Dear Visitor,

We are happy to meet you!  Welcome to our HOME PAGE! 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                 

Navigation Table

                                    

About Us
Mission Statement
Meeting Information & Participants
Monthly Outreach Program/Plus Sample Monthly Mailings
Committee & Projects
Newspaper PR
Role of Sponsors & Parishes with Sponsors
Legislative Contacts
Legislative Methods
Pro-Life Lobbyists
Evangelize Individuals to Pro-Life
Evangelize Individuals to Gospel of Life
Maximize Your Spiritual Strength

Contact & Volunteer Information

NAVIGATION TABLE

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Mission Statement:

Inspired by the constant teaching of the Church and by the principles set down by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), the Gospel of Life Society seeks to promote a “Culture of Life” at St. Mary’s Church, in the local community, and throughout the nation.

Reflecting on Pope John Paul II’s words, the Society recognizes the urgency of defending life and defending marriage in today’s society.  It seeks to do this by prayer, offering a monthly Mass for these intentions, and by networking among people who share these same goals.

The Gospel of Life Society welcomes organizations and people who want to share timely information, or who have creative ideas that will help promote the “Culture of Life”.  The Society is willing to assist them by spreading their ideas to other parishes and organizations throughout CT and the nation. Although the group does not support politicians or political parties, it will support pro-family/pro-life policies when they are raised by our government leaders, according to the approved means of political activism set down by our Bishops.

Meeting Information:

• Monthly Pro-Life Mass:  Our monthly Pro-Life Mass is celebrated by Fr. Greg Markey, Pastor of St. Mary Church, the second Saturday of every month, at 9:00 AM, and often includes a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard.  This special Mass nourishes us, and since St. Mary is the "Mother Church of Norwalk", it also nurtures our communities and the entire Pro-life movement.  We invite everyone to come to this Mass, even if you are not able to go to the meeting -- join with us and support the growth of a Culture of Life. 
  
  
• Monthly Meetings:  Meetings are also the second Saturday of every month, at 10:00 AM, following the Pro-life Mass at 9:00 AM. All are welcome! Coffee & refreshments are served AND IT IS DELICIOUS -- SEE PHOTO TO THE RIGHT. 

• Meeting Agendas:  Each meeting begins with prayer and a review of the next section of Pope John Paul II's famous encyclical, “Evangelium Vitae” (which is the heart of Gospel of Life messages), by Fr. Markey.  The group's witnessing and testimonies that follow add personal meaning -- bringing Evangelium Vitae to life! Thereafter, we follow the following agenda, ending with an update on Connecticut-wide programs and projects by Eileen Bianchini, Chairperson.
  

-  Hear a guest speaker (see speaker topics below)
-  Review legislative issues and alerts (at the CT, Federal, Global and Vatican levels)
-  Prioritize key legislative items based on inputs from CT lobbyists (CT Catholic Conference, CT Right to
   Life, and the Family Institute of CT)
-  Share updates from members of groups (non-profit organizations, parishes Pro-life groups, and individuals)
-  Share Gospel of Life updates on programs, committees, projects, and events (such as Catholic Awareness Day or
   the January March for Life)

• Speaker Topics:  Cover all Pro-Life issues including abortion practices in the US and worldwide, contraceptives, Natural Family Planning,
  pharmaceutical R&D with adult stem cell, cloning research, In Vitro Fertilization, death penalty, Eugenics, Pro-Choice movements, Euthanasia and
  much more!  Review previous minutes, in the Library, to read speaker notes;  you may also use the table at the top of the page -- just click on Library.

• Speakers Include: doctors, nurses, scientists, Pro-Life lawyers, Pro-life organizations, Malta House, Sisters of Life, lobbyists such as the CT Catholic Conference or Family Institute of CT, Gospel of Life participants, CT Right to Life Corporation, pregnancy center volunteers and workers, Rachel's Vineyard, political figures, authors, professors, etc. Review previous minutes, in the Library, to read speaker notes;  you may also get to the Library
  page by using the table at the top of this page -- just click on Library.

• Meeting Programs and Projects:  Active projects are described on the projects page; you may also get to that page by using the table at the tope of this page -- just click on Projects. Participants may optionally join group projects and programs that serve to spread the word and evangelize to Pro-Life such as the Mailer Program, the Jenny Story project (which is growing - we are now making posters), the CT Right to Life (with three billboards in CT), the  http://www.ct4women.com/  as well as the Parish Sponsor Program, the Annual Life Chain, our education committees for youth groups and university students, and the newly formed "Medical Committee").  All projects and programs are open to anyone wishing to join, with activities reviewed in monthly meetings.  If interested, attend our meetings and inform us which activities might interest you.   
  
  
  

There is no charge for meetings, and we have wonderful refreshments.  We will, however, as we said above, welcome donations as we are unfunded serve many of the good purposes.  You may click on donations. 

Meeting Participants:

Participants include Pro-Life individuals and groups from parishes, Pro-Life organizations, and other Catholic groups in CT. 

• 61+ participating parishes (and growing): (from all over CT, including  Wilton, Ridgefield, Trumbull, Norwalk, Weston, Danbury, Darien, Greenwich, Waterbury, Stamford, Coventry, Guilford, Hartford, and up to Mystic).
  
