By Jay Wonacott Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Boise This year Idaho voters have the opportunity to protect human life by voting No on Proposition 1. It is providential that October is Respect Life Month. We are at a crossroads in Idaho about our identity as a pro-life culture. Since the passage of the Dobbs decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the battleground for deciding abortion law occurs state by state. There have been some defeats, with losses in Michigan and Ohio, but also victories in states like Florida and South Dakota. Fortunately, the ballot initiatives that would have radicalized those state’s abortion laws worse than the U.S. law under Roe v. Wade were defeated. Now, it is Idaho’s turn to choose life over the culture of death. (Read the stories throughout this special section for information about how extreme these abortion statutes would be for Idaho). There are no ordinary people Idaho has a culture that upholds the dignity of each individual person and the right to life. While strong on this right, Idaho is compassionate and caring with 25 pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) statewide, ready to help women facing a pregnancy crisis. Pro-life leaders across our state hold the passionate conviction that every single life conceived in the womb of a woman should be respected and protected. Christian writer C.S. Lewis wrote in a sermon that “there are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal … It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors … Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object present to your senses … If he is your Christian neighbor, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat — the glorifier and the glorified Glory himself, is truly hidden” (The Weight of Glory). As Catholics, we see the hidden reality of life in the womb and we lend our voice to the voiceless to promote justice. We proclaim the hiddenness of children in the womb so they might be seen by all in their true dignity. By extension, unborn children are also immortals, given an immortal spirit by the God in whose image and likeness they were created. In the highly acclaimed movie, Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler saves the lives of 1,200 Jews during the holocaust. In saving these 1,200 people, Schindler actually saved more than 8,500 people; the living descendants of these 1,200 Jews. In the movie, those he saved present Oskar with a ring that has the words of the Talmud engraved on them: “He who saves a life saves the world entire.” Oskar had hoped that he could have saved more. Doing small things I am not Oskar Schindler, but I have my own story of helping to save a life from abortion. In the early 2000s, I was working as the Director of Marriage and Family Life in the Archdiocese of Portland. This job also had responsibilities in helping with respect life ministries, so I often took calls from women seeking information and help. Sometimes we can make a bigger difference by doing small things. One day, for me that was simply answering the telephone. I got a call from someone who said, “I have a young woman here who is strongly considering an abortion today, but she might change her mind if she were to get some help right away. Can you help me?” I took a couple of deep breaths after hearing this news and proceeded to make a call to a pregnancy resource center affiliated with Catholic Charities. My contacts there said to encourage the young mother to come right away. I hung up the phone and called the woman back about where to go with the young woman. She took the information and hung up the phone, and I said a little prayer that this would work. I didn’t hear anything about what happened. Fast forward into the future about six years: I was now working for Ascension Press and happened to be in Camas, Wash. with an event featuring Christopher West, speaking on the theology of the body. I was manning the resource table when a woman quickly approached me and asked if I was Jay Wonacott. She was very excited to talk to me: “Do you remember several years ago when you got a call about a young woman who was considering an abortion and you gave her another option?” “Yes, I remember! What happened?” I responded. “Well, the young woman did choose life, and she had a little girl. The little girl is alive and doing well just a few miles away from here. In fact, I know she is getting in her pajamas right now to head to bed. I just wanted to thank you for what you did that day. She probably would not be here today if I had not gotten ahold of you and asked for some assistance.” Of course, I had a lump in my throat thinking about the small part I played in helping this little girl’s mom choose life. The mother was scared, confused, and desperate. All it took was a few phone calls to get this woman to a place of support and to alleviate her loneliness and dispel her fear. She chose life I am sure the woman told me her name and the name of the mom and child, but I have forgotten. Maybe this is all for the better. I will probably never know her on this side of the veil, but I am so glad I picked up my telephone that day and played a small part in saving her life. We are all precious in the eyes of God. He is the Lord and the giver of life. All of us have a mission to do what we can to protect and defend life in this culture of death. I pray that the young woman whose life was saved that day will continue to recognize her greatness and use her breath of life to praise God, in whose image she was conceived and born into this world. Abortion would have destroyed this beautiful image in our world. Let us pray for life in October and keep Idaho a pro-life culture with our vote in November.

Editor’s Note: The Dioceses of Boise, Baker and Spokane are sponsoring this online Anxiety and Stress Management workshop with Catholic therapist Jim Otremba. The following is an interview with Janica Hardin from Boise, Idaho, who took the course last year. This is her testimony about her experience with the online Zoom course. By Janica Hardin For the ICR Tell our readers about your life journey. What brought you to take the Stress and Anxiety Course with Jim Otremba? As a certified Wholistic Nutrition Health and Life Coach, I am always looking for new resources, especially Gospel- and Catholic-based, to further my own health and well-being and to add to my knowledge and resources in helping others live their best life. There are a lot of things going on in the world religiously, politically, militarily, technologically and philosophically; and things are changing at a fast pace, so journeying through anxiety and negative stressors is ever-present for many of us. Part of my prayer life in the most recent years has included bringing anxiety about what is happening around me, and in the world, and negative stresses to the foot of Jesus’ cross. In doing this I am also asking for His Peace, His guidance to walk the human experience, and how to best process these anxieties and negative stresses to ultimately be a conduit of Jesus’ light and love in the world. When I saw the Anxiety and Negative Stress course with Jim Otremba in my local church bulletin, saw that it was online in the evenings and the schedule worked for me, I signed up. What was your biggest takeaway from the course? I prefer face-to-face classes, especially to build needed faith community … (and) was a bit apprehensive about how I would like the online format. Jim Otremba’s online style is very present and engaging. He makes a point to engage individuals and is attuned to the chat comments and online reactions, which makes it feel more in-person. Others in the class also turned their cameras on, so I appreciated the courage from each person. Jim covers several things that I work with my own clients on, so much of the information was not new to me, but (his) perspective is a refreshing spin from what one will encounter in college or certification classes, health magazines, and online forums. Jim imbues important health and well-being concepts with a refreshing Catholic essence. Jim … breaks down the definition of “anxious” from Greek word roots that mean “to be divided or pulled apart.” He then guides the class through how to rewire a response “to engage in prayerful choice intentionally allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our individual response.” My response can be reactive and divided or proactive and prayerful guided by the Holy Spirit. Jim takes a common concept of self-talk, paying attention to how I am speaking to myself, and adds a very Catholic spin to recognizing and reshaping negative self-talk with what he refers to as the Four 4 Rs to Ensure Gospel-Based Self Talk. Each time I catch myself in a negative thought, I can reshape the thought to a Gospel-based truth. Two other buzz words in health and well-being are “mindfulness” and “meditation.” Mindfulness from a secular perspective says to be open and present to all around me, but this can be dangerous unless I am discerning and particular about what I am open and present to. Not everything around me is safe, what God intended for me or Gospel truth and light. Jim emphasizes that he does not practice mindfulness, but what he calls Catholic Clinical Meditation. Jim highlights that there is a