Bishop George Leo Thomas delivers a blessing at the new location of Birthright of Helena on Oct. 27, as Linda Keckes, a volunteer and member of Birthright’s board of directors, listens. The Helena branch of Birthright International recently moved to 38 S. Last Chance Gulch, on the capital city’s downtown walking mall. According to Birthright International’s website, the organization exists to help “any girl or woman regardless of age, race, creed, marital or economic status, who feels distressed by an unplanned pregnancy.” Birthright of Helena has functioned for 27 years. “The daily work that you do here, the contact that you make with mothers, opening other alternatives to their decision making is so vitally important, and I’d say one family at a time we’re making a difference,” Bishop Thomas said.

(MT Catholic/Eric Connolly photo).


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