The Gabriel Project

How the Gabriel Project Works Many mothers faced with crisis pregnancies feel abandoned by their families, the fathers of their babies, and their communities. More and more, they are poor or in their teens. Some are homeless. Most feel afraid. For too many reasons, abortion seems the only answer. Churches and pro-life service groups have sought ways to expand their embrace of women in crisis pregnancies. Now comes a way they can do so together... a way to combine the special power of prayer with a commitment to service... the Gabriel Project! The Gabriel Project is an ecumenical movement of churches standing together in their commitment to offer assistance to women and families in crisis pregnancies. Participating congregations will "advertise" this commitment by placing a Sign of Life in front of their church. The Sign of Life, with its "800" number hotline, assures any mother that the local church community cares for her and is prepared to offer immediate and practical help with her pregnancy. Callers to the hotline are sent to the nearest participating pro-life pregnancy center for counseling. After making assessments, pregnancy centers then are able to refer clients to participating churches for the personal follow-up support they need.

What is the role of St. Ignatius Church in the Gabriel Project? The role of our church is to meet with any mother referred to us for help, to pray with her and to assure her that Christ and our congregation love her. Our community simply responds in love by providing emotional, spiritual, and material support to help her meet her needs. For the many women abandoned by family at the time of a crisis pregnancy, the church community lovingly fills the void left by a missing family. Churches in the Gabriel Project stand ready to provide a mother with the kinds of assistance that she needs in caring for her unborn baby. This help may include: Friendship and emotional support Baby sitting or providing transportation Medical aid and prenatal care Material or financial assistance Housing, educational and/or employment opportunities Coordinator to help coordinate the project in your church More than anything else, Gabriel Project churches embrace each pregnant woman who comes to them as their daughter, their sister, and their friend.