Pro-Life Ministry supports families in crisis with compassion, care
May 27, 2025
A mother is seen holding her baby’s hand. The Office of Pro-Life Activities works to offer steadfast support to guide individuals and families in the Archdiocese through difficult decisions and ensure they are never alone in their struggles. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)
HOUSTON — In times of crisis — whether caused by an unplanned pregnancy, family hardship or a health-related challenge — families require more than just material help. They need a compassionate community rooted in faith, one that stands by them every step of the way. The Office of Pro-Life Activities of the Archdiocese offers steadfast support, guiding individuals and families through difficult decisions and ensuring they are never alone in their struggles.
The ministry’s dedicated staff and volunteers provide essential services such as pregnancy assistance, healing after abortion, family support and volunteer training. At its core, the ministry meets families where they are, offering a listening ear and a network of resources. It also plays a broader role in supporting families facing pregnancy, adoption and infertility challenges, serving as a safety net for those in need.
Julie Dumalet, director of the Office of Pro-Life Activities, said creating a safe space for individuals to share their struggles is essential. Her team is committed to being present for families and making them feel heard and supported, no matter the situation.
“When we are assisting people in a vulnerable spot, they often tell us, ‘I feel so alone. Nobody understands. I don’t feel like I have anybody to turn to,’” Dumalet said. “Our first step is to listen to them, hear their story and connect them with people and resources that can help. Our message is, ‘You’re not the only one, and you’re not alone. We’re here for you.’”
Kerry Chu, director of Social Ministry and Outreach at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, leads the parish’s Pro-Life Ministry with support from the Office of Pro-Life Activities. Its focus is on assisting families with unplanned pregnancies, miscarriage, grief and caregiving. It also supports grieving families and offers programs like the senior care drive and the Gathering Place, a respite service for caregivers of individuals with early-onset dementia. These initiatives reflect the parish’s commitment to supporting life at all stages, from conception to natural death.
Since 2017, Chu has led the Respect Life Ministry. Over the years, she has been involved in various activities, including prayer and organizing events to support life issues.
“This ministry has allowed me to put my faith into action and help others grow deeper in their faith,” Chu said.
Chu has witnessed the impact of the Office of Pro-Life Activities in connecting families at the parish and its Catholic school with the right resources during a crisis. She recalls a family at the school who, after the heartbreaking loss of a baby shortly after birth, received support from the ministry.
“I was able to connect that family directly with Julie at the Office of Pro-Life, who walked them through the stages of grief and provided resources, such as the Jerome’s Hope ministry and counselors offered by the office,” Chu said. “These are ways the ministry has personally touched our parish and school.”
Antonio Franco, a member of the Archdiocese’s 2027 Permanent Diaconate Formation cohort, has witnessed the profound impact of the ministry through his work with the Office of Pro-Life Activities. Supporting initiatives like the Gabriel Project, a parish-based apostolate offering spiritual, emotional and material assistance to women facing challenging pregnancies, Franco believes the ministry provides critical resources and hope to those in need.
“Some women face the difficult decision of whether they should carry their pregnancy to term, especially when they don’t have enough to provide for themselves,” Franco said. “Many of them are single and have considered terminating the pregnancy. The Gabriel Project brings hope, encouraging them to carry their pregnancy to full term.”
Franco said the ministry provides an invaluable lifeline to many women and families, offering practical resources like diapers and baby supplies and emotional and spiritual support during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
“This also provides a good opportunity for us to talk with more people, to evangelize and encourage them to baptize their children and bring them into the Sacraments,” Franco said. “They just need someone to listen to them, and that’s how we’re making a difference. It’s not what we say; it’s listening to their concerns and being there for them. We inform them that the Catholic Church is there to help them each step of the way.”
The Office of Pro-Life Activities could not achieve its wide-reaching impact without the support of the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF). As one of the 60-plus ministries supported by the annual DSF appeal, this crucial funding helps sustain the many programs and services offered to vulnerable families, ensuring that they receive the help they need when they need it most.
Dumalet said the overturn of Roe v. Wade has enabled the ministry to focus on building a culture of life. New initiatives, such as the St. Joseph Foster Care Ministry, provide support for vulnerable individuals, particularly children in foster care and the families who care for them. The ministry has also introduced a new infertility program and a service for families at the medical center who have received a prenatal diagnosis, helping parents advocate for their children, especially those diagnosed with life-limiting conditions.
“All of these initiatives are made possible through DSF funding,” Dumalet said. “We offer retreats for post-abortion healing, provide support for women in crisis pregnancies and train volunteers to better serve families. The DSF is essential to these efforts.”
Franco said there is much more work to be done and that the faithful can make a difference by supporting the annual DSF appeal.
“The DSF is crucial in helping us sustain the mission of the Office of Pro-Life Activities, ensuring that we can continue to support families in need and protect life at all stages,” Franco said. “It’s about being there for people, listening to them and collaborating to make our efforts more successful.”
To learn more about the Office of Pro-Life Activities, visit www.archgh.org/prolife. To donate to the DSF, go to www.archgh.org/dsf. The DSF funds critical services and education for these ministries, with 100% of each dollar donated directly supporting them.