BY KRISTI MCCABE, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

The ministry of fostering and adoption is a call to “look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).  For families who have accepted the call to this vital mission, the Church has a supplemental call to provide spiritual guidance, prayer, and visible support.

Springs of Love, a Catholic apostolate dedicated to inspiring and equipping Catholics to discern and live out the call to foster and adopt, represents a grassroots movement to cover adoptive and foster families in prayer while offering tangible support.

Founded by adoptive parents Greg and Kimberly Henkel, Springs of Love was formed with a focus on providing wrap-around support for foster families and families in crisis, from prayer to making meals to providing material support. The hope is that this support will encourage more Catholics to open their hearts to foster and adopt. 

Springs of Love recently hosted a picnic and Mass in Columbus for foster and adoptive families, providing a chance for fellowship and community.

“I attended the Mass and picnic in Ohio because the priest is called to serve,” said Fr. Chris Kight, spiritual director for Springs of Love and parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Bowling Green. Fr. Kight is an adoptee himself.

“God has called me to minister to families in this unique and specialized way as spiritual director for Springs of Love,” Fr. Kight explained. “If I am going to be present to families in another state, why not make more of an effort to remain close to families here in Kentucky who take up the call to foster and adopt?”

To begin this important work, all are invited to a free event on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Christ the King Parish in Madisonville, Ky. The day will begin with Mass at 11 a.m., followed by a picnic with all food provided, games for the children, and opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and build community. Foster and adoptive families, families discerning fostering or adoption, and anyone wishing to support them are encouraged to attend.

For more information contact Fr. Chris Kight at [email protected].

Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.