Bishop blesses First Choice Solutions

Jul. 30—The First Choice Solutions Center on West Walnut in Washington received some extra blessings on Thursday. Bishop of Evansville, the Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, and several other Catholic leaders from the area met at the facility where Bishop Siegel blessed both the building and the ultra-sound machine.

"We have some ultrasound equipment that was paid for by the Knights of Columbus," said First Choice Solutions Assistant Director Denny Smith. "The bishop came in and blessed it and the rooms in the building. In his prayers, he spoke of the building being a place that will save the lives of babies and will help change the minds of women who are thinking about ending their pregnancies."

First Choice Solutions is the former Pregnancy Care Center and provides counseling, nursing and other services to women and families with a child on the way.

"Since this was something involving the Knights of Columbus, there were several members of that organization in attendance as well. Some of them were in their full regalia and it was very colorful," said Smith. "There were representatives from Washington, Loogootee and Vincennes."

The event may also have helped the center fill some holes in its ability to provide services to some potential clients.

"With our new location, we are seeing a lot more Spanish speaking clients," said Smith. "That of course means we need more people who can translate. One of the priests, who conducts Spanish services, said he would reach out to see if there might be some people who might help us."

The event was closed to the public and the blessings were provided behind closed doors at First Choice Solutions.

"It went really well," said Smith. "We had a lot of good conversations with out visitors about our operations. They asked a lot of good questions and we were able to help spread the message about what we are doing here. In all it was very productive and positive."