Everywoman’s Abortion ‘Clinic’ has a new neighbour!
And what a good neighbour it is, too.  Who could not like a neighbour who prays for you every day?  A neighbour who welcomes your visitors into her home and provides for their every need?  A neighbour who keeps a watchful eye on your place day and night?
Whimper
Without so much as a whimper from the pro-abortion movement, Cissy Von Dehn, head of Nurses for Life in Vancouver, managed to bid on and secure the sale of the home directly behind the abortuary at Victoria and 44th in Vancouver.
The former owner, Alma, who had lived at the premises for over 80 years befriended the picketers who came regularly to demonstrate in front of the ‘business’ next door.
She offered hot tea, a bathroom, a chance to warm up and a smile to those trying to save babies and their mothers.
A life house
Alma had been in the hospital for some time with a lengthy illness, and after she died, Cissy decided to invest in this valuable property.
Gianna House, named after a modern-day Christian heroine, is a life house.  Gianna was born in Italy in 1922.  She became a doctor in 1949 and in 1952, a pediatrician in Milan.  At age 39, expecting her fourth child, she found out she had a tumor on her uterus.  She allowed doctors to remove the fibroids without disturbing the child in her womb.  The baby girl was delivered safely and one week later Gianna died of complications.  Gianna had been politically active and an ardent pro-lifer, in addition to her career and home life.  (See box)  That baby girl, also named Gianna, is now a doctor in Italy.
There are some who say this was a waste.  This woman chose the life of her child over her own.  Others feel she was a heroine.
Prayer room
Gianna House provides a meeting place for those who support the choice of life.  A prayer room, a place to stop and think is offered to anyone who needs it, especially any of the clients at Everywoman’s who feel they may be rushing into an abortion without enough information to make an informed decision.
If the pressures and circumstances forcing women to have an abortion can be relieved, many women will choose to carry their babies to term.  Housing, food, financial aid, clothing, help in telling loved ones and working out school arrangements are all offered by this good neighbour.
The beautiful prayer room has been furnished by Father Gale of the Anglican Catholic Church in Vancouver.
“People have been very generous and things have come together quickly since Alma died in July 1990,” says Michael Jones, the full time live-in caretaker.  He makes sure no one is ever turned away.
Mr. Jones volunteered to give time to this cause while on sabbatical from his career as a graphic artist.  He is a 27-year-old classical and flamenco guitarist, whose family has a strong pro-life commitment.
Conscience of Society
“We are fortunate to have this permanent residence available to help women,” he said.
Mr. Jones feels the total spiritual blindness in society is epitomized by abortion.  “This house will become a visible sign to the conscience of society.  It will also shine as a beacon, showing the truth about pro-lifers,” he said.  People’s attitudes about pro-life ‘lunatics’ will change as they see women helped and their babies’ lives saved,” he added.
The Fraser Valley Pregnancy Centre
In December, Father David Hughes, pastor of St. Ann’s Church in Aldergrove, B.C. officially blessed the Fraser Valley Pregnancy Centre.
The director is Marie Aldcroft, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree.
She is assisted by several trained volunteer counselors.  Mrs. Aldcroft explained that their intention is to offer emotional support to any woman who is facing an unexpected pregnancy and is frightened of confused.
“We provide free, confidential pregnancy testing and education on fetal development along with information on abortion techniques and their physical and emotional consequences,” she said.
…and in Ontario Giving life a chance
On January 31, the Options for Life office opened in Toronto.  It is sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, which provides two-thirds of its funding – the remainder coming from Catholic Charities.  Its executive director is Mary Ellen Carey, who has spent twenty-two years as an executive assistant with the Ontario English Teachers Association (OECTA).
Its stated aim is to serve as “a comprehensive integrated network and referral system for care and support of single pregnant women and single mothers.”
The project will seek to bring together all of the many programs of care, concern and support which are presently offered to single pregnant mothers.”
Gianna to the doctors
“We doctors work directly on man…We have chances that not even priests have…Our mission does not end when medicine becomes useless.  There is a soul to bring to God.  Just as the priest touches Jesus’ body so we doctors touch Jesus in the bodies of our patients, be they poor, young, old, children…Jesus should shine through us and find many doctors available to offer themselves to Him.”