Women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, who are able to view their unborn child through an ultrasound and receive support from a pregnancy resource center, are significantly more likely to choose life rather than abortion for their child.
Over the course of 18 months, Rancho Cucamonga Knights of Columbus Council 13403, with help from Ontario Council 3672 and Fontana Council 3041, raised $15,000 which was then matched by the Knights of Columbus Supreme (international) Council’s Ultrasound Initiative. Under the leadership of District (119) Deputy Tom White, the Rancho Cucamonga Knights raised funds through a golf tournament, Baby Bottle Drive and Live Ultrasound Demonstration.
On January 19 Father Cletus Imo, Chaplain of the Rancho Cucamonga Knights of Columbus Council 13403, blessed the ultrasound machine for Assure Pregnancy Clinic. Knights of Columbus from the three councils that had raised funds were in attendance as well as Knights from the High Desert and Lake Arrowhead areas. Girls and parents from American Heritage Girls Troop 3403 and dozens more supporters also attended the dedication.
Since the launch of the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative, funds have been raised for 29 ultrasound machines in California and more than 330 across the United States. Currently Knights of Columbus Councils are raising funds for a new ultrasound machine for the San Bernardino Pregnancy Counseling Center and for a mobile ultrasound clinic sponsored by Stanton Healthcare, which will serve the High Desert.
Pro Life Catholic Ministries of the Diocese of San Bernardino works with the Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter of the Knights of Columbus to determine if Pregnancy Resource Centers seeking support from the Ultrasound Initiative reflect Catholic moral and ethical principles, including those regarding the sanctity of human life, chastity and family planning. It is important that centers are welcoming of Catholics as clients, volunteers and employees and is respectful of the beliefs and faith practices of those Catholics.
The Diocese of San Bernardino has partnered with Assure Pregnancy Clinic (formerly known as Alternate Avenues) for over two decades, beginning with Assure’s first center in Ontario, later, when they moved to an office in Montclair and, now, with their second office in Fontana.
Catholic individuals and parishes have been blessed by the counseling and practical resources Assure has offered and Catholic individuals and parishes in turn have supported Assure with donations and volunteer time. Assure is one of the dozen pregnancy resource centers that benefits annually from Pro Life Catholic Ministries’ Mother’s Day Rose Sale.
Assure Pregnancy Clinic is located at 9161 North Sierra Avenue, Suite 108 in Fontana. If you or someone you know is pregnant, compassionate and practical assistance is available at 1.800.712.HELP or OptionLine.org.
Knights of Columbus District (119) Deputy Tom White and Diocese of San Bernardino Director of Pro Life Catholic Ministries Marie Widmann contributed to this article.