Open House, Blessing of New Ultrasound Machine at Family Life Center

A meal, tours and a blessing of the new ultrasound machine were parts of an Open House held earlier this month at the Family Life Center's Effingham location.

Effingham Knights of Columbus Council #665 Grand Knight Charlie Tegeler welcomed the crowd to the blessing ceremony for the ultrasound machine, which was donated by Council #665. Tegeler said, “As Knights, we are firmly committed to protect and defend the right to life of every human being – from conception to natural death. When the opportunity arose to help the Family Life Center replace their aging ultrasound machine, it was a cause we could not refuse. Pro-Life is a big part of who we are as Knights.” 

Father Flach, the Chaplain for Council #665, shared it was an honor to cooperate with the Family Life Center and provide such an important and valuable instrument that will save many, many lives. He shared his prayer and blessing of the new ultrasound. He emboldened the Family Life Center by saying, “In the gift of the new ultrasound that you have received, you also have the responsibility to protect the mother and the child within the mother’s womb who will come to you for help, for love, for guidance, for assistance.” He spoke from the Bible, 1 Samuel 1:20-28. In these passages, Hannah conceived Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord. Father Flach proclaimed, “Every young mother and every innocent child in the mother’s womb through the Family Life Center, is dedicated to God. Completely and totally dedicated to God. Every person who partakes of this new ultrasound machine is dedicated to God.” His blessing goes on to say, “Almighty God, you brought to us the joy of motherhood. May he now bless this new ultrasound machine. As we bless this ultrasound machine may God’s presence be among all of us here at the Family Life Center. May every young mother and infant within the mother’s wombs be protected by your immense and intimate love.” He ended in prayer.

(FATHER FLACH BLESSES THE ULTRASOUND MACHINE)

Family Life Center Director Mary Hovis concluded the evening, stating, “We definitely praise God for this new ultrasound machine and we give him all the glory and honor for this. We also know he uses people to be a blessing to his ministry and in this case, he used the Knights of Columbus and all those donors that helped fund this machine and we are thankful….” Hovis presented Tegeler with a certificate of honor and a card. There was a plaque placed in the ultrasound room dedicating the machine in honor of the Knights of Columbus #665.

Family Life Center, located at 605 Eden Ave in Effingham offers free ultrasounds and pregnancy testing for the community. For more information about the Family Life Center or their free services and programs, please check out their website at familylifepcc.org or call the office at 217-342-5433.