Support directory
help for expectant mothers
Are you an expectant mother looking for help? ¿Estás embarazada y necesitas ayuda? Please call our confidential helpline at (703) 841-3810 or visit Help for Pregnant Women for more information. También asistimos en español.
The purpose of the Gabriel Project is to help pregnant women with long or short-term needs by offering assistance at the parish level. The following are just a few examples of the various physical, material, spiritual, and emotional services that can be provided:
Physical: making arrangements for prenatal care and other medical necessities
Material: babysitting, meals, transportation, and donated goods such as diapers, baby clothes, and maternity clothes
Spiritual: prayer support, spiritual formation
Emotional: confidentiality, friendship, availability, support
The Gabriel Project group of St. Charles is affiliated with Gabriel Project Arlington Ministry of the Office for Family Life of the Arlington Diocese.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or if you have some ideas on how our parish can better assist women in crisis pregnancies, please email gabrielprojectstcharles@gmail.com.
help after abortion
Project Rachel is a diocesan post-abortion ministry that offers an integrated approach to healing for anyone affected by abortion with the compassionate support of trained staff, priests and licensed mental health professionals who understand this experience of unresolved sorrow, trauma and grief with the utmost care, compassion and sensitivity. For confidential help, please contact us:
Helpline Info: 703-841-2504 (888-456-HOPE)
For Men: 703-841-3833
Email: info@helpafterabortion.org or info@ayudadespuesdelaborto.org
Other Resources: https://helpafterabortion.org | www.facebook.com/HelpAfterAbortion
Mental Health
Catholic Charities Counselors
Catholic Charities offers professional counseling services for adults, families, and individuals in our Diocese. At this time, English-speaking adults can often be seen almost immediately, especially through virtual counseling. Spanish-speaking services remain available, though wait times may be longer due to limited bilingual clinicians; most referrals are placed within one to two months, often sooner if teletherapy is an option. Referrals made directly by priests receive priority placement when possible.
Crisis support is available for individuals needing more immediate care. Even if ongoing counseling is not yet available, a clinician can provide a consultation and make contact within the first week to ensure support. To request services or discuss a referral, parishioners may contact Catholic Charities directly at 540-371-1124 (Fredericksburg) or 703-687-8987 (Fairfax), or email Program Director Lorenzo Resendez at Lorenzo.Resendez@ccda.net. Catholic Charities is also collaborating with the Diocese on a forthcoming Catholic mental health referral resource to better connect parishioners with trusted, faith-based care.
transgender issues
Courage members are men and women who experience same-sex attractions and who have made a commitment to strive for chastity. They are inspired by the Gospel call to holiness and the Catholic Church’s beautiful teachings about the goodness and inherent purpose of human sexuality.
Through our apostolate, people who experience same-sex attraction receive pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, and fellowship.
EnCourage members are parents, spouses, sibling and friends of people who identify as LGBTQ. They are looking for help to keep the faith and keep their family bonds intact.
EnCourage members work together to understand the experiences of their loved ones, and to respond to them with compassion. They know that it is possible to express love for someone even if we can’t support all of their choices or actions. They find spiritual guidance to grow in their relationship with Christ, and community support from other members that helps them remember that they are not alone on this journey.
From the Diocese