'This Represents So Many Different Layers Of Family'

More than 70 people enjoyed a wonderful – and unique – family reunion Aug. 3 at Evansville’s historic Bosse Field. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Evansville organized its first-ever Adoption Family Reunion for those who adopted – or were adopted – through Catholic Charities.

“This event represents so many different layers of family,” said the Most Rev. Charles C. Thompson, Bishop of Evansville, who joined Catholic Charities Director Sharon Burns in welcoming the attendees. “It’s just such a wonderful opportunity for these families to come together and share in their common bond, and to celebrate the dignity of life.”

“We at Catholic Charities have helped in creating families over the years,” Burns said. “Our reunion is a celebration of life-giving love, and we’re thrilled to see and reconnect with so many families today.”

Adoptive parents Hayden and Rose Ann Barth, of Evansville, enjoyed the opportunity to meet others and share their story.

“We were fortunate enough to adopt three children (through Catholic Charities),” Rose Ann said. “I just can’t find words to tell you how wonderful it was. Over the years, people asked me how I felt as an adoptive parent, and I always told them that I knew that God created those children for us.

“He blessed those children with birth parents who chose adoption as a way to give them love and life … as a means to give us those children through adoption.

“We had good and bad times over the years like all families do,” Rose Ann added, “but never because the children were adopted. That had nothing to do with it; they were always ours.”

The reunion included dinner in the left-field picnic area of Bosse Field and tickets to the doubleheader between the Frontier League Evansville Otters and the Florence (Ky.) Freedom. Fireworks followed the second game.

The Otters added to the fun by sweeping the twin bill. Otters owner Bill Bussing stopped by the reunion to welcome and visit with Bishop Thompson and the families.