By Brian Jenkins 9Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: Syda Productions/Adobe Stock

You are all invited to participate in a Lenten fundraiser to support the pregnancy help service run of the Quebec Life Coalition.

About ten years ago, the QLC created “Enceinte? Inquiète?” to help women in difficult pregnancies. Over time, the program has expanded to include post-abortion counseling, early childhood and family care, and has twice helped mothers carrying twins.

The fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025, in the parish hall of the Church Saint Ambroise, 1215 Beaubien Street East, Montreal, H2S 1T8. Access to the hall is either through the church or from the side street – 6520, rue de Normanville.

The evening will have a Lenten theme, as the 40-days of Lent began the Wednesday before the fundraiser. There will be a Eucharistic Celebration (i.e., Mass) at 4p.m., followed by a social in the church hall downstairs. The menu will be in keeping with the spirit of Lent - prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

In addition, a number of speakers have been invited to share their thoughts on theme of how to support pregnant women and their families in our current culture. Among them will be the People's Party of Canada candidate for the next federal election, Ms. Denise Corderre.

Over the past ten years, "Enceinte? Inquiète?" has been contacted an average of eighty to one hundred times a year.

Admission to the evening is by either by making a monetary donation or by bringing a maternity item. Examples of the latter include diapers (all sizes), baby toiletries, sanitary napkins, a baby carrier, bath towels, baby milk, breast feeding pads, diaper carry bag.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (438) 930-8643.

Pregnant? Worried?

Support Désirée's Need

Désirée called us on Christmas Eve. Fourteen weeks pregnant and without food or shelter, she had found the Quebec Life Coalition’s free hotline number on the Internet and called us.

Since that first call, we have stayed in touch, both by phone and in person. On several occasions we met in coffee shops; twice I invited her and her partner to our office for a meal, and once I met them at a hospital.

There have also been periods of silence when my phone calls and text messages went unanswered, a sign of the struggles.

The lack of stability in Désirée’s life was palpable. Whether on the phone or in person, her voice shows signs of strain and it isn't unusual that she breaks down in tears. I’m sure her unborn child is feeling her mother's anxiety.

Things seemed to stabilize at the end of December. She and her partner found a place to stay in a shelter. Désirée was offered a private room, as were the other women, while he was placed in a men's dormitory. Meals were provided three times a day, although both told me that the portions were meager.

Unfortunately, the conditions at the shelter deteriorated. The residents were harsh with her and made fun of her pregnancy. Eventually, Désirée felt compelled to leave.

Not only does she have to contend with her pregnancy, but the lack of stability in her life, coupled with a low self-esteem, all contribute to a harsh battle Désirée faces. A couple of weeks ago, in a moment of panic, she went to a local hospital to ask for an abortion. Frustrated with the service she was receiving, she called us to vent and soon left the hospital with the child in tact.

She is currently staying in a rooming house where the fees are quite high. She was able to afford the first few days but has asked us for help for the rest of the month. Two benefactors have already stepped forward to defray a portion of her expenses. If you are able to help out, we, Désirée, and her unborn child would all be grateful.

A gift may be made by calling (514) 344-2686, or by an Interac money transfer to the email address [email protected] , or going to our website www.cqv.qc.ca and specifying “Désirée” in the empty box near your address when making the gift.

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) – Photo: fizkes/Adobe Stock

Because of the precarious situation of one of the two infants that she is carrying – her physician thinks the child is underweight, there was talk of an inducing her delivery at the 34-week mark. Yet, matters seem to be working themselves out as she is currently in her 35th week. The wellbeing of the other child is ok, gaining weight.

Danielle requires your on-going prayers as issues regarding paying her rent and having sufficient groceries have come up over the past week. We ae accompanying her with both challenges and others, providing short term and longer-term aid.

Recently, our community of well-wisher have stepped forward to provide her with a wide range of products in anticipation of the delivery of her twins – car baby seats, clothing, undersized diapers for premature children, and plenty of wipes among other items, and even an iron so she can press the newborns clothes.

