Ann Marie Alvey is the new coordinator of the Project Rachel ministry in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG
by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Ann Marie Alvey, a member of Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, knew she had some big shoes to fill when she became archdiocesan pro-life ministries coordinator on July 24.
She was replacing longtime coordinator of the Project Rachel ministry here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Pat Klausner, who had retired. And she was taking on Project Gabriel as well.
But Alvey also felt like it was a dream come true.
“I’ve always been pro-life,” said Alvey. “I wanted to work in a Catholic environment, and [this position] was part time also, which appealed to me because I have a child at home. I was very attracted to this kind of work, which is healing ministry. It felt like a calling — an answer to prayer.”
Alvey and her husband David (who became mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, in January) have five children. She earned two degrees: a bachelor of arts in 1986, and a master’s in counseling in 1989.
She and her husband raised their children in a pro-life household. Not only did they talk about the sacredness of life from conception to natural death, but they took part in pro-life activities as well.
Alvey took her children to pray in front of abortion clinics, traveled to the pro-life rallies at the state Capitol on the anniversaries of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion ruling, and was a chaperone for the Bishop Ward High School contingent at the national March for Life in Washington, D.C.
“I also took my kids to the Kansans for Life dinner, so they could hear from leading speakers around the country on pro-life issues,” she said.
Her family kept her busy — and still does. But now that most of them have “flown the nest,” she is able to follow an additional calling.
“I have been praying some time for God’s guidance,” she said. “I asked him what he wanted me to do . . . next. I’ve been through the Spiritual Mentorship Program . . . so I’ve been doing spiritual mentoring, which couples really well with my counseling degree. I had a desire to work more in the field of helping people.”
Alvey is responsible for two programs. The first is Project Rachel/Project Joseph, and the second is the Gabriel Project.
“Our God is a God of mercy,” said Alvey. “Jesus . . . came for the sick, outcast, hurting and wounded. He healed and restored them to new life. Project Rachel/Project Joseph seeks to serve those wounded by abortion, that they find forgiveness, healing and hope.”
Alvey hopes to increase awareness of the ministry through social media and would especially like to reach out to post-abortive men, a population she said that is also hurting but not easily identified.
Project Gabriel is a ministry for women experiencing difficult pregnancies.
“I am looking for volunteers — ‘angels’ — who will be trained to accompany women on their journey,” she said. “I want an outreach coordinator — who contacts parishes to put up signs and leaves brochures — and others to fill other positions as they become available. Interested persons may contact me.”
Alvey is also seeking “prayer warriors” for both ministries.
