Gabriel Project Information Center YOU CAN BE AN ANGEL AND YOUR PARISH CAN BE A HOST OF ANGELS GabrielProject Dear Visitor, if upon reading any of the information contained on this site, you have any questions about The Gabriel Project, please don’t hesitate to contact me at fdgabrielproject@gmail.com. NOTE: A REFERENCE FOR BISHOPS AND PASTORS CLICK HERE Personal Message from the host of this site: How could anyone be more important than a child, even while still within his or her mother’s womb? How can we not assist a child-bearing mother in need? The Gabriel Project is a national parish-based pregnancy assistance resource. Our concerns go beyond being assured that a child’s life has been spared or that a mom has been provided with initial baby items. A Gabriel Project parish’s concerns go beyond serving its own parishioners and its parish’s boundaries. We seek to serve all pregnant mothers in need regardless of their personal situation, the size of their family, their age or their baby’s gestational stage. I have attempted to express my sentiments in these regards with the following writings: An open letter to all Catholics, laity and clergy Building a Culture of Life via The Gabriel Project Understanding The Gabriel Project My personal blog posts regarding The Gabriel Project I could never tire of expounding on the magnificence of service this ministry offers to pregnant mothers in need – in the Name of Christ Jesus, through Whom all life is created. I have been so blessed to be able to participate in this special ministry, thanks be to God. Fredi D’Alessio (initial coordinator for The Gabriel Project of the Archdiocese of San Francisco) Email: fdgabrielproject@gmail.com Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of San Francisco “THE MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH COMMUNITIES SEE IN THE CONCEPTION OF EACH CHILD A FRESH EXPRESSION OF GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE. WE OFFER IMMEDIATE AND PRACTICAL HELP TO ANY PREGNANT MOTHER EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES.” The Gabriel Project of the Archdiocese of San Francisco You can be an angel and your parish can be a host of angels. Read the summary about the project below and contact us if you’d like to join the Gabriel Team. REFER TO THE LIST OF PARTICIPATING DIOCESES IN THE SIDEBAR OF THIS PAGE. Click here to read an open letter to all Catholics. The purpose of this letter is to explain why every Catholic should to some degree participate in The Gabriel Project. In the video below, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone presents The Gabriel Project in his Annual Appeal. The Gabriel Project segment begins at 1:24 and ends at 4:56 minutes. VIDEO: CLICK HERE The Gabriel Project A parish-based ministry to support pregnant mothers and their unborn children: In the Gospel of Luke, the Angel Gabriel told Mary the good news that a child would be born and that she was to be the Mother of our Savior. When she asked, “How can this be?” the angel told her not to be afraid for “nothing is impossible with God.” The Gabriel Project announces the same comforting message to frightened pregnant mothers: Fear not, for God is with you! Nothing is impossible with God. Through The Gabriel Project, parishes embrace each pregnant woman who comes to them as their daughter, sister, and friend. Using signs, pamphlets, car decals and a toll free hotline, we make it known that help is available. When a woman calls for help, the phone-line volunteer contacts The Gabriel Project Coordinator, who is a parishioner of the Church closest to where she lives. A trained mentor, one of the parish’s Gabriel Angels, is assigned responsibility for ongoing contact with the mother throughout her pregnancy and somewhat beyond. The parish community assists with unconditional love. Through them, mothers receive the spiritual, material and emotional support needed during pregnancy. Parishes often seek out ways to make themselves visible to the community and to be recognized as caring Christians who not only pray for their neighbors, but also extend them a loving and helping hand. The Gabriel Project is a marvelous way to show the community that your parish cares about pregnant women in need and that there is no reason for any mother within its boundaries to contemplate abortion. History: Following the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 which made abortion legally permissible in all the States, the Rev. Msgr. John Perusina, late pastor of St. Michael Parish on Sage Road, Houston, put a sign outside his church which conveyed the parish’s commitment to provide immediate practical help to mothers with unplanned pregnancies who come to them for aid. That was the beginning of The Gabriel Project. In 1990, Cathy McConn from Houston and her friend, Rex Moses from Corpus Christi, saw the sign, and The Gabriel Project was developed throughout the Galveston-Houston and the Corpus Christi dioceses. It has since spread throughout the country. On November 12, 2002, the thirtieth anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a statement in which they asserted: “Our firm conviction as Catholics that life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception has been a part of the Church’s constant witness since the Apostolic age and has inspired millions to defend human life at every stage.” In this same statement the bishops said, “We renew our offer of assistance to anyone considering abortion: If you are overwhelmed by the decisions you face, if you cannot afford medical care, if you are homeless or feel helpless, whatever your needs, we will help you. The Church and her ministries, inspired by the word and example of Jesus Christ, will help you with compassion and without condemnation.” In the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, the bishops stated: “Respect for human life compels us to reach out to those with special needs. With the support of the faith community, Catholic organizations and agencies provide pastoral services and care for pregnant women, especially those who are vulnerable to abortion and who would otherwise find it difficult or impossible to obtain high-quality medical