Mass for Pregnant Women a Chance to Say Thankyou
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
David and Monica Collits' first baby due in January
"We are truly blessed," says Monica.
Twenty-two weeks into her pregnancy she is radiant and filled with excitement as is prospective father, David.
"We both love children and from the moment we married 18 months ago, we were keen to start a family," Monica says and explains that when nothing seemed to be happening, the pair decided to attend the Archdiocese of Sydney's annual symposium for "Couples Hoping to Conceive."
Held in March this year, the afternoon symposium is organised by the Archdiocese's Life, Family and Marriage Centre, and is designed to bring couples up to date on the latest advances in natural fertility and the use of Napro-Technology. The symposium also helped couples learn more about the Church's teaching on fertility and the ethical and spiritual objections to IVF and similar technologies.
David and Monica on their wedding day
"The news came on exactly the same day my sister, Veronica gave birth to her first baby," she says.
Her sister, who lives in the US gave birth to a baby boy on Anzac Day. "In Australia we're a day ahead of America so here it was 26 April when her son arrived and we heard the news that our own baby was on the way."
Monica and David met one another while both were students at the University of Sydney where she was studying for a bachelor of Science and he was studying law.
"David was a member of the Thomas More Society and I was with the Catholic Society of St Peter and we met during a week when both of the clubs were recruiting students," she says.
While the couple became friends it was another 12 months before David asked her out.
"He took me to a movie then on to Darling Harbour for something to eat. Hours later we were still talking It was the longest date ever and that's when we fell in love," she says.
Eighteen months after that first date, David proposed and a year a half later on 8 January 2010, the couple were married at St Thomas Becket Church, Lewisham.
While awaiting the birth of their first child, Monica is working part time in Catholic communications while David now a fully-fledged lawyer, is executive assistant to the Most Rev Anthony Fisher, Bishop of Parramatta.
David and Monica Collits give thanks for gift of children
While Monica insists that with almost four months still to go before the baby arrives on 4 January, she and David have not yet begun organising a nursery, friends jumped the gun. Friends who already have children have flooded her with offers of brand new or barely-worn baby clothes, bassinets, changing tables, prams and even a baby bath.
"We have already had our baby blessed by our local parish priest and want to be at the Mass for Pregnant Women at the Cathedral so we can give thanks for the gift of children and share our happiness," Monica says.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell who will celebrate the Mass for Pregnant Women describes pregnancy as "a beautiful gift and privilege."
"While the circumstances in which it is received vary enormously, and not all of these circumstances are easy, whatever your personal situation may be, if you are expecting a child and would like to give thanks to God and seek his blessing for the work and joy ahead, please know that you are very welcome to attend this special Mass," he says.
The Mass for Pregnant Women at St Mary's Cathedral will be held at 10.30 am on Sunday 9 September will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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