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According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility in their lifetime. In the United States, 1 in 8 couples struggles with infertility.<\/p>\n
This year, National Infertility Awareness Week<\/a> (NIAW) runs from April 19-25. Established in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, NIAW is an annual initiative held each April that raises public awareness, promotes policy change \u2013 particularly regarding insurance coverage \u2013 and promotes open dialogue to support people struggling to build their families.<\/p>\n Resolution: The National Infertility Association was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility through education, advocacy, and community support.<\/p>\n The Catholic Church offers a wide range of resources to couples struggling with infertility that aim to address the root of the problem in a holistic manner and in a manner consistent with Church teaching.<\/p>\n Here are four Catholic ministries that work with couples bearing the cross of infertility:<\/p>\n waterfalls in the desert<\/a> <\/strong>is a Catholic infertility ministry founded in 2019 by Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshutte when they recognized how isolating infertility can be and how little pastoral support exists within the church. <\/p>\n The ministry exists to accompany women and couples spiritually and emotionally, helping them encounter God’s love and discover a broader understanding of the fruit beyond that of biological parents. <\/p>\n Deeply rooted in Catholic teaching on marriage, human dignity, and reproductive ethics, it also serves to educate clergy and lay leaders about the unique grief and needs associated with infertility.<\/p>\n The ministry offers a wide range of resources, including retreats, small groups, blog reflections, a podcast, and virtual and in-person programs designed to foster community and healing.<\/p>\n Springs in the Desert has partnered with Ascension for this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week. Two Free Spiritual Resources<\/a> Designed specifically for couples experiencing this difficulty. They are a 15-part “Scripture and Saints” audio series, featuring Biblical figures such as Sarah and Abraham, Ruth and Naomi, Hannah and Elkanah, St. Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, the Woman with Bleeding, and St. Paul, which connects the listener to the lived experience of infertility, and a novena that invites couples to pray with titles such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Queen of Families. Blessed Mother in times of sorrow and loss.<\/p>\n Both resources will be available on the Ascension app starting April 19.<\/p>\n fruit hollow<\/a> is an online Catholic infertility ministry founded by Lauren Allen in 2021, when her own experience with infertility inspired her to create a space rooted in Church teaching and authentic support. <\/p>\n The ministry focuses on helping women and couples live out their vocations purposefully during infertility, emphasizing that fruitfulness is not limited to having children but can be lived out in many spiritual and relational ways. Its purpose is to bridge the lack of conversation and resources within Catholic circles and to guide people toward holiness in the midst of suffering.<\/p>\n Lauren Allen, founder of Catholic infertility ministry Fruitful Hollow, with her husband. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Lauren Allen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The ministry offers weekly blog reflections, a counseling program called “Sisters of Hannah”, and a wide range of downloadable resources that address grief, medical decisions, marriage, and spiritual growth. It offers tools for prayer, education on ethical fertility treatments, and even a memorial space for those who have experienced loss.<\/p>\n Lily of the valley<\/a> is a Catholic lay ministry established in 2022 to support families facing infertility, pregnancy loss, and difficult prenatal or postpartum diagnoses. Rooted in Catholic teaching and devotion \u2013 especially to St. Gianna Molla \u2013 the mission of the ministry is to accompany those overcoming the suffering of early life with prayer, compassion and spiritual solidarity.<\/p>\n The work of the ministry focuses on providing spiritual and community-based support, particularly through tangible and relational resources. One of its most distinctive offerings is the Personalized Prayer Care Package, which includes sacraments, prayer cards, and handwritten notes designed to bring comfort and encourage prayer during difficult times.<\/p>\n In addition, Lily of the Valley offers online support groups, curated spiritual resources, and opportunities for prayer accompaniment, helping women and families feel less alone and more supported within a faith-filled community as they deal with infertility and related struggles.<\/p>\nwaterfalls in the desert<\/h2>\n
fruit hollow<\/h2>\n
Lily of the valley<\/h2>\n
elizabeth ministry<\/h2>\n