care.” After listing a number of programs, the bishops noted that “Parishes are also increasingly providing pregnancy assistance. Such services are sometimes available within the parish; at other times, the parish program links those needing help to local services. Even when pregnancies do not involve particular challenges, encouragement and support should be given to couples who have conceived a child. In a culture that often gives negative messages regarding parenthood, it is important that our parishes celebrate the gift of new life.” They also noted that one of the objectives of the “parish pro-life committee” should be to “develop or adopt, where feasible, a parish-based ministry to pregnant women and their children.” In the USSCB document, A People of Life and a People for Life: An Invitation, The Gabriel Project is listed among a number of suggested programs: “Begin a parish-based ministry to pregnant women and their children. The Gabriel Project, developed in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, is excellent and is spreading across the nation. Volunteers in the parish are trained to help a woman through her pregnancy – with practical assistance, spiritual and emotional guidance, and help in accessing needed services.” On August 24, 2009, Archbishop George Niederauer highly commended The Gabriel Project to all Pastors and Parochial Vicars of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and asked them to seriously consider this ministry in their parishes. In his letter, the Archbishop stated that The Gabriel Project is a practical, effective way for parishes to reach out to women in difficult pregnancies with real, concrete help. It embodies the practical support that the bishops promise pregnant women. Learn more about The Gabriel Project: Read The Gabriel Project: Interview with Cathy McConn. Check the links in the Sidebar of this site for Gabriel Project Locations. Read the articles listed in the Sidebar of this site. Share this: TwitterFacebook CONTACT INFO The purpose of this website is to help interested persons locate or introduce, implement and execute The Gabriel Project in their geographical area. This site is made available by Fredi D’Alessio, initial coordinator for The Gabriel Project of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Email: fdgabrielproject@gmail.com Although approved and recommended by the USCCB, The Gabriel Project is implemented at the diocesan level, not a national level. See “PARTICIPATING DIOCESES” below. Contact them to find out which of their respective parishes participate or to offer your parish’s participation. Praise God for Cathy McConn and Rex Mosses who co-founded The Gabriel Project in Texas in 1990 (see “History” below). ABOUT THE PROJECT A REFERENCE FOR BISHOPS AND PASTORS A very special ministry Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco AUXILIARY ANGEL PROGRAM History Our Message to Moms Understanding our Icon Understanding The Gabriel Project WHY IMPLEMENT THE GABRIEL PROJECT? Building a Culture of Life via The Gabriel Project Open letter to all Catholics, laity and clergy RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Car Decal Church Signs Collaboration Policy Gabriel Project Brochure Implementing the Project Pregnant? Need Help? (En) Pregnant? Need Help? (Sp) Volunteer Orientation Volunteer Signup Form ANGEL TESTIMONIES *Called to be an Angel* Being an Angel Being an Angel in multiple ways (Audio) Being an Angel to Theresa Cathy McConn I Gabriel Project parish ‘angels’ watch over troubled moms, families Parish ‘angels’ embrace struggling mom PARTICIPATING (known) CATHOLIC DIOCESES BY STATE: *A Map of Gabriel Project Dioceses *AL Archdiocese of Mobile *AR Diocese of Little Rock *AZ Diocese of Phoenix *CA Archdiocese of San Francisco *CA Diocese of Monterey (HelpLine: 805) 238-4458) *CA Diocese of Oakland *CA Diocese of Sacramento *CA Diocese of San Jose (Helpline: 408-214-2324) *CO Archdiocese of Denver *DC Archdiocese of Washington *FL Archdiocese of Miami (For info email fdgabrielproject @ gmail.com) *FL Diocese of Venice (Helpline 239-601-7330) *GUATEMALA Archdiocese of Santiago de Guatemala (Helpline 502-5015-5151) *HI Diocese of Honolulu (For info call 808-203-6722) *IA Archdiocese of Dubuque (Helpline: 800-771-5790) *IA Diocese of Des Moines *IL Archdiocese of Chicago (Helpline: 888-4-HOPE-4-1) *IL Diocese of Joliet *IL Diocese of Rockford *IN Archdiocese of Indianapolis *IN Diocese of Evansville *IN Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend *IN Diocese of Gary *IN Diocese of Lafayette *KS Archdiocese of Kansas City *LA Diocese of Lake Charles *MD Archdiocese of Baltimore *MI Diocese of Detroit *MI Diocese of Grand Rapids *NC Diocese of Raleigh *NM Archdiocese of Santa Fe *NM Diocese of Las Curces *NV Diocese of Las Vegas (For info call 702-212-6472) *NV Diocese of Reno *NY Diocese of Ogdensburg *NY Diocese of Rockville Centre *OH Diocese of Cleveland *OK Archdiocese of Oklahoma *OK Diocese of Tulsa *PA Altoona-Johnstown *PA Altoona-Johnstown II *PA Archdiocese of Philadelphia *PA Diocese of Harrisburg *RI Diocese of Providence *TX Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston *TX Diocese of Amarillo *TX Diocese of Austin *TX Diocese of Corpus Christi (HelpLine: 361-852-2273) *TX Diocese of Dallas *TX Diocese of Fort Worth (Helpline = 800-545-5935) *TX Diocese of San Antonio *TX Diocese of Tyler *TX Diocese of Victoria *UT Diocese of Salt Lake City *VA Diocese of Arlington *WA Archdiocese of Seattle If you know of a diocese that has a Gabriel Project which is not listed above, please contact me. Email: fdgabrielproject@gmail.com No GABRIEL PROJECT in your area? Contact me for assistance. Email: fdgabrielproject@gmail.com The angel in our icon not only represents the message Archangel Gabriel gave to Mary and we extend to pregnant mothers. He also represents the parish community and our individual parish "angels". He is a symbol of protection, ours and God's. The mother in the icon embraces her child and motherhood with confidence and she too is a symbol of protection. The child in the icon rests peacefully in the arms of mother. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Follow