more Catholic- and Gospel-centered way to approach meditation. Psalm 1 even encourages us to meditate, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” I appreciated reflecting on the difference between secular mindfulness and Catholic Clinical Meditation How has your life changed since you took the course? I continue to use the Four Rs and Catholic Clinical Meditation, as well as other tools I learned in this course. These practices help me channel my anxiety and negative stress, which can unconsciously cause me to look away or turn away from Jesus, to instead remember my response needs to be unified and intentional, that it is an active choice to turn towards Jesus, His Peace, the Bible and prayer. Sometimes anxiety and negative stress can cause panic or desperation that influence my reactions to situations to feel desperate, clingy and grasping at something. But I have found the practices that I have learned in Jim Otremba’s course to help me respond with more intention, grounding, peace and calm. Why would you recommend this course to our readers? I would recommend the Anxiety and Negative Stress course with Jim Otremba to anyone that is looking to slow the pace down in life. As well as anyone looking to bring a Gospel focus into daily practices with simple and easy to implement tools that are Gospel- and Catholic-based. I only covered a few of the many gems in this course. If you feel drawn to this course, I would encourage you to follow through and sign up. Zoom Dates Dates: Oct. 24 & 31, Nov. 7 & 14, 2026 Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., MST

Father Caleb Vogel, Vicar General, celebrated Mass at the Idaho Catholic Women's Conference By Kathryn Pasker Ineck ICR Assistant Editor The feminine genius of women — describing their dignity and vocation, receptivity, sensitivity, generosity and maternity — was promulgated by Saint Pope John Paul II’s Mulieris Dignitatem in 1988. This concept is important for today’s climate in the face of shifting ideology surrounding the meaning of “woman” and was the focus of this year’s Idaho Catholic Women’s Conference on Sept. 19, attended by over 1,000 women via watch parties, online, and in-person at Holy Apostles Church, Meridian. The conference, organized by Salt & Light Radio, began with Mass celebrated by Father Caleb Vogel, Diocese of Boise Vicar General and featured keynote speakers Lisa Cotter, the Sisters of Life, and Adrienne LeCoure. Adoration, Confession and a Catholic marketplace were available to attendees, and the day was structured around meals and a progressive rosary. Carol Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Salt & Light Radio, attributes the great success of this — and previous conferences — to the fact that “We surrender to the Holy Spirit … We also have an amazing group of volunteers that help us make the day special.” As one can imagine, organizing the Women’s Conference requires months of prayer and planning. “The date, venue, and speakers all have to align. We review every survey and use that feedback to try to make each conference better than the last. Through prayer and conversations with women’s groups, I knew the subject of Feminine Genius was needed. From there, I researched top speakers, listened to podcasts and sought guidance from others about whom to bring in. And when the same [suggested speakers’] names start coming up repeatedly, we pay attention,” explained Carol. This careful planning paid off. Kelly Webb, Holy Apostles, Meridian, attended with her mom and noted that “Salt & Light [does] a fantastic job of finding speakers that speak to women of all types. I truly believe every person that attends finds something and someone that resonates with them.” This year, the flow of the talks went very well. “We met in advance and discussed what each person would be speaking about, so we could build a natural progression. Even Father Vogel’s homily about Eve helped tie everything together and move the day forward,” Carol noted. Additional focus was on accessibility to Confession and Adoration as well as ease of attendance for women across the Diocese of Boise. Cross-generational Mistie Bauscher with friends. (Photo/Mistie Bauscher) “We really try to make the conference generational, something a daughter, mom, and grandmother can all attend together and I think it’s working. I’ve had keynote speakers tell me that our conference has one of the youngest audiences they’ve seen,” said Carol. Many women who spoke with the ICR reported that they attended with their moms, sisters and friends. Rachel Gehring, Tri-Parish, Cottonwood, has participated at the Women’s Conference for the past three or four years, attending with her daughter-in-law, Kendra, and Kendra’s mother and two sisters. “It’s something we do [together] that’s faith-based ... It’s been quite beautiful and enriching,” Rachel said. Pixie Bosch, Our Lady of the Rosary, Boise, has been a regular attendee over the years and attended this year with her daughter and two friends. “I think the messages were cross-generational. There was something there for everyone. I felt these ladies all had a relevant story. I’m sure women of all age groups attending were enriched by the messages given.” Mistie Bauscher, Holy Apostles, Meridian, agreed. She was in attendance for the first time, bringing her sister and two cousins along for some much-needed faith encouragement as they process family sorrows. Watch parties While over 700 women attended in person at Holy Apostles, 200 women attended at 11 locations across Idaho. Carol related: “I was really moved by the watch parties. Watch parties aren’t new to us, but the amount of participation continues to grow. We work hard to make them feel like they’re part of the in-person conference, with similar decorations, swag, and other details.” “At lunch, the watch party hostesses texted me pictures from their groups, and we were able to show them at the end of the conference,” Carol said. “I was deeply moved by the number of women, the joy on their faces, and seeing women coming together to share this experience across the Diocese. It was a beautiful reminder that the conference is about so much more than the women gathered in Meridian. It’s about bringing women together throughout the Diocese to learn more about their faith, laugh, and pray.” In past years, Lyn Amos, St. Ann’s, Arco, and St. Barbara’s, Mackay, has attended the Women’s Conference in the Boise area. This year, she attended closer to home at the Business Incubation Center in Arco. She pointed out that it has wheelchair capability and ADA access, allowing local women to attend and feel included in the greater conference. “Our goal was to have Mass — Eucharist — and listen to the speakers. To open our minds and heart to what the Lord wanted us to hear and absorb. Also fellowship with each other also to feel part of the in person convention,” she said. Lisa Cotter (Photo/Dr. Victor Sanchez) Lisa Cotter: Hallowed be thy day Lisa Cotter, a leading Catholic speaker and author known for her practical insights on relationships, femininity, and living life with excellence, spoke first. Rachel had known of Cotter as part of her own background in spiritual direction and says that she covered “Marriage, family, theology of the body and femininity … and had a magnificent way of covering the topic of the feminine genius and woman comprehensively … Her applications just hit home.” “Everyone’s so polarized, but it’s also in Church, and that’s very sad,” Rachel continued. “So when Lisa was talking, she was cutting across history with the truth of what it means to be women and wrapping it all together through the work of John Paul II. We’re all called to be, God’s children, his daughters, right? We’re sisters, we’re brides, we’re mothers. But also we have a call to be a gift in the world, to pull the truth together across the unique lives that women live.” “I’m a big Hallow fan,” Kelly said. “Lisa Cotter’s ‘Hollowed be thy day’ is a part of my morning routine. I’ve learned so much about the lives of saints and the liturgical calendar by listening to her. It was wonderful hearing her speak about the feminine genius. That God created woman with unique gifts and talents that are complementary to man. Everything that makes a woman was created with intentionality.” Mistie said she “related to Lisa Cotter’s experience as a busy mother trying to do it all perfectly and the message that only God can fill the hole inside me and make me feel like I am enough.” Sister Magnificat Rose speaks at Holy Apostles, Meridian. (Photo/Dr. Victor Sanchez) Sister Magnificat Rose: Spiritual motherhood Motherhood expresses itself in many ways beyond raising children, as the Sisters of Life shared. Bethany Calley, Our Lady of the Rosary, Boise, related that she “was reminded of the sacred creation of woman from the mortal body of man and that, as women, we are gifted with a spiritual and physical connectedness to all in our lives — whether physical children or, for someone like me, without my own physical children, [there is an] incredible role of spiritual motherhood to virtually anyone we come in contact with. “ “Sister shared a story of succumbing to the pleas of her nieces and nephews to jump into a bounce house with them, in her habit and adult size,” Bethany described, “she smiled and giggled as she relived the noticeable deflation of the bounce house around her. “That felt somewhat like life can be at times but when we embrace our God given roles as a child and a mother, we can share the love of our Father through our presence and example to others.” Adrienne LeCoure: The feminine genius is not a trend Adrienne LeCoure, a recent revert to the Catholic faith, spoke during the third session about her life of trauma and radical transformation. LeCoure “had a riveting, critical story … about how the Lord can take you away through the radical feminist movement, going down to rock bottom with her abortion. All the lies starting to unravel, and how she found [herself at a] Rachel’s Vineyard retreat, still a raging feminist, and came out a devout Catholic. Her story was so beautiful and well done,” Rachel reflected. Adrienne LeCoure (Photo/Dr. Victor Sanchez) “At one point, she was talking about the different spiritualities she has tried and said that the one name that is not allowed anywhere is the name of Jesus. She quoted Philippians that God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name above every name.” Rachel continued. “And at this point she said, ‘at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confess.’ And that truth, for me, hung over her whole talk — even the fact that in her darkness the Lord is searching her out, and he triumphs. I was just like: this is the truth.” “LeCoure’s presentation was very powerful,” Pixie agreed. “She is an example of God working in us, sometimes without our cooperation or desire. She described herself as a Mary Magdelene and her life examples given showed this in her story. Her reconciliation with her father was a wonderful blessing for her. I couldn’t help but think of the Prodigal Son parable. I was amazed that in light of his very recent passing, that she could give this presentation without crying,” she says. “Listening to Adrienne reflect on her life and how no matter how far she ran or how hard she pushed away from God he never stopped pursuing her and how he uses all our brokenness and mess to create something beautiful, healed and restored. All we have to do is say yes to his invitation,” Kelly commented. “I felt every word LeCoure said deep inside my soul. I am so grateful for courage in sharing her story with us,” said Mistie. Taking the conference with them “Lisa’s humor and Adrienne’s presence really stood out to me. Adrienne captivated the audience from the moment she began speaking, and she received a standing ovation. It was beautiful to see how deeply her message resonated with the women in the room,” mentioned Carol. “We lost our mom to ALS in October of 2024,” Mistie shared, “about a year after our grandma passed away. They were both the best Catholics. I try every day to love like they did, to have a heart like the Holy Mother. I have really struggled off and on with grief, anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, resentment … all the bad feelings! At some point during the day, those feelings were lifted and I was filled with peace and joy.” Bethany also was deeply affected by the conference, saying, “Finally, I became a widow in my 40s and I’ve struggled in this path but to again be reminded of my beloved nature as a daughter of God and my ability to reach out and see Jesus’ hand in mine was like a warm hug from the Holy Spirit assuring me yet again of the joy I can grasp and enjoy.” Mistie was able to make new connections with other women at the professionals’ small lunch group and is now participating in the Holy Apostles Challenge on the Hallow App. “It started the day after the conference, which felt like a sign to me. This is the path to love like Jesus, to have a heart like Mary,” she says. Lyn left the conference with a list of new perspectives: “Look at a very wide picture, not each event. I am God’s masterpiece, in progress. [We have a] need for forgiveness and forgiving others. Learn your faith and lead with it. Be prepared each day as it might be your last. Let your family know you love them and show them, so they have no doubt.” Mistie Bauscher with her sister and cousins (Photo/Mistie Bausher)

St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho Director Ralph May shakes hands with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican during a recent papal audience with a delegation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA’s Board of Directors. (Photo/Vatican News) By Ralph May SVdP Executive Director In addition to my role as Executive Director for St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho, I also have the great honor and responsibility to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul National Council of the United States as one of two representatives for the Executive Directors and CEOs across the nation. There are currently 26 National Board members. I am blessed to be a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Boise. On Aug. 28, the Board of Directors for the United States National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican’s Consistory Hall in a private audience. It was the first time any United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul Board has been invited to a papal audience. I was especially excited to have the opportunity to be in Pope Leo’s presence, not just because he was the first American Pope, but also because we share the experience of serving as missionaries in Peru, specifically in the city of Trujillo. He was there from 1992 – 1998; my wife, Theresa, our daughter, Hannah, and I served as lay missionaries there from 2005 – 2011. Because of the shared experience and connection with the very poor on the Northern Coast of Peru, I had a very deep feeling of connection with Pope Leo when he was elected. (Photo/Vatican Media) The Papal Audience As Pope Leo entered the room, I was struck with how heavy the papacy must weigh on him. Not only is he the successor to St. Peter, the head of the Catholic Church, but he is also a world leader with ambassadors and embassies around the world. Only with the Holy Spirit is that possible. I was completely consumed with his presence. As he spoke, I hung on every word. Pope Leo was speaking directly to us as a group, representing some 80,000 Vincentians in the United States. He referred to his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, which speaks at length about how we must love the poor. At the end of the address, each of us had the incredible honor of individually greeting and speaking with Pope Leo. I was pretty sure that I would be unable to speak when it was my turn. That did not come to pass. In the minute or so that I had with our Holy Father, I was able to tell him that my family had served in Trujillo as lay missionaries. He asked me when we were there and, later, what religious order we served. I know that he will not remember me. That is okay. I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Pope Leo about our shared history and experiences. I found being in his presence brought an extraordinary peace in my soul. I was numb as we followed the Swiss Guard back down the marble steps that led us back to St. Peter’s Square. I spent the next hour or more praying in St. Peter’s; it was a unique and unforgettable day, to be sure! Meeting Pope Leo was a powerful, spiritual experience for me. I am confident that I will reflect on and cherish the experience for the rest of my life. I am not sure why this opportunity came to me, but I am humbled by it and will keep Pope Leo XIV in my prayers always. ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV TO A DELEGATION OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, U.S. With great joy I extend my cordial greetings to all of you, and I hope that your time in Rome, in the Eternal City will strengthen your faith and deepen your desire to serve the Lord and to serve His Church. I thank you in particular for your devoted service to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and through it, to your brothers and sisters across the United States of America. Indeed, by freely offering your God-given gifts and talents, you give eloquent witness to your faith in service to the building up of the Kingdom of God. Saint Vincent de Paul demonstrated that prayer and social justice are not merely complementary but are in fact inseparable. It is therefore my hope that you will continually turn to your heavenly patron in order to follow his example and seek his intercession. Moreover, as I recalled in Dilexi Te, Saint Augustine taught the Christocentric nature of care for the poor and held that God will not be outdone in generosity to those who serve them. Dear friends, I urge you, then, always to give of yourselves. In this way, the Lord’s grace will steadily purify your hearts and minds, and you will more readily recognize Christ in your neighbor, both in those you serve and in those with whom you work. Finally, when you return to your homes, please know that you do so accompanied by my prayers. In a particular way, I ask you to bring my warm greetings to your colleagues and to the people for whom you care. With these thoughts, I entrust each of you to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church. And perhaps, today, in a special way, also to Saint Augustine on his feast day. Thank you.

