Appleton couple attributes miraculous birth of child to Fr. Solanus Casey, who's first Mass was celebrated at their parish

On Nov. 18, Fr. Solanus Casey, who was born in Wisconsin, will be beatified at a Mass in front of more than 66,000 people at Ford Field in Detroit. Fr. Casey is only the second American-born man to be honored with such a distinction.

Fr. Solanus was born on Nov. 25, 1870, in Oak Grove. He entered the Capuchin Franciscan order in Detroit in 1897. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Appleton and passed away 53 years later on July 31, 1957. His body was found incorrupt 30 years after his death, and he was declared venerable by Pope John Paul II on July 11, 1995
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“In 2003 my wife Lara and I were blessed by God to have brought our son Kaden into the world,” said Bleck. In 2006 they became pregnant with their second child.

Lara’s water broke at the 22-week mark and on Feb. 2, 2006, their daughter, Lauren, did not survive the birth. “We still had hope for another sibling for Kaden,” said Bleck. “In early 2007 we were again blessed to learn we’d have a new arrival in late December.”

At 22 weeks, Lara’s water broke again and the couple believed they were faced with the same conclusion to her pregnancy. Days in St. Elizabeth Hospital turned into weeks.

“As I traveled back and forth to the hospital, one of my frequent detours would involve a stop at St. Joe’s,” said Bleck. “I became a regular visitor and was often in deep prayer asking for intercession from Fr. Solanus Casey before his prayer garden statue. At these moments I felt a level of peace and calmness.”

On Nov. 3, Lara came home from the hospital and on Dec. 13 she delivered a healthy son, Adam.

“There is little medically to explain how a significant breaking of the amniotic sac could have been solved with absolute permanence for an additional 16-week period for Adam to completely develop,” said Bleck. “In the words of Fr. Solanus, ‘We leave the remaining explanation of our miracle in God’s hands.’”

full story at The Compass