Who Is Mary Bloom?

The Mary Bloom Center goes back to my years as a missionary in Peru (1987-1994). I was working with a Canadian lay missionary family and a Peruvian health professional to promote the Billings Ovulation Method. For us it was more than a way of family planning, but most important a vision for strengthening marriages and families. When we founded the medical and educational center in Puno, Peru, the question was: What shall we call it? I said, "why don't we name it after my mom, Mary Bloom?" The center would promote the values she held more dear: faith, family and children.

So who is Mary Bloom? She herself had an unlikely, almost miraculous beginning. Her father, Miho ("Mike") Perich had immigrated from Croatia in the 1880's. With his two brothers they worked hard to send money back home and they eventually founded a lumber operation at Lake McMurray, WA. They seemed confirmed bachelors, but Miho surprised his brothers when he requested his family to send him a bride. The first choice, a younger woman, did not work out well. She got diverted and never made it to McMurray. They then sent a somewhat older woman, Annie Babich. At the age of 41, Miho and Annie, had their first child, Katherine. Three years later on March 14, 1918, she gave birth to my mom, Mary Perich. Annie known to us as "Grandma Perich", died on January 20, 1953 (inauguration date of President Dwight Eisenhower).

Mary studied in the schools near Lake McMurray and eventually graduated from Sedro Woolley High School. She and Katherine participated in local social life where they met their husbands. She married Melvin Bloom, on August 9, 1941. Because of my dad's work on Bremerton shipyards and later as a farmer, he received draft deferments. He did enter the army toward the end of World War II.

After the War, like many members of the "Greatest Generation" they settled down to raise a family and build a new society. Mel and Mary had six children: Michael, Gregory, Phillip (me), Lawrence and Louis (twins) and Melanie. They first had a dairy farm on banks of the Stillaguamish River and in 1956 bought a small resort on Camano Island. After raising her children, my mom pursued her dream of returning to college to become a licensed practical nurse. Into her mid seventies she worked at Camano Nursing Home, herself older than a number of residents!

I cannot say my parents' marriage was smooth and easy. My dad's introverted personality, combined with binge drinking, put great strain on their relationship, After several attempts at recovery, my dad eventually stopped drinking. When my dad died on November 20, 1995, he was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. I had the privilege of giving dad Communion as Viaticum, then we knelt around his bed for about a half hour as his breathing slowed and then came to an end.

In Christmas of 1988, my parents visited Peru along with my brother, Louie, my sister Melanie with her husband Alex and children, Tonya and Konan. The joyful spirit of Peruvian country people deeply impressed them. We had the opportunity to visit rural homes where they saw the poverty that afflicts many families there. My parents supported the mission according to their ability and were thrilled when I told them we were going to name the new medical and educational center after mom - the Mary Bloom Center.

Although my mom was not able to personally visit the center named after her, she did receive pictures and videos of the activity there. When mom died on January 27, 2000, Masses were offered for her at the Mary Bloom Center as well as at parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

My parents worked hard to leave a legacy for their children. I was able to use my part to start a Washington State Non-Profit Corporation dedicated to supporting the charitable work of the Mary Bloom Center - the Melvin A Bloom Endowment Fund. We are currently working to establish the Mary Bloom Center as 501c3 non-profit foundation.

As a Catholic priest I not only believe in the power of intercessory prayer, but I have experienced the intercession of those who have gone to the Lord: first and foremost the prayers of my mom, Mary Bloom.

Father Phillip Bloom

President of Mary Bloom Center in Peru

Parochial Vicar of St. Mary of the Valley, Monroe; St. Michael, Snohomish and Holy Cross, Lake Stevens

(August 23, 2024 - Feast of St. Rose of Lima)

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