From One Woman’s Sorrow Springs a New Healing Ministry

September 18, 2025

The Basilica of St. John Parish in Des Moines is offering resources and love to those who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth.

Miscarriage ministry began last year through the work of parishioner Maria Campbell, but the seeds of the ministry were planted years earlier.

Campbell and her husband, Deacon Mark Campbell, experienced two early miscarriages before the birth of their oldest child. Amid the tragedy, the Campbells were uncertain of what steps they needed to take as Catholics. Campbell recalled being unaware of her rights like naming her unborn child.

In 2012, the Campbells’ last child was stillborn. Campbell, knowing God works through all suffering, wondered if she was being called to help others suffering the same pain of miscarriage she suffered.

Those thoughts remained planted in her heart until 2024.

While attending the National Eucharistic Congress, Campbell met Rebecca Harpring, founder of Covenant Resources Miscarriage Ministry. Covenant Resources is a nonprofit that offers Miscarriage Supply Totes™ so families have access to same-day resources and supplies for the dignified burial of their miscarried baby.

That encounter rekindled the calling God put on Campbell’s heart to help others through their own losses. She prayed on this call.

Upon her return from the National Eucharistic Congress, Campbell turned to her parish’s Knights of Columbus council for financial support. They were willing to fund the Basilica’s first tote and replenish its supplies as needed.

The response in the parish community has been overwhelmingly positive, said Campbell. Those who have experienced loss offered to help the ministry. Friends reached out to miscarriage ministry for others who could not reach out for themselves.

The need for the ministry is dire, as anywhere between 10 percent and 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“It is much needed,” Campbell said.

Through miscarriage ministry, she offers practical help with the supply totes furnished by Covenant Resources.

She also walks with and supports women throughout the process to provide some sense of closure.

Having someone as a point of contact and their phone number is essential to having a miscarriage ministry, said Campbell. Especially with a lack of resources available, having an established, caring contact to turn to is crucial for the parent.

Campbell is creating a lending library with Catholic resources on grieving and miscarriage. Also, she is working to establish plots for parents to have a place to bury their child with dignity.

Miscarriage ministry has taken root in three other diocesan parishes so far. Campbell hopes ultimately that every parish in the Diocese and the state can have a similar ministry.

“I don’t want this to just be a Basilica thing. I want every parish to have a way to support [parents through miscarriage],” Campbell said.

For those interested in bringing miscarriage ministry into their own parish, or wish to support miscarriage ministry, visit covenantresources.org.