In other maternal news, we have recently delivered a box of infant clothes to Marie as her little girl, born this past April, is outgrowing her wardrobe. Marc, a long-time QLC volunteer, and Arpad working together delivered a box of clothing originating in Drummondville.

Parliament of Canada.

By Arpad Nagy (Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: Arpad Nagy

Yesterday, for the first time ever, I attended the question period in the house of commons in Ottawa.

And what a day it was!

The Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Hon. Marci Ien, tabled a motion in the house “that contains our plan to require more transparency from charities that use deceptive tactics to push women away from making their own reproductive decisions”. So in short, the liberals, with the help of the NDP and BLOC, are starting their all-out attack on pro-life pregnancy centres.

So many members of parliament from those parties spoke out today against pregnancy centres. So many pregnancy centres provide crucial services to pregnant women and to mothers! Women who receive counseling, financial aid, baby items such as diapers, clothes, food, toys, etc… and all of this free of charge!!! The push to shut down these extraordinary centres that help women who want to have their children is so uncomprehensible!

Jeff Gunnerson, president of Campaign Life Coalition took quick action and wrote a letter to Pierre Poilievre, urging him and the conservative caucus to oppose this motion. He writes: “This legislation is nothing more than evidence of a Liberal vendetta against pro-life organizations that offer women more choices other than abortion, such as adoption and parenting. (…) With this proposed legislation, the Liberal Party is once again reaffirming that it is not the party of ‘choice’ but the party of abortion as the only choice.”

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) - Photo: partystock/Freepik

I thank God for the many people dedicated at building a culture of life that we work with. A case in point illustrates this matter.

In a previous entry, I wrote to you about Danielle. She had contacted our pregnancy support line this past April. Alone, in Canada on Humanitarian grounds, she called to ask whether we would buy her a bed. As her pregnancy was progressing, she was finding it ever more uncomfortable sleeping on the floor. Fortunately, close to her apartment, a retailer was found which sold beds, boxes, and linen and in no time was a deal made, with a delivery arranged for either the following day or the day after.

Since this first encounter, we have continued to provide her with moral and material support.

This past week, in her 34th week, Danielle called us to ask whether we could help her prepare for the arrival of her children, because she is expecting twins. She listed articles including two car seats, diapers, and wipes.

Photo : Freepik

Money was a recurring theme this past week with two women that the Quebec Life Coalition’s pregnancy support program is currently assisting.

On Saturday, Danielle reached out, asking if we could meet, and she gratefully accepted my offer to grab a few groceries. After a quick run to Maxi, I stopped by her place, where the conversation soon turned to finances. Danielle had borrowed some money from a friend to cover her rent and other essentials, but now her friend was asking for repayment. She wondered if QLC might be able to help with a thousand dollars to ease her burden.

Meanwhile, Mary, who gave birth in April, called me after a recent meeting with her immigration lawyer. Since she lives outside of Montreal, I thought it would be a good chance to catch up with her. We met downtown, her four-month-old in tow, and found a spot at a nearby McDonald's. As we navigated the messiness of our Big M's, the topic of her unpaid birthing fees came up. Mary, being in Canada on a visitor visa with no health insurance, was wondering if QLC could lend a hand.

But where are the fathers?

By Brian Jenkins (Quebec Life Coalition) — Photo : StockPhotoPro/Adobe Stock

Many of you may not be aware that the Quebec Life Coalition operates a “pregnancy support service.”

The quotation marks are added to draw attention that we do more than helping young ladies who are experiencing hardship during their pregnancies. Yes, we do the latter but over the years this service has embraced to include mothers of newborns as well to support post-abortive women live with their irreversible decisions. Here are a few examples.

We met Danielle this past May 2024. She called us after having seen our internet notice asking whether we could purchase a bed for her. She had been sleeping on the floor in her apartment and as her pregnancy progressed, it was becoming ever more uncomfortable. So, on a Saturday afternoon, we met and walked over to a retailer not too far from her apartment. There, not only was a queen-size mattress purchase but also the box to go with it and the necessary bedding.