Seeking Donations for "Children of God Mausoleum"
* Children of God Mausoleum: Seeking Additional Donations *
During the detail design phase, we've added an extra level to the mausoleum to increase the capacity so that we would have ample space for future burials. The addition of the extra level requires reinforcement of the concrete foundation of the mausoleum. And the area surrounding the mausoleum will have poured concrete for easier access. These design changes increase the overall projected cost of the mausoleum to $220,000.
While the initial smaller mausoleum design would have served us for a few years, we believe that the needs will be greater in the coming years as St. George is the only Catholic cemetery serving Baton Rouge area.
Please prayerfully consider donating to this worthy cause. May St. Joseph assist us in providing solace and comfort to parents who have lost their dear children.
You can make donation directly on our St. George website: https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/1623/DirectDonate/77127
Fr. Paul Yi
Pastor of St. George Catholic Church
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Easing the Pain of Loss
Froeba and her husband, Jason, are making caskets for a new mausoleum that will be constructed at St. George Cemetery in Baton Rouge that will allow for families who have lost a child to still birth, miscarriage, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or while still in a womb a free place to bury their child.
“ ‘Carriers of Hope’ builds caskets to honor and lay to rest the smallest souls. Named for our daughter, Cecilia Hope – we pray that it will bring hope and peace to those who experience the loss of children from miscarriage,” said Emily Froeba.
The Froebas’ other children who passed away during miscarriages are Joseph Patrick and John Benedict Froeba.
The journey into the making ministry has been “bittersweet” and beautiful for the Froebas, who began making the caskets for a few people and then started receiving more requests as others heard about it.
That’s when they joined the efforts of Monica Alley, founder of Anna’s Grace Foundation, which offers emotional and financial support to families who experience miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss, in establishing the mausoleum at St. George.
“Jason and Emily Froeba’s ministry, Carriers of Hope, is guided by their own experiences with loss and will be an important part of the healing process for so many across our community. Because they have a deep understanding of the grief journey families are on, I know that each casket will be made with extreme care and love, each detail reflecting the dignity and value of the baby held within,” said Alley. “It is truly a gift to be able to work beside them to make a difference in the lives of those who have experienced the loss of a precious baby.”
In order to get the correct dimensions for the caskets, which are about 8x12 inches and five inches tall, the Froebas contacted Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. The caskets will have linings provided by Abby’s Angel Closet.
Emily Froeba said the caskets are part of an overall ministry to help couples who are mentally, emotionally and financially stressed, who don’t know where to turn after losing a child.
The Froebas were fortunate to have connections through the church that gave them assistance and guidance on burying their children with dignity. Emily said unfortunately, for many that is not the case, as the worldly culture does not see pre-born children as children of God. She said she would not have known such things such as parents have a right to even name a baby that was lost in the womb.
“Our goal is to make it as simple as possible for the families, no matter in what stage of gestation or situation,” she said.
