February 7, 2003

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Archdiocese of Portland to offer "Elizabeth Ministry" Training

        The Archdiocese of Portland will hold a training session for the "Elizabeth
Ministry" on Saturday, March 15, 2003, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. The training
session will take place at Assumption Village Chapel (9121 N. Burr) in Portland.
Elizabeth Ministry is an international ministry movement designed to support
women and their families during the joys, trials and sorrows of the childbearing years.
Volunteers become Elizabeth Ministers in areas they have had experience. Areas of
ministry include: pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, regretted abortions, infant or
child death, crisis or special needs, adoption, fertility & infertility.

        Elizabeth Ministers are volunteer representatives of a faith community. They are
not counselors, but are present to offer peer support, mentoring and friendship only.
One does not need to be a ministry professional to be trained for this life-changing "like
to like" ministry. Particularly welcome are mothers who have wisdom and experience to
share. This training will offer a process by which the Elizabeth Ministry could be
established in a local parish community.

        Elizabeth Ministry Founder and Trainer, Jeannie Hannemann asserts: "Our
dream is that Elizabeth Ministry will help the Church truly celebrate the gift of each child
conceived and born, and fully mourn each miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth and infant or
child death. By treasuring the gift of fertility, supporting those suffering infertility
problems, encouraging those in the adoptive process, and assisting families
experiencing an infant crisis or special need, we will be a strong witness to our belief in
the dignity and worth of all life."

        The Elizabeth Ministry Training is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Portland's
Offices of Marriage and Family Life, Ministry to the Aging, Pro-Life Activities and St.
Pius X Parish. The cost of the training is $25.00 per person and includes materials,
breakfast and a buffet lunch. Scholarships are available. Registration deadline is
March 7, 2003. For registration information contact the Archdiocesan Marriage and
Family Life Office, 2838 E. Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214. Call 503-233-8319 for
more information. A copy of the registration form is available on the Archdiocese of
Portland web page: www.archdpdx.org/marriage&family/elizabeth-min/.

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