YOU CAN BE AN ANGEL
AND YOUR PARISH CAN BE A HOST OF ANGELS
THE GABRIEL PROJECT
Through The Gabriel Project, parishes embrace each pregnant woman who comes to them as their daughter, sister, and friend. Using signs, pamphlets, car decals and a toll free hotline, we make it known that help is available. When a woman calls for help, the phone-line volunteer contacts The Gabriel Project Coordinator, who is a parishioner of the Church closest to where she lives. A trained mentor, one of the parish’s Gabriel Angels, is assigned responsibility for ongoing contact with the mother throughout her pregnancy and somewhat beyond. The parish community assists with unconditional love. Through them, mothers receive the spiritual, material and emotional support needed during pregnancy.
Parishes often seek out ways to make themselves visible to the community and to be recognized as caring Christians who not only pray for their neighbors, but also extend them a loving and helping hand. The Gabriel Project is a marvelous way to show the community that your parish cares about pregnant women in need and that there is no reason for any mother within its boundaries to contemplate abortion.
History:
Following the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 which made abortion legally permissible in all the States, the Rev. Msgr. John Perusina, late pastor of St. Michael Parish on Sage Road, Houston, put a sign outside the rectory which said: If you will have your baby, this parish will help you in every way.
That was the beginning of The Gabriel Project. In 1990, Cathy McConn from Houston and her friend, Rex Moses from Corpus Christi, saw the sign, and The Gabriel Project was developed throughout the Galveston-Houston and the Corpus Christi dioceses. It has since spread throughout the country.
On November 12, 2002, the thirtieth anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a statement in which they asserted: “Our firm conviction as Catholics that life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception has been a part of the Church’s constant witness since the Apostolic age and has inspired millions to defend human life at every stage.”
In this same statement the bishops said, “We renew our offer of assistance to anyone considering abortion: If you are overwhelmed by the decisions you face, if you cannot afford medical care, if you are homeless or feel helpless, whatever your needs, we will help you. The Church and her ministries, inspired by the word and example of Jesus Christ, will help you with compassion and without condemnation.”
In the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, the bishops stated: “Respect for human life compels us to reach out to those with special needs. With the support of the faith community, Catholic organizations and agencies provide pastoral services and care for pregnant women, especially those who are vulnerable to abortion and who would otherwise find it difficult or impossible to obtain high-quality medical care.”
After listing a number of programs, the bishops noted that “Parishes are also increasingly providing pregnancy assistance. Such services are sometimes available within the parish; at other times, the parish program links those needing help to local services. Even when pregnancies do not involve particular challenges, encouragement and support should be given to couples who have conceived a child. In a culture that often gives negative messages regarding parenthood, it is important that our parishes celebrate the gift of new life.” They also noted that one of the objectives of the “parish pro-life committee” should be to “develop or adopt, where feasible, a parish-based ministry to pregnant women and their children.”
In the USSCB document, A People of Life and a People for Life: An Invitation, The Gabriel Project is listed among a number of sugessted programs: “Begin a parish-based ministry to pregnant women and their children. The Gabriel Project, developed in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, is excellent and is spreading across the nation. Volunteers in the parish are trained to help a woman through her pregnancy – with practical assistance, spiritual and emotional guidance, and help in accessing needed services.”
On August 24, 2009, Archbishop George Niederauer highly commended The Gabriel Project to all Pastors and Parochial Vicars of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and asked them to seriously consider this ministry in their parishes. In his letter, the Archbishop stated that The Gabriel Project is a practical, effective way for parishes to reach out to women in difficult pregnancies with real, concrete help. It embodies the practical support that the bishops promise pregnant women.
Learn more about The Gabriel Project:
- For how to implement it your area call Cathy McConn at 713-741-8729.
- Read The Gabriel Project: Interview with Cathy McConn.
- Listen to an interview with Cathy McConn on Immaculate Heart Radio (8/21/2009).
- Visit The Gabriel Project.