By Philip A. Janquart ICR Editor For a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy, the questions can come quickly: What am I going to do? How will I afford this? Who will help me? Those are the kinds of questions Stanton Healthcare is prepared to answer with more than words. The organization provides medical care, practical resources and ongoing support to women and families who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. The mission of Stanton Healthcare, according to Taylor Garnica, the organization’s director of ministry outreach, is to help families navigate those challenges. “We’re here in force, and we want to resource you and love on you,” Taylor said. Founded in Boise 20 years ago by Brandi Swindell, Stanton Healthcare has grown from a small ministry operating out of donated space in a chiropractic practice into an organization with three Idaho locations, a mobile medical unit serving Ontario, Oregon, and additional outreach efforts beyond the state. Taylor said the organization’s roots began with Swindell’s desire to respond to the needs of women facing unexpected pregnancies. While working at Yosemite National Park, Swindell met a young woman who became unexpectedly pregnant and later chose abortion. Taylor said the experience deeply affected Swindell, who saw a need for greater support and resources. That experience led Swindell into pro-life ministry work, and in 2006 Stanton Healthcare was born. The organization launched out of donated space in a chiropractic practice, moved above the food bank at Vineyard Church and eventually purchased its first permanent clinic on State Street in Boise, which is now the Stanton Wellness Center. Today, Stanton’s headquarters and flagship location are in Meridian, where the organization provides medical services and client support. Its mobile medical unit operates as an independent clinic serving Ontario, Oregon. A ministry of support Taylor said Stanton’s approach is focused on accompanying women and families beyond pregnancy confirmation. The organization provides pregnancy verification, ultrasound exams, sexually transmitted infection testing, client advocacy, practical assistance, consultations with licensed medical professionals and connections to community resources. “We’re really walking with families,” Taylor said. That support continues after a child is born through Stanton’s wellness center, where families can participate in programs such as parenting classes, lactation consultations and other services. “When you become a part of the Stanton family, you’re always a part of the Stanton family,” Taylor said, adding that many families remain connected to Stanton long after their initial visit. “We have stories of clients coming in years later and walking their child through the clinic and us meeting them and being able to help them with clothing, maybe, later on,” he said. The organization’s services are offered at no charge to clients. Taylor said Stanton provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in services each year through financial support from donors, churches, grants and fundraising efforts. “We do not take any state or federal money,” he emphasized. He said partnerships with churches throughout Idaho are a vital part of Stanton’s work. “The Knights of Columbus have been wonderful,” Taylor said. “We love them.” Meeting women where they are Before providing services, Stanton staff members first seek to understand each client’s circumstances. Taylor described the initial meeting room as a place where staff members learn about a woman’s circumstances, including whether she has family support, whether the father is involved and what challenges she is facing. “This room where we are sitting really exists to just calm the noise,” Taylor said. “‘What’s going on in your world, and how can we love on you? How can we serve you?’” He said some women arrive believing abortion is their only option because of financial struggles, relationship difficulties or pressure from others. “Abortion is a symptom of a greater issue,” he said. “There’s so much that’s happening in your life, and if we can calm that noise … we can tailor our care to you.” Taylor said Stanton’s goal is to provide compassion and support while allowing women to make decisions without feeling judged. “We will never manipulate or coerce a mom into not having an abortion,” Taylor said. “We will always have a conversation about life and meet you with a lot of hope, no judgment, just compassion.” The impact of an ultrasound For Dina Zaccolini, a Stanton sonographer, one of the most meaningful parts of her work is seeing the reaction of women during an ultrasound. “It’s like utter shock to them,” she said. “‘Wow, there’s really a baby, there is a real baby in there.’” She said hearing a baby’s heartbeat can be an especially powerful moment. “No matter how small that baby is, I put on a type of Doppler where you can hear the heartbeat,” she said. “They will say, ‘Wow, there’s really a heart beating in there.’” Zaccolini said the experience is emotional for many women. “Oh, yeah; there’s a lot of crying,” she said. “But even all of these emotions can manifest in different ways. Sometimes there’s anger. Sometimes there’s sadness, but mostly crying.” She said many women come in believing they are not prepared to become mothers. “What we say to them is, ‘You’re already a mother,’” Zaccolini said. “That baby’s already in there and growing and their heart is beating,” she said. “And when they come to that realization, they’re like, ‘Whoa, wait a minute. I’m already a mother.’” Resources for families Beyond medical care, Stanton provides practical resources designed to help families overcome challenges. The organization offers baby supplies, diapers, maternity clothing, formula and other necessities through its resource rooms. Taylor said donated items are carefully selected because dignity matters. “There’s a difference between being given something that’s kind of ratty or soiled versus something nice. And how you feel matters,” he said. Stanton also provides wellness resources for pregnant women, including pregnancy care information, supplies and encouragement through its Stanton Wellness Box. Taylor said the goal is to reassure families that they are not alone. “It’s a small but powerful way that communicates to our clients, ‘We are here for you, to love on you,’” he said. The organization also provides period care kits through schools and community partnerships as another way to serve women before they ever become Stanton clients. “It’s another tangible way of just loving on the community,” Taylor said. Looking ahead In addition to its Idaho locations and mobile medical unit serving Ontario, Oregon, Stanton has a clinic in Southern California, a clinic in Belfast, Ireland, and a public policy center in Washington, D.C. Taylor said the organization believes its mission requires involvement at multiple levels. “You really need to be on both fronts if you’re going to make an impact and have a difference,” he said. Although Stanton has expanded, Taylor said the organization’s future is ultimately in God’s hands. “If the Lord takes us to other states, that would be great,” he said. “At the end of the day, Stanton belongs to Him.” For Zaccolini, the heart of Stanton’s mission remains simple: serving women and families with compassion. “We love these women,” she said. “It’s such an honor and a blessing to just pour into their lives.” She said many women who come through the clinic notice something different. “They feel the presence of God and just the sincerity in our hearts,” Zaccolini said. “Just loving them no matter where they’re coming from.”

