Memorial Mass acknowledges grief of stillbirth, miscarriage, and abortion
Bishop Michael Olson enters church to conduct the Memorial Mass for Children Who Died Before Baptism, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Downtown Fort Worth, on Oct. 4, 2025. (NTC/Ben Torres)
FORT WORTH — Dominic, John, and Isabel.
Those are the names of the three children lost during stillbirths to Danielle and Alex Mishork.
“We’ve had some turbulent years so this is very consoling to us,” admitted Alex, a St. Stephen parishioner, explaining why he and his wife have attended to the Memorial Mass for Children Who Died Before Baptism for several years. “One of the great sadnesses of losing a child in the womb is the feeling that nobody knows exactly what you are experiencing.”
The Mishorks were part of a large turnout of families and individuals who attended the annual liturgy on Oct. 4 in St. Patrick Cathedral. Bishop Michael Olson concelebrated the Mass with Father Jonathan Wallis, the vicar general, and Father Joseph Moreno, pastor of St. Michael Parish in Bedford.
“It means a lot to us that the bishop has this Mass,” the bereaved father continued. “Like he said in his homily today, the world doesn’t recognize this pain. So, this is a great way to feel we are surrounded by people who understand the particular grief God has given us in this life.”
Sponsored by the diocesan Respect Life Office, the Mass is offered for babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion and is always timed to occur in October, designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as Respect Life month. The liturgy, started by pro-life advocates Pat and the late Chuck Pelletier more than 30 years ago, is designed to give grieving families comfort, hope, and the religious liturgy many did not have after the death of their children.
A reception in the parish hall after the Mass is intended to replicate the meal and gathering that often follows a funeral.
“Families come who never had the opportunity to grieve or celebrate the life of their unborn baby,” explained Terri Schauf, the diocesan Respect Life coordinator since 2017. “It helps give them closure to know the life of their child is being recognized and acknowledged. It’s a blessing for a lot of people.”
The Mass was held on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and, in his homily, Bishop Olson praised the patron saint as someone who used his life to exemplify the dignity of God’s creation.
“Human beings share in that creation,” he said, pointing out that every person who comes into existence is created by God according to His plan. “Every person belongs to God and serves God no matter how long or short that life may be.”
The world does not value grief or acknowledge unborn children.
“We do, because God does,” the bishop asserted. “We are not just God’s creatures but His children — a destiny surpassing all He created. We are stewards of that gift and thank God for the gift of life.”
St. Francis clearly understood we all need God and He is present everywhere.
“He drew our attention and everyone in his lifetime to that presence,” Bishop Olson added.
Following the homily, members of the congregation were invited to participate in a procession of roses. Organizers distributed white, red, yellow, and pink roses for each deceased child to the families who processed up the center aisle of the cathedral. The roses were then placed in front on the side altar of the Virgin Mary — the mother of all humanity.
Ashtin and Logan Smith and their three children presented a rose to the Blessed Mother in memory of their first child and eldest sibling, Gerard Michael, who died at 19 weeks gestation.
“We had a funeral for our son, but not everyone has that opportunity,” the young mother explained. “It’s a great reminder that we can come together in Christ and support one another because we’ve all been through the same heartbreak.”
The Most Blessed Sacrament parishioners always remember Gerard’s Jan. 5 birthday.
“It’s a reminder these babies were human beings,” Logan Smith said. “I would encourage anyone who has experienced something similar to come to this Mass. You’ll see you are not alone.”
For the Mishorks, remembering the loss of their three babies during the Mass was eased by feelings of joy this year. Joining the couple for the rose procession was their 8-month-old son, Joel Dominic.
“The hope we’ve always heard at this Mass is something we can savor,” said Alex, director of branding and strategic planning at Nolan Catholic High School. “For the first time we were blessed to hold a baby as we brought three roses to Mary.”