Archbishop Robert J. Carlson established the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Fund at the 33rd Annual Respect Life Convention on Oct. 25, 2009. His vision for this fund is to relieve the burdens of expectant parents and parents who have recently given birth under difficult circumstances in our Archdiocese. It is our call as Catholics to ensure that no parent has to consider abandoning his or her child out of basic financial necessity.
For families in need of assistance from the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Fund, please contact the staff of the Respect Life Apostolate at 314.792.7555 or [email protected]. Please also see additional information about the members of the LifeLine Coalition, who provide a wealth of services throughout our community.
Archbishop Carlson chose to name this Fund after Blessed Teresa of Calcutta because she devoted her life to recognizing the dignity in the poorest and most vulnerable people, and as he said, in our society, those people are often unborn children. Blessed Teresa offered many inspiring words on the importance of respecting life. She gave particular recognition to the beauty of God’s love shown through mothers, saying, “That special power of loving that belongs to a woman is seen most clearly when she becomes a mother. Motherhood is the gift of God to women… No job, no plans, no possessions, no idea of ‘freedom’ can take the place of love. So anything that destroys God's gift of motherhood destroys His most precious gift to women – the ability to love as a woman.”
For those who would like to offer support for this special mission, your generosity will allow women in our community to know and realize this love. We truly appreciate your support of the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Fund!
Please consider making an online donation to the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Fund by clicking here.
Checks can be made payable to the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Fund and sent to:
Respect Life Apostolate
MailStop 340012
P.O. Box 953745
St. Louis, MO 63195-3745
Stories of Families Helped by the BTC Fund
Jackie* is a mother assisted by the BTC Fund. In 2014, Jackie was a 17 year old honor roll student at a local high school and pregnant. She was living with her mom and siblings; however, Jackie’s mom was on unpaid medical leave after the unexpected death of Jackie’s brother. The family faced homelessness. Jackie felt that she would need to have an abortion. The BTC Fund was able to assist in covering rent for one month while Birthright agreed to cover another month’s rent.
In 2015, the BTC Fund was able to assist Jane* and Darin* who were expecting their third child. Their other children were aged four and two. Jane was ordered to be on bed rest due to difficulties with the pregnancy and had depleted all of her sick and vacation time, unable to cover the remaining time she was to be on maternity leave. Her paycheck had covered the cost of daycare for their other two small children while Darin worked. Through the BTC Fund, we were able to cover one month of daycare for the other two children.
Amber* was pregnant with her first child. Because of pregnancy complications, she was unable to work temporarily and needed help with her electricity bill. The BTC Fund was able to help Amber keep her electricity on.
*Names changed to protect client confidentiality.