By Bishop Peter F. Christensen Bishop Peter This past week, the Church celebrated with great joy the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the gifted priest, bishop and evangelist who brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ into millions of American homes through radio and television. With little more than a camera, a blackboard and a remarkable gift for communicating our Catholic faith, Sheen proclaimed the truths of Christ to the world. The title of his beloved television program expressed something at the heart of his ministry: “Life Is Worth Living.” How beautiful those words sound today. Our lives are worth living because they come from God. We are not accidents. Each of us has been created intentionally by God, in His image and likeness, and called into communion with Him. Our lives have a purpose the world cannot give and cannot take away. Blessed Fulton Sheen Sheen also understood that if life is worth living, then life must be protected. He spoke forcefully in defense of unborn children and encouraged Catholics to spiritually adopt children in danger of abortion. How fitting, then, that the mir acle recognized in connection with his beatification involved a child. In 2010, James Fulton Engstrom was born without signs of life and remained without a heartbeat for 61 minutes as his family prayed through Sheen’s intercession. His heart began to beat, and he eventually recovered without the severe neurological damage doctors expected. The Church recognized the healing as medically inexplicable. Think about that. The man who spent his life telling the world that “Life Is Worth Living” would one day be declared Blessed following the recognition of a miracle involving the life of a newborn child. James Fulton Engstrom carries the relics of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen at his Beatification Mass on September 24, 2026. (Photo/Vatican Media) That causes me to think about another image. Many of us recently saw on the cover of the Idaho Catholic Register the beautiful face of a child accompanied by three simple words: Life is Beautiful! Those words are also at the heart of our diocesan prayer campaign: “Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of life.” The gift of life. Before life is a political question, it is a gift. Before we accomplish, own or choose anything, we first receive something we could never give ourselves. We receive life. Because life comes from God, every human life possesses an inherent dignity. That includes the child hidden within the womb. The Church has consistently taught that human life must be respected and protected from conception. The child in the womb is one of us — small, dependent and unable to speak in his or her own defense, but human and alive. This is why the question before us in Idaho concerning Proposition 1 is so serious. We hear words such as freedom, privacy, choice and rights. But before considering them, we must ask a more fundamental question: Who is the child? If the child in the womb is a human life, that child cannot disappear from our moral consideration. Authentic freedom must be ordered toward what is true and good, and a just society must protect those who cannot protect themselves. I wrote recently that “the strongest members of society have a particular responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Few human beings are more defenseless than a child in the womb.” This is where our Catholic faith asks us to look. Look at the child. Not first at a political party, advertisement or slogan. Look at the child. And never forget the mother. The Church does not ask us to choose between a mother and her child. We are called to love them both. A woman facing a difficult pregnancy deserves our compassion, accompaniment, medical care, assistance, prayer and love. Her child deserves our love and protection as well. Mother and child. Both possess dignity. Both are precious in the eyes of God. Blessed Fulton Sheen understood that evangelization requires courageously bringing the light of Christ into our culture. Our proclamation begins with the invitation to encounter Jesus Christ, to conversion and faith. From that encounter comes discipleship, which calls us to holiness and sends us on mission to love and serve others, especially the smallest and most vulnerable. Perhaps that is why these two messages belong together so naturally: “Life Is Worth Living.” Life is Beautiful. But before either can be experienced, something must happen first: That person must be allowed to live. Every friendship, prayer, laugh, embrace, vocation and opportunity to love begins with life. Every possibility of knowing Jesus Christ begins there. Before we can discover that life is worth living, we must possess life. Before we can discover that life is beautiful, we must have the opportunity to see its beauty. As we consider Proposition 1 here in Idaho, I ask all of us to pray, read the measure carefully and form our consciences according to the truth revealed by Christ and taught by his Church. Pray for mothers, fathers and families, for those who are afraid and for those who disagree with us. And especially, pray for the child whose voice we may never hear. Then, on Nov. 3, let us fulfill our civic responsibility by going to the polls with consciences carefully formed in the light of faith, truth and the dignity of every human life. Perhaps we might imagine that child speaking the simplest prayer of all: Let me live. Let me discover whether life is worth living. Let me discover whether life is beautiful. Let me discover the God who gave me life. Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. And may the Lord give us the wisdom, courage and charity to cherish and protect his beautiful gift of life.

Juan Manuel Gómez, Presidente General Internacional de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl Vero Gutiérrez Editora Asistente Salt Lake City — Un gran desafío que se destacó en la reciente Asamblea Nacional de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl (SVdP) fue fortalecer la formación espiritual de sus miembros como el alma de su servicio, sin olvidar que su principal misión radica en la evangelización. Esa es precisamente la diferencia entre los vicentinos y otras instituciones de caridad. El presidente general internacional de SVdP, Juan Manuel Gómez, destacó que se trata de un fuerte desafío, ya que, si las conferencias se limitan únicamente al socorro material, “desaparecerán, no ante los ojos de los hombres, sino ante los ojos de Dios.” Juan Manuel Gómez , con un grupo de vicentinos hispanos al terminar uno de los talleres en español en la Asamblea Nacional . (ICR Foto/ Vero Gutiérrez) Durante la Asamblea Nacional de SVdP, celebrada del 8 al 12 de septiembre en Salt Lake City, Juan Manuel Gómez, explicó en su mensaje inaugural que tanto la oración como el encuentro personal con Cristo pobre entre los pobres son fundamentales para “no convertirnos en simples administradores de la caridad”. Por lo anterior, Gómez destacó que la formación espiritual y la capacitación de los vicentinos son fundamentales para fortalecer y garantizar la continuidad de su misión en el presente y en el futuro de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl. La red de amistad y la fraternidad que distinguen a los miembros de las conferencias vicentinas también fue destacada dentro de su mensaje. Gómez aseveró que estos dos valores han acompañado a la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl desde sus orígenes, hace casi 193 años, cuando el beato Federico Ozanam y un grupo de jóvenes universitarios católicos dieron inicio a esta obra. Susan Browning, presidenta de la conferencia Our Lady of the Rosary; Juan Manuel Gómez, presidente general internacional de la sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl; John Berry, presidente nacional de la Sociedad SVdP en Estados Unidos, Becky Swartz, presidenta del Consejo de SVdP del Suroeste de Idaho; Father Caleb Vogel, vicario general y Ralph May,director ejecutivo del Consejo de SVdP del Suroeste de Idaho . (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) Al hablar de la importancia de permanecer fieles al espíritu de sus fundadores, Gómez recordó que, desde sus orígenes, este grupo de estudiantes católicos tuvo claro que el servicio no podía reducirse a una ayuda material. “Para ellos, la limosna, por sí sola, no merece el nombre de caridad; por eso, la cercanía con el necesitado ocupa un lugar tan esencial, pues nuestro alivio se realiza a través del amor fraterno”, añadió. El segundo desafío al que se refirió, además de la formación espiritual, fue la necesidad de una adecuada formación para el servicio. “Nuestra misión”, dijo Juan Manuel, “exige hoy conocimientos y capacidades en ámbitos administrativos, legales y financieros, así como en lide-razgo, comunicación, trabajo en equipo y gestión de recursos”. La formación de quienes sirven a través de la sociedad vicentina, debe estar orientada a administrar bien los bienes que se les confían, actuar con transparencia, rendir cuentas con honestidad. El presidente internacional dijo que planificar con responsabilidad es también otra forma de amar. “La caridad y las buenas prácticas se fortalecen mutuamente”, enfatizó. Recordó el compromiso social que llevó al beato Federico Ozanam a fundar esta sociedad, que ahora se reúne para estrechar vínculos de amistad y renovar el compromiso espiritual y de gestión, con humildad y audacia, al servicio del bien común y de los más necesitados. Para concluir su mensaje, Gómez resaltó: “que la amistad que nos une, nuestra fe y nuestros valores vicentinos sigan fortaleciéndose cada día, para que podamos continuar caminando juntos, creciendo juntos y sirviendo juntos como “una sola Conferencia que se extiende por el mundo”. En uno de los talleres de la Asamblea Nacional, Juan Manuel compartió su experiencia sobre cómo llegó a formar parte de esta sociedad. Recordó que, al morir su padre, sintió en su interior una pregunta que lo llevó a reflexionar sobre el sentido de su vida: ¿Qué vas a entregar cuando te presentes ante Dios? Esta pregunta despertó el deseo de poner su vida y su tiempo al servicio de los más necesitados, tal como le había enseñado su padre. Al conocer la obra de San Vicente de Paúl, supo que ese era su lugar. Admitió: “Sigo enamorado de Federico Ozanam porque me ha parecido el mejor intérprete de las enseñanzas de San Vicente de Paúl para los laicos, tan potente que realmente me transformé cuando lo leí”. Durante el recorrido en el Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC), representantes de la Confederación Internacional de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl, entre ellos Juan Manuel Gómez y Paulo Cavaleri; John Berry, presidente nacional de SVdP en Estados Unidos; miembros de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl del Suroeste de Idaho; y Alicia Carver directora del ISCC (ICR Foto/ cortesía de Juan Manuel Gómez) Durante su visita a este país, Juan Manuel Gómez también realizó un recorrido por el Idaho State Correctional Center junto con John Berry, presidente nacional de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul en Estados Unidos, para conocer de cerca el trabajo que realiza el Consejo de Distrito del Southwest de Idaho en apoyo a las personas que han cumplido su condena y necesitan apoyo para reincorporarse a la sociedad. En esta visita, les acompañaron además Stacye LaRoe, responsable del programa y Orientación Profesional de SVdP y Ken Hebert, presidente de la conferencia de San Dimas, que actualmente atiende un promedio de veinticinco a treinta personas por mes. Juan Manuel destacó el trabajo que desarrollan todos los involucrados en este programa para acompañar a estos ciudadanos en el proceso de recuperar su lugar dentro de la sociedad, apoyándoles a encontrar un lugar seguro donde vivir, conseguir un empleo y brindarles apoyo espiritual.

