Posted: Saturday, January 30, 2016 10:08 pm

BY JANICE GIBBS | TELEGRAM STAFF

People are quite skilled at talking about helping others in need, but stepping forward and giving action to those words takes commitment.

“Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter affords us that opportunity,” Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of the Diocese of Austin said.

Garcia will be keynote speaker at the 13th annual Benefit Banquet for the maternity shelter.

The banquet will be Friday at the Bell County Expo Center, 310 W. Loop 121, Belton. Social hour and raffle will be 6-7 p.m., with dinner and program 7:15-9 p.m.

Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter provides shelter for homeless pregnant women and their children.

The shelter, a 4,200-square-foot, two-story residence on South 9th Street, can house up to 12 women and children. Referrals to the shelter come from all over.

“Our ultimate goal is to get that baby here safely,” said JaLeta Tidmore, administrator for the shelter.

It is a 90-day shelter, which can be a challenge, since there’s a lengthy waiting list for housing. If the woman is in the early stages of her pregnancy, the shelter will try to get her placed into a long-term facility where she can stay longer. A priority of the Temple shelter is to make sure the women are being taken care of medically and getting them signed up for social services

“God invites us to reach out to those in need and there are times in our lives when we find ourselves in moments of need,” Garcia said.

In the case of the Our Lady of the Angels, these are women who find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy, many with little to no support, or the care required to carry the child, he said.

“In the church, we believe we have an obligation to help anyone who is in need and what better way to show our respect for the dignity of life but to help a mother who is expecting, wanting to deliver the child, wanting to give life,” Garcia said. “We want to do what we can and Our Lady of the Angels offers that opportunity in the Central Texas area. It’s one thing to talk about the respect for life; it’s one thing to say ‘I defend life.’”

Those who care can provide more than money, he said. This is a chance to spend time and make a special effort with the mothers and babies and be a good witness.”

“A young women alone faced with an unexpected pregnancy may feel that abortion is her only option and we would like to help her make another choice, Garcia said.

To keep the child is the mother’s choice but it’s an option of life for the baby, he said

“I think in realms of our Christian calling, we are called to support the dignity of human life and this specific place gives us that chance,” he said.

Our Lady of the Angels the residents receives education and enrichment in the following areas: Pregnancy, labor and delivery; maternal and child care; nutrition; parenting skills; self-respect; relationships; spiritual awareness, budgeting of time and money; and recreational opportunities

Banquet tickets are $50 for individual and $375 for table for eight. For reservations, call St. Luke’s Catholic Church at 254-773-1561.