We thank our benefactors and volunteers for giving so much of themselves to advance this ministry this year.
2008 represented the third year of ministry from the time Fr. Stephen Imbarrato founded Project Defending Life in January of 2006. We especially thank Fr. Stephen for his sacrifices and dedication to all those who have touched our lives at Project Defending Life. As we close the year, we reflect on the many things we’ve done together to further the cause of life. Let us review the highlights of the year we leave behind this month.
Last January the first Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity event sponsored by PDL and the New Mexico bishops was attended by over 1,500 at the Masses at the Cathedral, the pro-life conference, procession and rally at the capitol.
In February, PDL sponsored the Albuquerque 40 Days for Life campaign that introduced many newcomers to sidewalk prayer and our work at PDL. In April the 40 Days prayer campaign culminated in the Good Friday Jericho Walk prayer vigil around the Planned Parenthood site attended by 400. Fr. Conrad Osterhout and the CFRs led the devotions. Fr. Millan Garcia heard confessions at the vigil.
There were twelve God’s Precious Infants monthly Saturday vigils in 2008 with Masses, prayer vigils at the Curtis Boyd abortion mill. Thanks to Yolanda Castro and Maura Jans for their dedication to this ministry and all the priests who celebrated the Helpers Masses. In July we moved to a new building next to Planned Parenthood with the Holy Innocents chapel fifty feet away from the abortion chamber. Many hands made light work but we thank especially Juan Lovato for doing much of the handyman work.
Over 150 Holy Masses were celebrated throughout the year at the Holy Innocents chapel. Countless moms and babies were saved from the horror of abortion by the presence of our loving counselors (of course the indefatigable Phillip Leahy almost always present at the abortion mills.)
Laura Bowman who heads the Gabriel Project ministry has overseen the assistance and support given to over 100 mothers with emergency financial support exceeding $15,000 in 2008. The Ultrasound Ministry, Books for Life, and Holy Innocents Religious Gift Shop were added in 2008. Through the generous assistance of key benefactors, PDL acquired a new mobile ultrasound machine in August and volunteers started training immediately. Professional sonographer, Steve Hedval, donated countless hours of his services to help train and conduct ultrasounds for pregnant mothers at PDL. In September, the Fall 40 Days for Life campaign got underway and many parish groups participated to cover prayer time and witness on the sidewalks, seven days a week. The campaign ended on November 2nd with a pro-life prayer rally especially for the national elections (Nov. 4th) in front of PDL. PDL’s large “Vote Pro-Life” banner was stolen and graffiti sprayed on the building which was removed by the city the next day. The stolen banner was immediately replaced.
Two youth groups visited PDL to get a taste of pro-life work during the Fall— St. Michael’s Indian School in Arizona and St. Helen’s Parish, Portales. In October Life Chains, sponsored by PDL, were held in Albuquerque in front of Planned Parenthood and PDL on San Mateo, in Rio Rancho, and Valencia County. New Board members were added in the Fall— Robert Singer, Dr. Mike Johnsen, Dennis Baca, Eileen Racca and Michael Herrick.
In December we hosted the joyful Las Posadas Christmas vigil at the Holy Innocents chapel organized by the CFR (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal) Fathers and Brothers leading the singing, litanies, and adoration. We capped the year with the commemoration of the Holy Innocents Feast Day at the Holy Innocents chapel with Archbishop Michael Sheehan celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and leading the procession around Planned Parenthood with the Blessed Sacrament on December 27th. Finally we could not have accomplished this work and service in the Lord’s vineyard without the inspiration and direction of Fr. Stephen Imbarrato and our dedicated office manager, Sally Govea.
