Great Lakes Gabriel Project

February 17 , 2009

Gabriel's Notes

"Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren,
you did it to me" Matthew (25:40)

The Gabriel Project services approximately 200 families each year in Indiana and most of our Moms are single. We are a network of churches around the state, most of which are located in the Indianapolis area where the project began in Indiana almost ten years ago.

Each Mom is very individual in her situation, background and needs. When a woman calls our helpline or when she is referred to the project, two or three "Angels" (Gabriel Project volunteers) contact her and meet her in her home to listen to her story and pray for her and her baby.

With her permission we are featuring Laurie to allow our readers to experience the project on a personal level and even be an "Angel" when they feel called to help. If you want to learn more about becoming a Gabriel Project "Angel" or if you want to bring the project to your church, visit our downloads page, email projectgabriel@comcast.net or call Eileen Hartman at (812) 342-9550.

Now for Laurie... Because of extremely cold weather conditions, inexperience as a driver, and other factors Laurie was not able to continue her job. Last week she started another job. This time she is cleaning homes Tuesdays through Fridays. A Gabriel Angel has offered to take care of Laurie's baby two days a week. She is still searching for another sitter. She's excited about finding another job and she is frustrated about childcare. She's learning to work her new answering machine and redoing her budget to include the cell phone required for the job in case she gets lost or needs to be re-directed by the central office. Please keep Laurie and her main Angel, Carla Carter in your prayers.

Pray for the Gabriel Project Women and Angels

Here is a summary of three of the Moms who called for help from the Gabriel Project last week.

1) Sophia*, 23 yrs old, has made the appointment and has actually gone into an abortion center twice. A sidewalk Angel convinced her to have hope and trust God so she left without the abortion. She has a three year old daughter and is due in March. She was barely holding things together when the FOB (father of her baby) left and she lost her job. We're looking for another apartment for her to lower her $500 a month rent. She owes $157 for electric and $250 for gas. She may have to go to a shelter for a couple of months.

2) Joanie* has two children by the same father of the baby she is carrying. He is pressuring Joanie to abort this baby because he is not ready for a commitment like marriage.

3) Brenda* is a single parent with lung disease and leukemia. Her 19 year old daughter is in college and just learned she is pregnant. Brenda is supporting her daughter and a son. Pray for Brenda and her family.

Gabriel Project Still Needs Special Volunteers

The Gabriel Project is in need of volunteers with specialized skills. Angels and Assistant Angel volunteers work directly with the Gabriel Moms. Other assistance is also needed. If you would like to 1) do data entry in Excel spreadsheets on your own computer, 2) make phone calls to complete data on records, 3) search for grants, or 4) help with Development efforts to raise money for the project, please contact Elaine Alvarez, Assistant Director of the Gabriel Project at elainer@40days-Indy.org.

Gabriel Project Training is scheduled at Our Lady of the Greenwood on this Saturday, Feb. 21st from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. Saturday's session includes leadership training after lunch. Anyone interested in this project is welcome to attend. We only ask that you contact Rachel Flanigan at rflanigan.gp@gmail.com with questions and to register so that we will have enough manuals.

Catholic Life Network Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th with registration and a cash bar at 6:00 pm and dinner and awards from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, 31 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis 46203. Fr. Jonathan P. Meyer, MA, STB is the featured speaker at the 5th annual event.

The Gabriel Angel who will be honored this year is Marian Copley, Coordinator of one of our largest projects at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Carmel, IN.

Catholic Life Network is the Archdiocesan Office of Pro-life Ministry, the Gabriel Project of Indiana and Catholics United for the Faith - Abba, Father Chapter.

*Names have been changed.