In the News:

Elizabeth Ascik

Aleteia 

March 22, 2023

"Melissa Scanlon was not the most likely candidate to start a pro-life ministry.

A convert to the Catholic faith, she had no experience leading a ministry and was busy with a job and her young children. When she attended an information session for Walking With Moms in Need, a new ministry getting started at her parish, St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, she thought she might help by donating a few diapers or having coffee with a mom once in a while. Much to her surprise, by the end of the session she had volunteered to be the ministry’s coordinator.

'I was not connected to the pro-life world at all,' she reflects, 'but I felt very strongly that God was calling me to step up in this ministry, and the rest is history.'...

The ministry at St. Matthew started in October 2020 during Respect Life Month. The volunteers spent the first year and a half meeting with local agencies to find out what assistance was already available. Then they spent time discerning where the parish was most needed to fill the gaps.

In that process they realized that there was no organization in Charlotte that provided diapers to families on a regular basis. Melissa explains, 'There are programs that provide diapers but a lot of red tape is involved – and these women are dealing with a tremendous amount of red tape in every area of their lives. So the concept of the ‘Hand Up Day’ came to be!' 

'Hand Up Days' are held on the first Sunday of the month at St. Matthew. Parish families donate gently used baby and toddler supplies, and moms in need can come and 'shop' for them free of charge. Volunteers assist each client, and the goal is to build a relationship with her and her family...

Melissa shared the story of a young mom who was very fixated on a particular pack n’ play that she felt that she would need for her baby in her small living space. 'The very next day – without me telling anyone — it was on my front porch — a parishioner just dropped it off and hoped we could use it. The mom was so thrilled when I sent her the picture and told her it was hers. That baby is almost a year old now and the parents got married and are both in school and working!'

Melissa has words of encouragement for anyone considering starting WWMIN in their local community. She believes any parish, even one with limited resources, has something to offer. She suggests looking beyond current parish volunteers and encouraging new people to step up and serve....

'I think for too long we have been comfortable leaving the work of accompanying women in crisis situations – pregnant or parenting – to others in the nonprofit and government sectors. It is very clear in the Gospel that this is our job — all of us! A woman in a pregnancy center once told me that most women considering abortion are wrestling with a financial matter less than $250 and that has really stuck with me. If we can lighten the burden just a little, what a difference we can make — it is literally life or death.'" 

Diocese of Orange Announces New

Parental Leave Policy

"...The purpose of paid parental leave is to enable the employee to bond with their newborn or newly adopted child and to achieve a healthy balance between their employment and their new family obligations. Our Diocese believes the new paid parental leave benefit is among the most generous of any diocese in the country.

The Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, has frequently spoken in support of families, specifically pregnant women and mothers, while advocating for policies protecting their right to work.

'As we announce this wonderful news, I think of my mother, a maternity nurse who spent countless hours helping newborns, their parents and their families,' Bishop Vann said. 'I know the generous expansion of paid parental leave for all our mothers and fathers would make her proud, as it does me.'

In answering the call of Pope Francis, Bishop Vann is taking unprecedented action to show our Diocese’s commitment in fostering a pro-life environment."

Diocese of Colorado Springs Q&A:

Walking with Moms, Gabriel Project, Maternity Home

Julie Bailey

The Colorado Catholic Herald

March 17, 2023



"What is 'Walking With Moms in Need?'

'Walking with Moms in Need' is essentially the umbrella term we use for all the projects and programs in the diocesan Respect Life Apostolate whose purpose is to accompany moms. We believe this will be the most effective outward-facing message to the community, so you will see this more and more.

The Gabriel Project is one of the ways we are Walking with Moms in Need. Through Gabriel Project, pregnant moms receive mentorship, spiritual friendship, and help identifying their needs and community resources.

Mater Filius is the Catholic maternity home currently under construction on the campus of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. When it opens, it will provide dignified housing and accompaniment for up to 10 pregnant women experiencing homelessness...

How does Gabriel Project fit in?

Gabriel Project is one way our diocese will walk with moms. Nationally, Gabriel Project was inspired by the Roe v. Wade decision. It looks different in various parishes and dioceses around the country, but in general is focused on helping pregnant moms.

In the Diocese of Colorado Springs, we are following the example of the original Gabriel Project (established in the Galveston-Houston and Corpus Christi dioceses in Texas). In partnership with the diocesan Respect Life Apostolate, parishes identify and train Gabriel Project Coordinators and Angels... who will mentor pregnant moms from their local communities. Any pregnant mom who responds to WWMIN advertising will be connected with her own trained angel who resides nearby. Angels will listen to moms’ stories, provide emotional support, and help moms identify their most pressing needs. They will then help moms connect to resources to fill those needs (Catholic Charities, pregnancy resource centers, government programs). Angels are not social workers or counselors but mentors.

Is Mater Filius part of the Gabriel Project?

No, but there is understandable confusion surrounding this question because the Mater Filius home is being built on the grounds of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. Mater Filius and Gabriel Project are similar in that they both provide support to pregnant moms. But Gabriel Project supports moms who have stable housing, while Mater Filius supports homeless pregnant moms..."

Prayer Intention

May our merciful Lord calm the fears of all expectant mothers, fill them with His peace, and provide for every need.



Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Our Prayer for Pregnant Mothers is available in English and Spanish for free download. It can also be ordered as a beautiful prayer card.

USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

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