Meet Janelle Stahr: “PAYING IT FORWARD” AND SERVING MOTHERS IN NEED

Paying it forward” has become a trendy phrase.

“When someone blesses you, pass it on. That’s exactly what Janelle Stahr is doing through her involvement in the Gabriel Project. This ministry serves moms in need by supporting them through their pregnancy to the child’s first birthday. Janelle was in the same shoes as some of the women served through the Gabriel Project — she was a single teen mom as a junior in high school. Janelle is thankful she had family support when she found out she was pregnant. Her son, Josh, is 36 years old.

“I can remember so clearly the fear that came over me when I found out I was pregnant,” she says.

Janelle recognizes that her parents were a tremendous support to her and Josh. She was able to finish high school and earn a bachelor’s degree in college. But she knows many women don’t have this help. This is the reason the Gabriel Project is near and dear to her heart.

“I truly felt called to help support other women in the position that I was in,” Janelle says. “I want to help them keep their baby.”

Janelle was attending Mass at Sacred Heart in Wichita Falls when she learned about this ministry during the homily. She stepped forward to help and is part of the core group for the Gabriel Project. Sacred Heart serves as the hub for this ministry, but all area parishes are welcome to get involved and refer mothers.

With the overturning of Roe v Wade, now is the perfect time to start or reinvigorate ministries that help pregnant mothers.

“Our goal is simple — to help women who are pregnant,” Janelle says. “They are assigned an ‘angel,’ who is with them until the baby’s first birthday to help support them emotionally and help connect them with resources. They provide unconditional love to the mom and baby.”

The Gabriel Project is coordinated through Catholic Charities. Parishioners can get involved by becoming a trained angel or donating items like crib mattresses, diapers, baby clothing and wipes. Cash donations are also appreciated. Janelle also wants people to know that this ministry isn’t just for teen mothers. Any mother in a difficult pregnancy situation can be paired with an angel, even if they already have several other children.

“This really brings my heart joy,” Janelle says. “This is an awesome program, and it’s wonderful to be a part of it.”

Janelle is paying it forward in every sense of the phrase. She wants to provide love to all moms, and she can’t wait to get started.

“Every scenario is different, and it’s the Gabriel Project’s mission — it’s my mission — to be there to support these women,” she says.

Janelle has been a parishioner at St. Jude Thaddeus since she was 13 years old. She and her husband, Ed, moved out of state for two years and recently moved back. She previously served as a CCD teacher and in the Altar Society.

“There are so many good people here at our parishes,” she says. “When we moved back, we were welcomed with open arms.”

Professionally, Janelle works in child support for the Attorney General’s office. She enjoys spending time with family and their dog, doing yard work, and being outside.

If you would like to learn more about the Gabriel Project, please visit www.stjudeburkburnett.org/local-pregnancy-resources. You can sign up to volunteer or make a donation online.

Janelle Stahr