by Vero Gutiérrez ICR Assistant Editor Salt Lake City — A major challenge highlighted at the recent National Assembly of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) was the need to strengthen the spiritual formation of its members as the soul of their service, without losing sight of the fact that their primary mission lies in evangelization. That is precisely what distinguishes the Vincentians from other charitable organizations. SVdP International President General Juan Manuel Gómez emphasized that this is a significant challenge; if the conferences limit themselves solely to material aid, “they will disappear — not in the eyes of men, but in the eyes of God.” During the SVdP National Assembly, held in Salt Lake City from Sept. 8 to 12, Juan Manuel Gómez explained in his opening address that both prayer and a personal encounter with Christ — present in the poor — are essential to ensure “we do not become mere administrators of charity.” Susan Browning, president of the “Our Lady of the Rosary” conference; Juan Manuel Gómez, international president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul; John Berry, national president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States; Becky Swartz, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Council of Southwest Idaho; Father Caleb Vogel, Vicar General, and Ralph May, Executive Director of the Southwest Idaho St. Vincent de Paul Council. (Photo: ICR/Vero Gutiérrez) Spiritual growth and the training of Vincentians are fundamental to strengthening and ensuring the continuity of their mission — both now and in the future — within the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The message also highlighted the network of friendship and the spirit of fraternity that distinguish members of Vincentian conferences. Gómez asserted that these two values ​​have been part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul since its inception nearly 193 years ago, when Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and a group of young Catholic university students launched this work. Speaking on the importance of remaining faithful to the spirit of the founders, Gómez recalled that, from the very beginning, this group of Catholic students understood that service could not be reduced merely to material aid. “For them, almsgiving alone does not merit the name of charity; that is why closeness to those in need plays such an essential role, as the relief we provide is rooted in fraternal love,” he added. Beyond spiritual formation, the second challenge he addressed was the need for proper training for service. “Our mission today,” said Juan Manuel, “demands knowledge and skills in administrative, legal and financial areas, as well as in leadership, communication, teamwork and resource management.” The training of those who serve through the Vincentian Society must be geared toward the responsible management of entrusted assets, acting with transparency and maintaining honest accountability. The international president stated that responsible planning is also a form of love. “Charity and good practices reinforce one another,” he emphasized. A scene from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s National Assembly, held in Salt Lake City in September 2026.. He recalled the social commitment that led Blessed Frédéric Ozanam to found this society — a society that now gathers to strengthen bonds of friendship and renew its spiritual and operational commitment, with both humility and boldness, in the service of the common good and the most needy. In concluding his message, Gómez highlighted: “May the friendship that unites us, our faith, and our Vincentian values ​​continue to grow stronger each day, so that we may keep walking together, growing together, and serving together as ‘one single Conference spanning the globe." During one of the National Assembly workshops, Juan Manuel shared the story of how he came to join the society. He recalled that, upon his father’s death, a question arose within him that prompted reflection on the meaning of his life: “What will you offer when you stand before God?” This question awakened a desire to dedicate his life and time to serving the most needy, just as his father had taught him. Upon learning of the work of St. Vincent de Paul, he knew he had found his place. He admitted: “I remain enamored with Frédéric Ozanam because I found him to be the best interpreter of St. Vincent de Paul’s teachings for the laity — so powerful, in fact, that I was truly transformed when I read him.” During the visit to the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC), representatives from the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul were present, including Juan Manuel Gómez and Paulo Cavaleri; John Berry, national president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States; members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from southwestern Idaho; and Alicia Carver, director of the ISCC. ( Photo /Courtesy of Juan Manuel Gómez) During his visit to the country, Juan Manuel Gómez also toured the Idaho State Correctional Center alongside John Berry, national president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States. The visit allowed him to see firsthand the work being done by the Southwest Idaho District Council to support individuals who have served their sentences and need assistance reintegrating into society. They were accompanied on the visit by Stacye LaRoe, the Society’s program and career guidance manager, and Ken Hebert, president of the San Dimas Conference, which currently serves an average of 25 to 30 people per month. Juan Manuel highlighted the efforts of everyone involved in the program to walk alongside these citizens as they reclaim their place in society, helping them find safe housing and employment while also providing spiritual support.

