started as a dream a long time ago”.  

Women who come to 1st Way receive a  pregnancy test and related counseling services.  Their tests are diagnosed by a dedicated long-time volunteer physician, Dr. Richard Persino, MD of Crystal Lake.

The 1st Way Life Center has a very compassionate group of over 40 volunteers who spend three to four hours per week assisting in various capacities, including working in the adjacent store filled with baby clothes, diapers and items donated to the center.

Many of the volunteers felt a strong calling to become involved. Susan Podolski began after she retired as the parish secretary at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg. “This is just a beautiful place to be guided by the hand of the Lord,” Podolski said.

Frank Moczulewski, a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Crystal Lake, heard about the 1st Way Life Center eight years ago when someone spoke about it after Mass.  “I kept thinking about it and chose to volunteer over a year ago when I retired,” he said. “I can’t say enough about what they do here and how they help the women who are waiting for their babies to be born. It is truly amazing.”

The 1st Way Life Center has served over 10,000 women and girls in its 35 year history offering pregnancy testing, counseling, and post abortion services.  Women are able to earn “1st Way” dollars while they learn  by attending parenting programs at the center’s store to receive what they need for their baby.

For more information about 1st Way Pregnancy center visit mchenry1stway.org.