Breitbach Promise Center to support women
GREENSBORO — More than 1,000 people turned out for Room at the Inn’s annual fundraiser – sharing stories, giving selflessly, and rousing the room to work harder to protect the unborn and support their mothers.
Triad-area clergy, parishioners, Knights of Columbus and pro-life leaders who attended the 27th annual event in a hotel ballroom form the frontline of the Church’s efforts to eliminate abortion.
Since 2001, Room at the Inn (RATI) has housed more than 600 homeless mothers through its maternity shelters and assisted thousands through educational programs and community resources.
“If we are going to be a pro-life Church…we have to do more than oppose abortion. We have to walk with these young women and help them have a better life,” said RATI founder Albert Hodges, a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace. “We are not just pro-life. We are pro-abundant life.”
Bishop Michael Martin made a virtual appearance to call out the leadership of St. Leo the Great parishioners Fran and Paul Breitbach, longtime prolife supporters whose gift has helped launch RATI’s new “Promise Center” for pregnant women.
“For decades they have given generously of themselves to strengthen our Church and help ministries like Room at the Inn flourish,” the bishop said via video. “Faith is not simply something you profess. It is something you proclaim your entire lives.”
Located in Kernersville, the promise center will be named for the Breitbachs and will house a RATI support services center, a volunteer building, an education center, and a childhood development center.
Video testimonials chronicled the impact of RATI’s advocacy: Julissa, who is deaf, was homeless when she found she was pregnant. With little hope, she contacted RATI. She didn’t expect much, but that night RATI volunteers picked up Julissa and brought her to a room and a bed, where she lived out her pregnancy and time as a new mom.
Dr. Bill Pincus was awarded RATI’s “Conrad Lewis Kimbrough Pro-Life Award” for his leadership as the president of the NC Right to Life organization, a leader in pro-life advocacy across the state.
A parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Asheboro, Pincus applauded the sidewalk advocacy RATI does outside abortion facilities: “What they do and what everyone does on the sidewalk is give that woman that a last chance – give that baby that last chance for life.”
Matt Fradd, the Pints for Aquinas podcast host, ended his keynote speech with a simple request: “Offer a Holy Rosary…for the beautiful souls that they are ministering to because this is a spiritual war.”
— Lisa M. Geraci