by Bishop Peter F. Christensen Both mother and child possess an inviolable human dignity Recently, Idaho physician and fellow Catholic Dr. Becky Uranga shared a deeply personal reflection concerning Proposition 1 and her experiences as an OB-GYN caring for women facing miscarriage, serious pregnancy complications and devastating fetal diagnoses. The suffering she describes deserves our compassion and serious attention. Women experiencing miscarriage or dangerous pregnancy complications deserve immediate and excellent medical care. Parents receiving a devastating diagnosis concerning their unborn child deserve our prayers, accompaniment and support. Physicians also need sufficient legal clarity to provide legitimate medical treatment. On these principles, we should be united. But there is another human being whose dignity must remain at the center of this discussion: the unborn child. The Lord tells the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you” (Jer 1:5). The child in the womb is already known and loved by God. Human dignity is not determined by health, viability, independence, medical diagnosis or whether another person desires our existence. This is why our Catholic response can never be an “either/or.” We do not choose the mother instead of the child or the child instead of the mother. We seek to love, care for and protect both. The difficult medical circumstances Dr. Uranga describes deserve attention, but they also raise a broader moral question. Proposition 1 addresses abortion, reproductive freedom and privacy. Freedom and privacy are genuine human goods, but Catholic teaching understands freedom as ordered toward what is true and good. When our choices directly affect another human life, that life cannot simply disappear from our moral consideration. The physician-patient relationship likewise deserves respect. Physicians should exercise sound medical judgment, and patients deserve compassionate care and appropriate privacy. But that relationship does not eliminate our responsibility toward the unborn child. When we speak about privacy, medical judgment and personal autonomy, we must also ask: Who speaks for the child who cannot speak for himself or herself? This becomes especially important when parents receive a devastating fetal diagnosis. Such families deserve extraordinary compassion, medical care and accompaniment. Yet a diagnosis does not diminish the dignity of the child. A child who may live only briefly, who suffers from profound disability or whose prognosis appears hopeless remains a child known and loved by God. We must also distinguish miscarriage care from intentionally ending the life of a living unborn child. If insurance terminology, medical coding or deficiencies in law interfere with appropriate miscarriage or emergency care, those problems deserve careful attention and correction. Catholic moral teaching similarly recognizes circumstances in which necessary medical treatment for a mother may unintentionally result in the death of her unborn child. There is an important moral distinction between directly intending the death of an innocent human being and providing necessary medical treatment when the child’s death is neither intended nor used as the means of saving the mother. These distinctions matter precisely because both lives matter. Dr. Uranga describes herself as a practicing Catholic and “wholeheartedly pro-life.” I respect the sincerity with which she speaks about her vocation and concern for her patients. Her reflection also provides an opportunity to clarify what the Catholic commitment to human life entails. It includes caring for mothers, supporting families, caring for the sick and accompanying those who suffer. It also necessarily includes the unborn child. The life within the womb is not merely a potential human life or one concern to be weighed against others; it is the life of a human being who already exists and whose profound vulnerability increases rather than diminishes our responsibility toward that child. The unborn child therefore deserves the same fundamental respect, care and protection of his or her life that we recognize as belonging to every other member of the human family. Ultimately, this discussion concerns more than politics. It concerns how we understand the human person and whether vulnerability, dependency, disability or location within the womb can diminish human dignity. Mother and child both deserve our compassion, care and protection because both possess an inviolable human dignity. The Church will continue to stand with mothers, children and families, support compassionate and ethical medicine, and proclaim the dignity of every human life from conception until natural death. The child in the womb is not an abstraction or merely a political argument. The unborn child is one of us. May the words spoken to Jeremiah remain before us: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). May Christ grant all of us the wisdom, courage and charity necessary to cherish and protect every human life entrusted to our care.

Noelle Chmelik by Kathryn Pasker Ineck ICR Assistant Editor Commissioned by the Salesian Lay Missioners in August and headed to Bolivia to serve at an orphanage home to girls aged infant to 18, Noelle Chmelik does not speak Spanish— Yet. Chmelik, Tri-parish member, Cottonwood, grew up on “the Prairie” in central Idaho, the youngest of eight children born to Jim and Coleen Chmelik and aunt to 17 nieces and nephews, “so, a big Catholic family,” she describes with an affectionate laugh. Enter the Salesians While attending SEEK 2025 in Salt Lake City as a high school senior, Chmelik met a representative for the Salesian Lay Missioners (SLMs), described on their website as “a Catholic association of men and women seeking to answer God’s missionary call in their own lives by dedicating themselves to works of education, evangelization and human development among poor youth,” and she was intrigued by their conversation. “A lot of people don’t go out very far,” Chmelik commented, noting that, often in Idaho, residents tend to stay close to home when putting down their own roots. The missioner told her that he served “a year and then went to college, and he said it made him a better student.” Also noteworthy to Chmelik was that the cost of working in the mission field is covered when a missioner commits to a year, and “that was also really intriguing.” Although she attended Ave Maria University for the 2025-26 school year, Chmelik kept the missioner’s pamphlet, knowing that she would not likely be able to afford a subsequent years of school there. In reading Saint Pope John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert, Chmelik was struck by something the saint wrote when considering some intense manual labor he had worked: “I was a laborer for 4 years, and for me those 4 years of work are worth more than two doctorate degrees.” The idea resonated with her and she wondered: maybe “this is my mini doctorate degree.” As far as continuing at Ave versus mission work, “I was just seeing what doors were gonna open up the best”: another year at Ave “wasn’t really looking doable, and these doors (to the SLMs) just opened up beautifully, so I just pursued that.” In the tradition of St. John Bosco The Salesian Society of Canada notes that St. John Bosco “wanted to dedicate his life to keeping youngsters close to God. As a boy, he used to repeat to his friends stories he had read or sermons he had heard and lead his listeners in the Rosary … he learned (juggling, acrobatics, and magic) tricks and put on his own shows; the price of admission was joining in the common recitation of the Rosary.” As a priest in Turin, Italy, Bosco followed the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, emulating the saint’s simplicity and kindness and established the Society of St. Francis de Sales – the Salesians – grounding his educational style “based on reason, religion, and loving-kindness.” The Salesian Lay Missioners “share in the tradition, prayer, work, family spirit, community life and educational method of the Salesians of Don Bosco, while living in community with Salesians and other missioners.” Perhaps not coincidentally, Chmelik graduated from St. John Bosco Academy in Cottonwood. Informed by Salesian philosophy, St. John Bosco Academy, states that their “Teachers and staff motivate students through love expressed in self-giving, kindness and patience. We emulate St. John Bosco’s method of discipline, emphasizing reason, kindness and religion in each classroom and throughout the campus.” Chmelik family (Courtesy photo) Making the faith her own Chmelik said that growing up Catholic sometimes felt like “going through the motions.” There were, however, multiple examples of mentors in faith. “Someone told me in high school (that) your faith is like working out, you know, you have to work at it and you won’t see results till later. (This is) learning how to, essentially, form your soul.” Those mentors changed her trajectory, as did the retreats she attended. “(I) got … to the point where I wanted to go to Ave to grow more.” And grow, she did. “Ave was super instrumental on my perspectives … My theology classes were amazing there and my friends were also amazing. It … gave me a glimpse into what heaven is like in the sense that this is a community of saints. Obviously, you know, we’re still imperfect, but it … shows you what you’re made for: this beautiful community all in touch with the Lord.” Application process Chmelik with parents Jim and Coleen (Courtesy photo) When Chmelik moved forward to apply to the Salesian Lay Missioners, her parents were surprised because it felt like a last-minute decision: “They were, like, are you sure? Are you sure about this? They’ve always had a trust in my decisions (though), so it wasn’t really a battle or anything. They’re very supportive.” The application process usually takes three to six months and involves paperwork, a discernment weekend, and orientation. For Chmelik, that timeframe was compressed. The paperwork “was pretty extensive but it was necessary,” noting that it helped with her discernment. She attended the three-week orientation in New York over the summer with eight other men and women. “I’d never met any of these people in person, only talked on the phone,” Chmelik recounted. “So when I landed, I was just trusting that they were who they said they were, and I took a leap of faith. I wasn’t let down. The moment I got in the car with them, we just clicked, and I felt this huge wave of peace and certainty — I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.” “My experience during training was absolutely amazing,” she continued. “I grew really close to the people training with me, and by the end of the three weeks, we were like a little family! The first week was mental and spiritual training and preparation. The second week was a service week, and the third was a retreat. The hike we did with Fr. Mike was such a fun experience — we hiked to a lake, celebrated Mass, and went swimming. It was such a memorable time with such awesome people.” Chmelik, center, in white, at her commissioning on Aug. 14, 2026 (Courtesy photo) Commissioning When Chmelik and the other lay missioners were commissioned on Aug. 14, Father Dominic Tran, SDB, said in his homily: “God’s call (is) to make Christ present, whether we do that in the missions or in our ordinary lives at home. The Virgin Mary models that for us; when she visited her relative Elizabeth, both Elizabeth and unborn John recognized the presence of Jesus immediately on Mary’s greeting her cousin, before she did a single thing.” Seven of the new missioners will go to mission territories in Amazonian Ecuador, in Okinawa, Bolivia and to the FMA provincialate in San Antonio. Chmelik and Veronica D’Andrea from Etobicoke, Ontario, will go to Montero, Bolivia, where the Salesians have had a presence since the 1960s. While Chmelik wanted to go to South America or Africa; D’Andrea was specifically interested in Bolivia. The new friends saw they could choose to be assigned together and decided to submit Bolivia as their preference. “We’ll be in Montero at an orphanage, with the Salesians and sisters (serving) about 150 girls.” The Salesians have had a presence at that location since the 1960s so the work will be in continuing efforts toward serving the community rather than establishing something new. As for Spanish? The language will come. “I’m studying right now … some of the girls have to study English, so I might help in that way. (Also, the Salesians have) sent missioners down there before who didn’t know a thing about Spanish. And it’s either a sink or float, and nobody has sunk yet … I’m actually kind of excited for that.”

