How to build a culture of fostering and adopting in our diocese

BY DCN. CHRIS AND PATTI GUTIÉRREZ, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

We are so excited to share about a new ministry being formed in the Diocese of Owensboro!

Springs of Love is a ministry that seeks to raise up more Catholic foster and adoptive families and provide ongoing support to those living out this call. There are many children around our diocese, the country and the world that need the love and care of faith-filled families. They need to know how much God loves them, experience his healing and come to trust in his plan for their lives.

Maybe you’re like us who sometimes feel like we’re drowning in the never-ending activities and challenges of parenting our biological and foster children. Springs of Love might just be the lifeline that you’re looking for. Maybe you are a family that is open to fostering or adopting, but you’re not sure how to discern whether God is really calling you to do it. Springs of Love is here to help you discern and learn more. Maybe you know that God is not calling you to foster or adopt right now, but you really wish you could be of service and support to those who are. Springs of Love can’t wait to help you get involved in whatever capacity you feel called. Maybe you fostered or adopted in the past, or you yourself are an adoptee, birth parent or were a foster child and you are willing to share your experience. Springs of Love needs your wisdom!

The local Springs of Love chapters in the Diocese of Owensboro are getting off the ground. So far, we have chapters forming in Bowling Green, Madisonville, Paducah and Owensboro. Our mission is to support Catholic foster and adoptive families and encourage more Catholics to discern fostering or adopting. So many children are in need of good, holy families to grow up in! We want to build a culture of fostering and adopting in Catholic parishes all around our diocese.

Would you like to get involved? Please consider sending the local chapter your contact info by visiting the webpage at the bottom of this article and taking the Questionnaire Survey. A Chapter Leader will be in touch as the ministry takes shape.

Here are some of the ways people can be involved in Springs of Love:

• Participate in small groups (virtual or in-person)
• Lead a small group (training and materials provided)
• Be part of a support network or parish care team
• Organize parish or diocesan events
• Provide food or childcare for events or small groups
• Attend discernment date nights or Q&A sessions
• Provide respite care for families needing a break
• Donate money to sponsor a family to participate in a program
• Gather donations for addressing practical needs
• Pray for specific intentions
• Mentor struggling parents or youth
• Share personal experience or professional expertise

For more information, please visit https://owensborodiocese.org/adoptionsupport.

Originally printed in the February 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.