By Susan Gallagher

Six adoptions became final and one that developed internationally was refinalized in festive ceremonies at the annual Adoption Celebration held Nov. 4 at the state Capitol.

Parents and children gathered in the balloon-festooned Old Supreme Court Chambers, with District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock of Helena presiding near a “Celebrate Adoption” banner. Costumed cartoon characters Tweety Bird and Sylvester the Cat were on hand, as was a costumed Wendy of the Wendy’s restaurant chain established by the late Dave Thomas, an adoptee whose advocacy continues through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

“There is nothing more important going on in the state of Montana today than this event,” said Helena Mayor Jim Smith, who proclaimed November National Adoption Awareness Month in the city.

Song lilted from a balcony where choristers from Helena’s St. Andrew School assembled with musicians accompanying them on a couple of selections, one titled “Happy Adoption Day.” In another, “On the Day You Were Born,” the choir sang the name of each of the seven children adopted.

This is the 14th year for the Adoption Celebration in Helena. Sherlock has presided each year, and Msgr. Kevin O’Neill of the Cathedral of St. Helena often has said the opening prayer, as he did this month. Sponsors of the celebration, its 2010 theme “With Open Hearts,” are Catholic Social Services of Montana, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Intermountain Adoption and Family Support Program, LDS Family Services, Youth Dynamics Inc. and Youth Homes.

Speakers included Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger, who said more than 1,600 children in Montana are in foster care, 597 of them eligible for adoption. “Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a loving and stable family,” Bohlinger said, but some of the children in foster care will “age out” of that system, having never been placed with permanent families.

Also at the celebration were Pastor John Fenlason of Hannaford Street Bible Church in Helena, his wife, Irene, and their daughter, Justyce. The couple shared the story of foster care leading to their adoption of Justyce, 21 days old when she arrived at their home. She turns 5 in December.

Catholic Social Services of Montana executive Rosemary Miller, assisted by Bohlinger, presented the Stork Award for service on behalf of children. Recipients are Bill Collins of Helena, John and Vicki Weida of Helena and Debi Rolfing of Bigfork.

Participation in the Adoption Celebration is optional. One-hundred-fifty adoptions arranged through the Montana Child and Family Services Division became final in fiscal 2010, according to Jon Ebelt of the state health department, which includes the division. A total of about 50 Montana adoptions a year take place through private agencies, according to Miller.


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 26, No. 11, November 19, 2010.