Bishop Peter Byrne Blesses Tilma Care's Yonkers Office
By: Steven Schwankert
Calls for prayer, physician referrals, and partnership as consultation services expand
Bishop Peter Byrne visited and blessed Tilma Care’s Yonkers office on Oct. 29 as the pro-life pregnancy counseling organization continued building ties with local doctors and supporters.
The office opened May 13 and is run by Tilma Care, the clinical arm of Gianna’s House. It offers limited ultrasound imaging, pregnancy testing, spiritual help, and counseling. Gianna’s House, named for St. Gianna Beretta Molla, chose Yonkers after receiving a large number of inquiries from the area, roughly three years after opening its first facility in Brewster.
After touring and blessing the facility, Bishop Byrne, whose resignation was accepted by the Pope earlier in October, addressed those in attendance about the opening of Tilma Care in Yonkers.
“We have to think and recognize it as a work of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we’re really giving thanks for here. This is not something of human origin,” he said.
Medical and spiritual partnership
Fr. Richard Gill, CEO of Gianna’s House and pastor of St. Lawrence O’Toole and Sacred Heart parish in Brewster, said local physicians are a key part of the effort.
“Not all doctors are pro-abortion,” he said. “They’d rather not see it happen. So they’re working on referring [patients] here so we can do the ultrasound and counsel the women. Those kinds of connections are really important.”
Fr. Gill asked attendees to pray for doctors in the area “that they open up their hearts and see us as an ally and an asset.”
Center Director Nicole Moore urged those present to help spread the word about the facility and its services. “Please tell your friends who don’t know about us that we’re here, and that they can come by for a tour,” she said. “We’re happy to pray for them, too.”
Support from the Knights of Columbus
Among the more than 40 guests in attendance was Gary J. Leonardo, state deputy of the New York State Council of the Knights of Columbus, who said the order has long supported pro-life work.
“We, the Knights of Columbus, are a friend of pro-life. Always will be,” he said. “So don’t be afraid to reach out to us.”
Leonardo also said the Knights have helped make the purchase of many ultrasound machines possible, adding, “I know the Supreme Council is, I think, coming up on 2,000 ultrasound machines.”
“The Knights always will be pro-life,” Leonardo said. “Thank you for the invitation to be here.”