  
• Our chapters.

• Many partners and non-profit organizations: such as Connecticut Right to Life, Family Institute of CT, CT Catholic Conference, pregnancy centers throughout Connecticut, including Carolyn's Place  in Waterbury, Young Lives and Birthright in Norwalk and other locations, Rachel's Vineyard, Sisters of Life in CT and NY, and we are working very closely with medical professionals and associations to help minimize the "contraceptive" movement which leads to abortions. Please consider helping us.  

• 500+ members (and growing weekly)
  
  
• 25-50 members participate in each meeting.

We have been discovering that many Pro-Life people have been silent.
They have felt intimidated by the power and funding
    behind Pro-Choice movements or are confused by much of the contradictory information. 
For these and other reasons, they are happy to have found the Gospel of Life Society. 
Some enjoy having a forum for networking and a group voice. For others,
    the Gospel of Life Society offers a way to fight back – a way to fight a Culture of Death
that is oppressive or has damaged them or their loved ones.  
Those with a vision are working toward the conversion of our world
to a Culture of Life.

For those of us who actively participate, after about two years, we began to acquire a certain sense
of vision, purpose, calm and joy --
that comes with a wider perspective on life. We would see it in each other and are in awe.
We think it is because we are doing work that is in alignment with God, and it is a grace from God. 
Certainly in a world of high-tension, torment and pain, this is a wonderful gift.  Join us!

Join us!  Come as often as you can!  Or, if you work on Saturdays, contact us to be put on our mailing list to receive minutes and educational materials.    Phone or email:      Eileen Bianchini (203) 847-5727 or stmarygols@aol.com.  


Monthly Outreach Program

Each month we generate mailers that offer new or timely Pro-Life information.  Mailers are distributed to those on our mailing list, to parishes (through parish sponsors), and are given to legislators by many of our participants who write them regularly. In addition, we keep this Web site up to date, and we continually update the CT4Women site -- especially the Student Info Kiosk page which is read by youth throughout the nation and world.

• Monthly Meeting Announcements.  These are sent to about 17 newspapers in CT.  We now have a project underway to identify key papers in surrounding states to which our meeting announcements will also be sent.
  
  
• Flyers:  A flyer is generated every month in a form that is suitable for posting on parish bulletin boards. Flyers give new information on the broad spectrum of pro-life issues (from abortion and stem cell to family and euthanasia).  They also inform of key events such as such as March for Life, Family Institute of CT rallies, or Catholic Awareness Day. Flyers may also be stacked on parish tables (in the front and back), posted in your community, put on school bulletin boards, and handed out.  They are also easy to email to parishioners, friends, and loved ones, legislators, professionals, etc.  We generally make our 'event' flyers available to any of the lobbyists, the CCC, or other Pro-life organizations for their use also. All flyers reference source Web sites or document(s). 
  
  
• Minutes:  The minutes for each month are emailed or send by the post office to all members.  Through the minutes we keep people up to date who cannot attend meetings.  They include a detailed summary of the talk given by the month's speaker, supporting information for further reading, a summary of Fr. Markey's opening talk on Evangelium Vitae, information offered by members in discussions, upcoming events, the latest legislative issues, and actions required.

• Updates:  Are sent to those on the mailing list as required to provide miscellaneous updates on meeting topics.
    
  
• CT4Women.com:  It is written and maintained by Eileen Bianchini, who relies heavily on member inputs and suggestions.  It is co-sponsored by the CT Right to Life Corporation, Waterbury, CT. Reviewers include Society members who are psychologists, doctors, nurses and volunteers from pregnancy centers, and Pro-life lawyers to whom we are eternally grateful.
  
  CT4Women.com is a major ongoing donation by the Society to the Pro-life movement in CT taking about 10 hours per week to maintain, no including endless hours of research and brain storming with experts (psychologists, therapists, pregnancy center volunteers, non-profits, and pro-life women's groups). This Web Site was designed to deliver greatest value and to do so is unique in a number of ways: 
  
  1) It is a "One Stop Shopping" site -- with all essential information in one place.  It was designed this way to best help young women in Connecticut make critical decisions by putting them in touch with varieties of helpful information and local resources throughout Connecticut.
  
  2) It provides more than surface information, such as lists of names and addresses of pregnancy centers or Pro-life doctors.  It drills down to provide additional detailed information with plenty of guidance.
  
  3) Ultimately, it will offer help to women of all ages to assist with females Pro-life issues in all stages of life. 
  
  4) Natural Family Planning is the next segment we will be adding to support the "Medical Committee" and our Tri-State+Medical Group.

We have gotten great feedback on this program with much appreciation over our consistent use of highly reliable sources of information.  In an atmosphere where there is already a great deal of confusion (with much Pro-Choice propaganda composed of much biased and half-true information), this is essential.  

