MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR:

Several months ago we had a young pregnant mom and her 3 year old son staying here in the shelter. She was very excited to get a job interview with a local company, and I offered to take her to the appointment and look after her child while she was being interviewed. The resident was waiting for me at the vehicle to go to the appointment, and it wasn’t until we arrived at the appointment that I saw that she had on 4 inch gold platform high-heels that were certainly not appropriate for a job interview with this company. So I asked what size shoe she wore, it was the same as mine, and she wore my shoes into her interview. While she was gone, I had to take her son into a nearby store to use the restroom. So I had to put on her shoes in order to walk him into the store. The looks I received were just as strange as the way I felt wearing these very striking shoes. But I con-tinued in, took care of her child’s needs, and went back to our vehicle. We had quite a wait for her, and it was very rewarding because she got the job, and started her employment the following week.

After we returned to the shelter, and exchanged shoes, I was overcome by some really strange feelings. It re-minded me of how God tells us to never judge another person until you’ve walked in their shoes. I’ve given that a lot of thought over the last few months and as I meet with each new pregnant mom that comes into the shelter, I’m reminded of the fact that I don’t really know where she’s come from, what circumstances in life have led her to the shelter, or many of the reasons she is in the shelter right now. But I realize even more that we as Christians are given so much to be thankful for in our lives, that we really cannot fully understand what another person has or is going through, until we’ve walked in their shoes.

This particular woman had supported herself over the last 5 years as a prostitute; she had been in jail many times, but when the police found her living behind the McDonald’s with her son and being pregnant, they called our shelter and we took them in and off the streets. As I learned her story, I realized that she came from abuse, had never had any kind of positive role model, and she did the only thing she knew to do to take care of herself and her children. We counseled with her and eventually she was moved to a long-term facility that will give her life skills training and education to make a better life for herself and her children. I’ve wondered about her so many times, and when I dress in the morning, and I pick out the shoes I will wear for the day, there have been many, many times I thought about this young woman, and the courage it took for her to make a better life for herself, and it is a reminder to me that only God can judge another person. My job is to meet the person where they are in their life and leave all prejudices aside as we help her discover what new path God will have for her.

JaLeta

Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter

OUR LADY’S UPDATE

Fall/Winter 2011 Volume 10

At Our Lady of the Angels, we always have ongoing needs for the following:

The majority of items we receive at the shelter are for the babies and children, and without these donations we couldn’t meet the needs of the moms we help. However, many of our moms at the shelter are in need of personal items for themselves, and although the shel-ter provides whatever has been turned in as donations, it would also be nice to offer NEW items for the moms. Some of these items might include: maternity gowns, tennis shoes and socks, house shoes or flip-flops. Gift cards would be great too, for special items such as maternity undergarments. During the win-ter months we always need warm clothing, such as sweat shirts and pants, coats and jackets.

Newborn baby clothes

diapers

formula

baby wipes

coats/jackets

maternity clothes

shoes for moms

And we always have an ongoing “wish” list

Diaper Bags

CD player with headphones

5-Drawer Locking Filing Cabinet

A.E.D. (Automated External Defibrillator)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President, Louis Maspero Dr. Robert Brakemeier Ann Cooney Jane McBride

Vice-President, Dr. Bill Hamilton Dr. Jose Cesani Phil Everett Rev. Joseph Nisari

Treasurer, Stephanie Glorioso Rev. Tom Chamberlain Kim Kroll Msgr. Louis Pavlicek

Secretary, Ann Bierschenk Rev. Ranjan Cletus Bernice Lindley Jerry Samu

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

The Jr. League of Bell County provided a Mother’s Day Brunch for all the residents and their children. Each mom was presented a corsage, gift bag and book, What To Expect When You’re Expecting. They also brought a variety of books for the shelter regarding pregnancy and baby care. The Jr. League Members participating were: Julie Keen-er, Haley Montanaro, Holly Steele and Jennifer Wilkie.

Angels Among Us

The 2nd grade students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Temple chose Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter for their First Holy Communion Service Project. Over 40 students, parents, and teachers provided mulch, plants, and containers of flowers for planting all around the shelter. On the banister in the picture there are flower pots that were decorated individually by each student. These beautiful plants were a great addition to the looks of the shelter. We want to thank each person that took part in the service-day for their energy and hard work to make the shelter look so great.