By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

The message that all human life is a sacred gift from God resonated among the hundreds of people who gathered to celebrate the commendable works of Good Counsel Home-South Jersey, a Riverside-based ministry that opened in April, 2011, and assists homeless pregnant women and their children.

At a fundraising banquet held Oct. 26 in Lucien’s Manor, Berlin, staff members, friends and supporters listened intently to the compelling keynote address given by Father Michael Mannion, who shared some of the experiences he has had in ministering to youth and young adults during his more than 40 years of priesthood. It was through his work as founder of Discovery Retreat Program in  New Jersey which provided ways to help young people discover their God-given gifts and talents through retreat experiences that he was led to explore the need for post-abortion healing ministries. His work also included authoring “Abortion and Healing – A Cry to be Whole” (1986) as well as conducting training sessions on the topic for clergy and lay professionals throughout the world.

Reflecting on the mission of Good Counsel Home to serve as a haven for women in crisis pregnancies, he said that the homes “are primarily founded to serve Jesus Christ through serving women.”

“Good Counsel Home is a place where dreams keep building and a child is born; relationships are cherished and children are told how much they are wanted, how sacred they are and how God will continue to unfold for them a purpose, plan, path and meaning for their lives,” said Msgr. Mannion, who is now director of community relations for the Camden Diocese.

Looking to the gathering, Msgr. Mannion observed that their spirit “mirrored the spirit of community and caring” that occurs in Good Counsel Home, “where the focus is always on present need with an eye toward preparing those who will leave with the life skills, solid judgment and commitment to securing employment and living a faith-filled and productive life.”

The steadfast work of Good Counsel Home was reflected in the witness given by Niketa Burke who recounted how she managed to hide her pregnancy for as long as possible -- seven months. When she finally told her family that she was expecting, the only encouragement she received was to have an abortion. Burke thought about terminating her pregnancy, but after hearing her baby’s heartbeat, she reconsidered, and her family “wanted me out of the house immediately.”

It was through a friend that the homeless and pregnant Burke found her way to Good Counsel Home-South Jersey where she and her unborn child were welcomed and loved.

Burke expressed gratitude to the Good Counsel Home community who “provided me with the love and support, food and shelter, all my basic needs, and a family that supported me without judgment.”

“I am eternally grateful,” said the 23-year-old who is now the proud mother of an 18-month-old daughter and is employed as a pharmacy technician. She boasted how she and her daughter are now living in an apartment.

Looking at her daughter, Burke said that it’s “because of her, I strive to be the best I can.”

Other speakers at the dinner included GCH staff member, JoAnn DiNoia, who works with development and fundraising; Chris Bell, a founder of Good Counsel Homes, and Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive director of Catholic Social Services, who offered the closing prayer.