Mother, Child and the Dignity of Human Life Editor’s Note A recent opinion column by Idaho OB-GYN Dr. Becky Uranga raised important questions concerning Proposition 1, medical care for women experiencing serious pregnancy complications and the responsibilities of Catholics when considering the dignity of human life. Dr. Uranga, who identifies herself as a practicing Catholic and “wholeheartedly pro-life,” writes from her experience caring for women facing miscarriage, serious pregnancy complications and devastating fetal diagnoses. She explains why those experiences have led her to support Proposition 1. Because her column explicitly addresses both her Catholic faith and her understanding of what it means to be pro-life, Bishop Peter F. Christensen offers the following pastoral response. His reflection acknowledges the genuine medical and human suffering Dr. Uranga describes while emphasizing a fundamental principle of Catholic moral teaching: our compassion and care must embrace both mother and unborn child. The purpose of presenting these perspectives is to help Catholics understand the moral questions involved and to consider them carefully in light of the dignity of every human life and the teaching of the Church. “I’m a Catholic, Pro-Life OB-GYN in Idaho. Here’s Why I Support Prop 1” By Dr. Becky Uranga The Original Opinion Dr. Becky Uranga, an OB-GYN practicing in the Treasure Valley, recently published an opinion column in the Idaho Statesman describing her experiences caring for women under Idaho’s current abortion laws. Drawing upon her medical practice, Dr. Uranga describes caring for women experiencing miscarriages, serious pregnancy complications and devastating fetal diagnoses. She raises concerns about the effect of Idaho law on physicians and patients and explains why she believes Proposition 1 would better enable physicians to care for women facing difficult pregnancies. Dr. Uranga also discusses her Catholic faith, describing herself as a practicing Catholic and “wholeheartedly pro-life.” She presents her support for Proposition 1 as consistent with her concern for her patients and her understanding of her vocation as a physician. Read Dr. Uranga’s complete opinion in the Idaho Statesman: https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article317184427.html Both Mother and Child Possess an Inviolable Human Dignity A Response from Bishop Peter F. Christensen Recently, Idaho physician and fellow Catholic Dr. Becky Uranga shared a deeply personal reflection concerning Proposition 1 and her experiences as an OB-GYN caring for women facing miscarriage, serious pregnancy complications and devastating fetal diagnoses. The suffering she describes deserves our compassion and serious attention. Women experiencing miscarriage or dangerous pregnancy complications deserve immediate and excellent medical care. Parents receiving a devastating diagnosis concerning their unborn child deserve our prayers, accompaniment and support. Physicians also need sufficient legal clarity to provide legitimate medical treatment. On these principles, we should be united. But there is another human being whose dignity must remain at the center of this discussion: the unborn child. The Lord tells the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you” (Jeremiah 1:5). The child in the womb is already known and loved by God. Human dignity is not determined by health, viability, independence, medical diagnosis or whether another person desires our existence. This is why our Catholic response can never be an “either/or.” We do not choose the mother instead of the child or the child instead of the mother. We seek to love, care for and protect both. The difficult medical circumstances Dr. Uranga describes deserve attention, but they also raise a broader moral question. Proposition 1 addresses abortion, reproductive freedom and privacy. Freedom and privacy are genuine human goods, but Catholic teaching understands freedom as ordered toward what is true and good. When our choices directly affect another human life, that life cannot simply disappear from our moral consideration. The physician-patient relationship likewise deserves respect. Physicians should exercise sound medical judgment, and patients deserve compassionate care and appropriate privacy. But that relationship does not eliminate our responsibility toward the unborn child. When we speak about privacy, medical judgment and personal autonomy, we must also ask: Who speaks for the child who cannot speak for himself or herself? This becomes especially important when parents receive a devastating fetal diagnosis. Such families deserve extraordinary compassion, medical care and accompaniment. Yet a diagnosis does not diminish the dignity of the child. A child who may live only briefly, who suffers from profound disability or whose prognosis appears hopeless remains a child known and loved by God. We must also distinguish miscarriage care from intentionally ending the life of a living unborn child. If insurance terminology, medical coding or deficiencies in law interfere with appropriate miscarriage or emergency care, those problems deserve careful attention and correction. Catholic moral teaching similarly recognizes circumstances in which necessary medical treatment for a mother may unintentionally result in the death of her unborn child. There is an important moral distinction between directly intending the death of an innocent human being and providing necessary medical treatment when the child’s death is neither intended nor used as the means of saving the mother. These distinctions matter precisely because both lives matter. Dr. Uranga describes herself as a practicing Catholic and “wholeheartedly pro-life.” I respect the sincerity with which she speaks about her vocation and concern for her patients. Her reflection also provides an opportunity to clarify what the Catholic commitment to human life entails. It includes caring for mothers, supporting families, caring for the sick and accompanying those who suffer. It also necessarily includes the unborn child. The life within the womb is not merely a potential human life or one concern to be weighed against others; it is the life of a human being who already exists and whose profound vulnerability increases rather than diminishes our responsibility toward that child. The unborn child therefore deserves the same fundamental respect, care and protection of his or her life that we recognize as belonging to every other member of the human family. Ultimately, this discussion concerns more than politics. It concerns how we understand the human person and whether vulnerability, dependency, disability or location within the womb can diminish human dignity. Mother and child both deserve our compassion, care and protection because both possess an inviolable human dignity. The Church will continue to stand with mothers, children and families, support compassionate and ethical medicine, and proclaim the dignity of every human life from conception until natural death. The child in the womb is not an abstraction or merely a political argument. The unborn child is one of us. May the words spoken to Jeremiah remain before us: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). May Christ grant all of us the wisdom, courage and charity necessary to cherish and protect every human life entrusted to our care. Faithfully yours in Christ, Most Reverend Peter F. Christensen, M.A., D.D. Bishop of the Diocese of Boise

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