Two stories on Catholics lending a hand to women and their babies:

In Virginia, an infant’s brief life inspires:

Paul Stefan was born and died on Dec. 13, 2005. The son of developer Randy James of Spotsylvania County and his wife, Evie, the child was named in honor of the Revs. Paul Scalia and Starzynski, St. Patrick’s former and present priests.

The baby had been diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia before birth and doctors told the Jameses that because of the condition (which caused the internal organs to be pushed into the upper part of the body), his lungs wouldn’t develop, his heart would fail and he could not survive. They recommended a late-term abortion.

The Jameses chose to put the matter into God’s hands and turned to the members of their church. Through prayer and networking, the St. Patrick congregation supported the family through the gestation, birth, one-hour life and death of Paul Stefan.

After their baby’s death, James and his wife established the nonprofit Paul Stefan Foundation as a vehicle to support pregnant women and provide an option to abortion.

Kathleen Wilson, a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fredericksburg and now first vice president of the foundation, envisioned a home for unwed mothers. A St. Patrick’s parishioner donated two houses and 50 acres in rural Orange County. An opening date for the home has not been set.

A second house on the property also will be renovated and will offer housing and support to the new mothers and their babies. The houses will be supervised by professional staff and assisted by church volunteers.

Catholic Charities in Hawaii lending a hand, one mom and baby at a time..