Pastoral Ministries

Respect Life Office

Present the Gabriel Project to your pastor and seek his approval to proceed.  Inform the parish council and / or finance council about the Gabriel Project.  The Archdiocesan Gabriel Coordinator should be contacted for information and training.
 

Introduction To Parish - Gabriel Sunday

Meet with your pastor to plan how the Gabriel Project will be presented to the parish. It is essential the whole parish know about the Gabriel Project.

• Pick a Sunday with readings which tie in with the Gabriel Project.  October, which is Respect Life Month, January, March 25 the feast of the Annunciation, and/or May are good times to introduce the Gabriel Project.
   

• The Sunday before insert a flyer in the bulletin preparing the congregation for Gabriel Sunday.
   

• On Gabriel Sunday, have someone speak at all the Masses about the Gabriel Project.  The speaker may be the pastor or someone who is involved with the Gabriel Project and is a good spokesperson
   

• Include the Gabriel Project in the prayers of the faithful.
   

• Brochures with volunteer sign-up cards are made available in the pews or at a table near the entrance of the church where parishioners can sign up to volunteer or donate money if they desire.  During the presentation, draw these materials to the attention of the congregation.
   

• Ask the congregation to pray about the area of work God is calling them to do with the Gabriel Project.  Request the prayerful support of the entire parish for the Gabriel Project.
   

• On Gabriel Sunday or at another designated time, the pastor can bless the parish’s Sign of Life. 
   

The Sign Of Life And Other Necessary Materials

• The Sign of Life (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Mother and Baby Books (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Cards, Brochures and Posters
   

• Each Angel receives an Angel Book and a Gabriel Manual at training
   

Angel Training

A list of volunteers is gathered.  All Gabriel Angels must attend an Archdiocesan sponsored training at the parish or at the Diocese before seeing Mom.  This is imperative. The Angels must also obtain continuing Education at the regularly Scheduled Gabriel Project Workshops at the Diocese.  The Archdiocesan Respect Life Office provides training regularly and all training materials.
 

Finances

The Gabriel Project will not be a financial burden on the parish, but it is important to let the pastor and finance council know of the financial needs of the Gabriel Project parishes.

All monies donated to the Gabriel Project must be deposited in a separate account to which the Gabriel Coordinator has access.

• The main expense is the Sign of Life paid for by the parish
   
• The materials and training are provided by the Respect Life Office
   
• All the work of the Gabriel Project is done by volunteers
   
• Fundraising is optional but people generously give when asked
   

Monthly Support Meetings

Plan a monthly meeting so that all the volunteers can get together and keep in close contact with one another for support, encouragement, accountability, spiritual enrichment, and continuing education. Use this time wisely and fruitfully. After each meeting everyone must leave with a new idea, new knowledge, and new inspiration or renewed motivation to continue as an Angel.

Start each meeting in the presence of God.  Plan to get together for a special Mass, the Rosary or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, before your meetings. Each parish Gabriel Project must have a coordinator and volunteers to do different tasks within the Gabriel Project.  Each parish Gabriel Project will be unique in its character because of differences in resources available, number of volunteers, and demographics within the community.  Practical Guidelines for running meetings in Gabriel Resource Manual.
 

Major Catholic Support Services

The Gabriel Project works in collaboration with other parish and Archdiocesan Agencies to provide the best of care, mostly free, for Mom.

• Pre-Natal, Delivery and Post-Natal Care By law, each Hospital must provide charitable services to indigent patients to be eligible for Government Monies. This includes Catholic hospitals. (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Ideally, Mom should be cared for throughout her pregnancy by a Catholic Health Care Provider.   If she must attend the Public or non-Catholic Health care Systems, she is very likely to be offered Sterilization, Contraception, Depo-Provera or IUD's.   Abortion may also be offered, particularly if there is fetal malformation or disease.  See how the Angel can protect Mom. (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Mother & Baby Assistance for the Gabriel Project.    Parish baby showers collect supplies for Mothers & Babies in need. Organize a Baby Shower or Bassinet Sunday, on Mother's Day, in October, or some other time.  MAKE IT AN ANNUAL EVENT. (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Project Rachel is the outreach to women (and men) who have had an abortion or been involved in an abortion decision, offering confidential care, counseling, reconciliation and healing.  (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person to person services to individuals in need, giving emergency assistance with food, clothing, rent and utilities. (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Fertility Awareness and Natural Family Planning, is offered through the Family Life Ministry or other Archdiocesan Agency to help couples understand the gift of their own fertility when planning their families. (Gabriel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Parish Social Ministry, usually an outreach of Catholic Charities, provides professional social service at the parish and helps Gabriel Moms obtain their benefits including Medicaid, WIC, etc.  (Gabriel Manuel Project Resource Manual)
   

• Catholic Charities, among its many services usually has:

-     Services to Pregnant Adolescents and their families.  These services are particularly helpful when working with minor children who are pregnant. (under 18 yrs), where medical, psychological and legal difficulties require professional help.

-     Adoption, foster care, and post adoption services All adoptions must go through a reputable Catholic adoption agency if possible. Catholic Charities will work with the local Gabriel Project in providing workshops on this and other topics. NEVER ARRANGE A PRIVATE ADOPTION FROM THE GABRIEL PROJECT.
 

The Michael's

• meeting with the father-to-be or, in his absence, with the mother-to-be or both as a mentor,
   
• transportation to an appointment or other places with proof of up to date liability insurance,
   
• auto & household repairs,
   
• financial advice,
   
• assistance in finding employment, and
   
• giving masculine example and help.  
   

Help From The Parish

• organizing the Annual Parish Baby Shower, collecting maternity and baby items or shopping for baby items at garage sales
   
• transportation to and from doctor’s appointments,  (Some volunteers may want to reserve a day or morning once a week to take women to their destination.  Company is very important as Mom may feel pressured to abort or contracept by the Medical Service.)
   
• child care
   
• income tax preparation
   
• car and appliance repair
   
• meal preparation
   
• fundraising
   

Stewardship

Transportation

Commitment

• replying to Mom promptly

• checking up on her regularly

• praying for her daily

• arranging for services and responses to needs

• keeping all communications and information confidential

• be available when Mom needs a listening ear

• communicating with the parish coordinator

• attending support meetings

If an Angel is going on vacation, is overwhelmed with a family situation or for some reason cannot be available as an Angel, she must notify the parish Gabriel Project Coordinator that she is temporarily unable to fulfill her commitment.

The Gabriel Project Coordinator is committed to

• knowing all the angels

• matching each Mom with an angel

• communicating training, meeting times and workshop times

• communicating with the pastor

• encouraging collaborative ministry

• following up with angels concerning the Moms they are helping

• mailing in the Confidential Intake Forms
   

Commissioning Of Volunteers And Angels