Share Your Story
Share Your Story
Witnessing to the Gift and Dignity of Every Human Life
From the first moment of life to its natural end — every story matters.
Every Story Matters
Every life is a gift, and every person carries a story worth telling. On this page we hope to share the real experiences of people in our community — stories of hope, courage, mercy, healing, and love at every stage of life. Your story may be the very encouragement someone else needs.
Whatever your experience — an unexpected or difficult pregnancy, the longing for a child, the loss of a child, raising a child with special needs, adoption or foster care, healing after an abortion, or caring for a loved one through illness, disability, or the end of life — we would be honored to hear from you.
Your Privacy and Wellbeing Come First
You are in complete control of how much you share. You may remain fully anonymous or be identified only in the way you choose, and you may leave out anything you wish. By submitting your story, you are giving permission for it to be shared on the website according to the privacy choices you indicate. Please send only what you are at peace with making public.
A note of care: Some of these experiences carry deep grief or pain. Please go gently with yourself. If writing brings up more than you expected, you are welcome to reach out for support and prayer. Your wellbeing matters far more than any story.
Part One — About You and Your Story
Take a look at these categories that may apply to you. Some stories touch on several.
- An unexpected, difficult, or crisis pregnancy
- Infertility, the longing for a child, or a long-awaited or answered prayer
- Healing after an abortion
- The loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death
- Raising a child with special needs, or a difficult prenatal diagnosis
- Adoption — as a birth parent or an adoptive parent
- Foster care
- Caring for a loved one through illness, disability, aging, or the end of life
- Another story of life and faith you would like to share
A Little About You
Share only what you are comfortable sharing.
- Tell us a little about yourself or yourselves.
- In one or two sentences, what is the heart of the story you want to share?
Part Two — Questions for Everyone
These questions fit nearly any story. Answered in order, they naturally form the shape of a letter.
- Set the scene: what was happening in your life, and what challenge, decision, hope, or fear were you facing?
- What was the hardest part, and how did you feel during it?
- Was there a turning point — a moment, a person, a prayer, or a grace that changed things or gave you strength?
- What role did your faith play? Did you sense God’s presence, or the intercession of Our Lady or the saints?
- Where are things now, and how do you look back on what you walked through?
- What would you say to someone facing something similar today?
- Why did you want to share your story, and what do you hope readers take from it?
Part Three — Questions for Your Kind of Story
Answer only the section or sections that fit your story. Skip any question you would rather not answer.
Unexpected or Difficult Pregnancy
- What made the pregnancy feel frightening or overwhelming at first?
- What pressures, fears, or voices did you face — and where did they come from?
- What or who helped you choose life and find the support and courage you needed?
- How do you feel now when you look at your child, or look back on that time?
Longing for a Child or an Answered Prayer
- What did the hope of having a child mean to you, and what did the waiting feel like?
- If you sought medical guidance, what were you told? You may keep this general.
- If a pilgrimage, shrine, devotion, or saint’s intercession was part of your story, what did you ask for and how did you entrust your prayer?
- How did you come to understand what unfolded in light of what you had been told before?
Loss Through Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
- Tell us about your child in whatever way feels right — a name, a memory, or simply what they mean to you.
- What was the loss like, and what was hardest in your grief?
- What helped carry you — your faith, your community, a particular comfort, or a grace?
- How do you honor or remember your child today, and what would you say to other grieving parents?
Healing After an Abortion
This is sacred ground. You are met here only with compassion — never judgment. Please share only what you wish.
- Without any detail you would rather keep private, what led you to begin seeking healing and hope?
- Was a particular ministry, retreat, confession, prayer, or person part of your journey toward healing?
- How has experiencing God’s mercy changed the way you see yourself, your child, and your future?
- What would you say to someone carrying this quietly who is afraid there is no way back?
Raising a Child With Special Needs
- What was the diagnosis or situation, and what were you told about it? Did you face any pressure to make a different choice?
- What led you to welcome and embrace your child as they are?
- What has the journey been like — the joys as well as the challenges?
- What has your child taught you and others about the dignity and worth of every life?
Adoption
- As a birth parent: what led to your decision, what courage did it take, and how do you understand that gift of love today?
- As an adoptive parent: what was your path to adoption, and what was it like to welcome your child into your family?
- How has adoption shaped your understanding of love, family, and the value of a life?
Foster Care
- What drew you to open your home through foster care?
- Tell us about the children you have welcomed and what these relationships have meant to you.
- What have the joys and difficulties been, and what would you say to others considering foster care?
Caring for a Loved One
For stories involving illness, disability, aging, or the end of life.
- Tell us about the person you have loved and accompanied, and the situation they faced.
- What has caring for them taught you?
- How did your faith shape the way you cared for them, and how was their dignity honored?
- What would you want others to understand about the worth of every life, even in its most fragile moments?
Part Four — Your Choices
- How would you like to be identified? For example: fully anonymous, first names only, initials, or “a parishioner from our diocese.”
- Are there any details you would like us to leave out entirely — names, places, dates, ages, or specific circumstances?
- Is there a Scripture verse, prayer, or saying that is meaningful to you that we might include with your story?
- Would you be open to including a photo? This is entirely optional and never required.
- May we contact you if we have a gentle question while preparing your story? If so, how is best to reach you?
Thank You for the Gift of Your Story
“I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10