Respect Life Ministry hosts educational, fundraising luncheon

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC

HIALEAH GARDENS | One baby. That is all it took to change the world, and it was all possible because a mother said “Yes” to life.

That was the message Mother Adela Galindo, foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, preached to Respect Life supporters gathered recently for an annual fundraising and educational luncheon.

Mother Adela reminded the more than 320 people in attendance that the Virgin Mary was also faced with an unplanned pregnancy — but she gave in, trusted in the Lord and earned the greatest gift for all.

“We can find peace and rest in the heart of a mother… We can heal and be trusted in love, and love can conquer death,” Mother Adela said.

On a daily basis, the Respect Life Ministry reminds mothers and fathers-to-be that life is always an option for their unborn child — and provides the spiritual and material support they need to say “yes” to life.

The Sept. 12 luncheon raised funds for the North Dade Pregnancy Help Center, one of five sponsored by Respect Life in Miami-Dade and Broward. The centers provide spiritual guidance, counseling, and some material assistance for mothers and their babies, not only during pregnancy, but after the baby is born.

“This is a social event which brings in people who normally wouldn’t attend a pro-life event, per se, so we try to make it educational as well as social and just try to reach out to the public to let them know what kind of things we need at the centers,” said Joan Crown, director of the Respect Life Ministry. “Our main weapon is education, and that’s what we have these gatherings for.”

“After that baby is born, we do not forget about you,” said Deacon James Dugard, who served as the master of ceremonies at the luncheon. Deacon Dugard, along with Deacon John Clark, have been appointed by Archbishop Thomas Wenski to minister with Respect Life.

“We take care of you in the hospital, we try to educate you and, if needed, we try to give you money where the government falls through. From my understanding (the Church) is the second largest social services organization in the U.S.; second only to the federal government,” Deacon Dugard said.

The Church, however, cannot do it alone. Fundraisers such as the luncheon provide significant funding for the pregnancy centers and their daily expenses. The fundraisers also help spread awareness across the community.

First time attendee Rita Sarmiento agreed. “It’s very important that there is more participation to bring more awareness to the community, especially with the youth,” she said.

Guillermo Meyer, a parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral who has two daughters attending archdiocesan schools — St. Theresa in Coral Gables and Immaculata La Salle in Miami — said he values the perspective of pro-life taught in Catholic schools.

But Sarmiento added that Respect Life’s mission goes beyond a pro-life choice: It extends to the whole lifespan of a human being.

“It’s not just dealing with the unborn; it also has to do with the quality of life, until the end. The quality, and the dignity and respect of human life,” Sarmiento said.