Pro-Life Ministries and Activities
Gabriel Project
The Gabriel Project is...
- pastoral - the church responds by supplying needs that range from material to spiritual.
- educational - the value and dignity of life, especially that of the unborn, is affirmed to the community by the actions and witness of the church.
- evangelical - the love, care and concern that a person is shown by the faith community will bring them to Christ.
The Gabriel Project Involves
- placing "The Sign of Life" in the front of the church. The sign advertises that the church community is going to help a pregnant woman in need (the sign is preferable, but can be optional, depending on community sign ordinances).
- having a "Gabriel Project Sunday," during which the project is introduced to the parish, parishioners' support and prayers are requested, and people are recruited for various tasks.
- being prepared to respond to a woman who calls in crisis.
Points to Remember
- Most women in crisis need emotional and spiritual support, affirmation and someone to listen to them. Many of them have never known a positive male role model.
- This project is not meant in any way to be a financial burden on the parish.
- There are many resource agencies within communities that can help women in need. The diocese has compiled a partial list of resources in the community; other resources may be found by contacting local governmental and non-profit agencies in your community.
- Although the materials used within the diocese to implement the Gabriel Project are uniform, the Gabriel Project in each parish will have a unique personality.
- This is the work of the Holy Spirit -- prayer is of utmost importance!
Contacts
To receive help call:
1-877-WE CARE 2
Austin Area: (512) 238-1246
Gabriel Project Coordinator: Pam Rabaey (512) 244-1764
Pro-Life Help Line Coordinator: Donna Bayer (512) 310-2251