No One Could Know

Catherine Tardieu Schroeder, left, and I take in the enormity of the unity and work being celebrated at Gabriel’s Corner annual banquet in Council Bluffs.

Surprise pregnancies can be overwhelmingly stressful, but people like Catherine Tardieu Schroeder are waiting with open arms to soften the blow and provide comfort, supplies and relief in numerous ways. She and the staff of Gabriel’s Corner Pregnancy Counseling Center in Council Bluffs have made a tremendous, positive impact in people’s lives.

The Trinidad and Tabago island native is so full of God’s love and passion for her work that I must introduce her to you and let her tell her story in her own words …

Catherine, what are the two most important things you want women to know?

First, that Gabriel’s Corner is here to LOVE and HELP during this life changing time. With advice, FREE pregnancy testing and ultrasounds are given. Secondly, we do not only talk the talk. We also walk alongside the moms emotionally and financially from birth to 3-years-old to ensure the support of their baby’s basic needs so they won’t have to go through this time alone.

Why do you do what you do?

From a young age, God gave me a heart with a special love for babies and toddlers, especially.  I always wanted to be a teacher, so I started a Montessori/Child Development & Education course when my first son was a toddler. I was able to practice the techniques with him and it was so much fun.

I then got pregnant with my second son and at that time as a mother of two boys, my brain didn’t seem to function the same to study anymore so that dream was stored away.

At this stage in my life, God has re-awakened that passion and has guided me to use my blessings and God-given talents to help change the lives of mothers and shape a better life for their babies as well. It has certainly become my new mission and ministry.

How did you get involved in your work?

As with everything else in my life, opportunities happen all in God’s time. Ten years ago I lost my first husband in a car accident, which changed the course of my life. As difficult as this was, God knew that he was setting me up for another phase. So, five years ago I was blessed to remarry. I moved from the beautiful little Caribbean Island of Trinidad to the U.S.A. in August 2010.

My husband Lon and I lived in Carroll, Iowa at first. There I was invited to stand and pray with friends at a 40 Days for Life campaign…it filled me with conviction and stirred up that special desire to work with and help babies.

When we moved to Avoca, Iowa the following year, I knew I had to find a special place to work where I could help make a difference, combine my passions to serve the Lord and help these beautiful and innocent lives at the same time.

Even though I didn’t know it at the time, the answer to my prayers came through the speakers of our car radio. A pro-life organization needed assistance. We attended a community meeting in Council Bluffs, Iowa and it was there that I met Jean & Kathy Plourde, the founders of Gabriel’s Corner Pregnancy Crisis Center.  A few months later I dropped by to visit and after getting the ‘grand’ tour of the center, I knew what God was calling me to do.

I volunteered for over a year and was then asked to come on board as the executive director, a position that I’ve held for over two years and for which I am extremely grateful and blessed. It is emotionally and spiritually rewarding to know you are helping to save the life of another human being.

What have been some highlights of the past year with Gabriel’s Corner?

I was fortunate in January 2015 to attend the March for Life event in Washington, D.C. with two young ladies from my Catholic CCD class and a pro-life youth group from St. Albert’s Catholic School.  It was a life changing experience to see almost half a million young people gather, walk together and stand up for the same cause … speaking out to save the lives of the unborn.

Our ninth annual fundraising dinner in April was an amazing event with speaker Rita Diller of “ALL” who spoke about the project “STOP Planned Parenthood.”

Just meeting all the amazing pro-life speakers, authors and other organizations encourages me to keeping on fighting for this worthy cause.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

If you feel the urge to get involved, please give us a call at 712-323-7756 or come visit as we are always in need of volunteers.