We have found that this outreach program is indeed a gentle way to educate parishioners, priests, and pastors, students, young career women, legislators, doctors, nurses, and the local community on Pro-Life issues and truths. Many of them have been relying on sources of information that are often biased such as the pharmaceutical industry, the abortion industry, universities who receive funding, foundations who give funding to promote movements and directions, newspapers, media, etc.  In the case of doctors and nurses, they are typically very busy and must rely heavily on their educational training, which generally does not cover key information related to Pro-life issues such as alternatives to contraceptives or the many risks of contraceptives and abortion (which is one of the reasons we formed the medical committee).  Most have not been trained on what an abortion really is -- mistakenly believing it just to be a routine D&C procedure. See http://www.ct4women.com/pc_abortion.html for more details.


Sample Monthly Mailings

To see a sample monthly mailing, please click here. Mailings generally include a Meeting Announcement, News Release, Flyer, Updates. To start receiving copies of monthly mailings, contact us through email or the mail (see “contact information” at the end of this page)

Committees & Projects

We have several strategic ongoing projects.  We are not interested in doing "me--too" projects (duplicates of what everyone
else in pro-life is doing).  Instead, volunteers strive to discover pressing needs for new types of projects in CT and the Tri-state area, and then fill those needs. In its projects the Society has opportunities to be creative and make a difference. Following is information on our current project.  To review all projects, go to "Projects" in the table at the top of this page.

Tri-state Medical Committee --- HELD A SEMINAR ON JAN 17, 2009, to introduce NFP and the Creighton Model, FertilityCare NaProTECHNOLOGY to doctors, nurses, and women in the Tri-state area, PA and RI.  See the Jan 17 Seminar:  Invitation Packet for more information.  The formats are slightly different from actual word doc formats but serve give you an impression of the material we SENT TO OVER 800 DOCTORS as part of the Invitation Packet.  We used this opportunity to provide most of you with several of the brochures in the packet "for your distribution". 

Newspaper Public Relations:

   We send the Monthly Meeting Announcement and “Did You Know” News Release to 17 newspapers including:

   The Advocate – Stamford & Norwalk, The Hour – Norwalk, Fairfield County Weekly, Westport News,
   Norwalk Citizen, Minuteman, Weston Forum, Ridgefield Press,Waterbury CT Republican American,
   Wilton Bulletin, Wilton Villager, Ct Post.

   If you have a paper you would like us to put our material into, let us know. Contact Eileen.

Role of Sponsors:

Sponsors serve the parishes signed up for.  Initially, they introduce the below to parishes.

• Monthly Meeting Announcements: This is time sensitive – should be put into the bulletin one or two weekends prior to the meeting to give parishioners enough notice to pencil the date into their calendars.    

• Flyers:  are primarily for parish bulletin boards.  Please put them up ASAP.  It is easy to get backed up.  They can also be used as handouts anywhere (doctors offices, post office bulletin boards, library bulletin boards, etc. and sent to legislators).  
  

• CT4Women.com Web Site:   especially to youth groups and their parents, and to college and university students!!!  Keep information on this on parish bulletin boards at all times in case one of the unwed women has an unscheduled pregnancy.  The pregnancy care centers can help by referring to reputable adoption agencies, homes to live, etc. One of our projects is the "Pregnancy Center Promotion Project" (check it out in the PROJECTS page).  It was created to spread the world about these wonderful sources of help to unwed mothers -- especially the teens who do not get to hear about them in their schools.

• The goal is for the sponsors to, over time, develop deeper sponsor relationships with key people in each parish to influence their formation of a full, active, and growing  Pro-Life program.  An easy way to start is to provide these contacts with Society information (such as meeting minutes, flyers, articles, handouts, event schedules and information, and educational information or programs for teens and adults, etc).  We have found that they appreciate the assist. 

As they perceive the value of our offerings, it will be easier to approach pastors about regularly telling their parishioners about our meetings and other events.  Sponsors are provided some guidelines and are helped as they require it and may proceed at the own pace. Below is a list of parishes with assigned sponsors.

As of February, 2008, we have volunteers who will work closely with sponsors on a bi-monthly basis to provide assistance and answer questions.

Parishes with Assigned Sponsors of

If your parish is not on that list and you would like to become a sponsor for it, please let me know.   If you are a parish sponsor and having difficulty getting the announcements placed in the parish bulletins, just put the flyer on their bulletin boards -- this happens.  The flyer is the work around and its presence encourages them to put the meeting announcements into their bulletin the next time (they notice that parishioners are interested). It takes time to be a sponsor, which they are so appreciated.

Legislative Contact Information:

Following are helpful Web sites. 

The State of Connecticut – Home page - with House and Senate Lookup Charts
http://www.ct.gov/

List of Committees - A Contact for Each with phone
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/Committees.asp

Locate your district to find your representative, senator, or congressperson, their address and phone numbers.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/maps/Townlist.asp

The Citizens Guide offering general information.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/citizen.asp

A Guide for Reaching Legislators and Testifying at Hearings
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/content/yourvoice.asp

Directions to the Capital.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/DrivingDirections.asp

The process to enact bills.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/hco/eob.htm

Legislative Methods:

When writing legislators, we request you use the opportunity to educate them at the same time.One of the most important objectives of the Gospel of Life Society is to share with legislators the Pro-Life point of view and true facts on Culture of Life issues --  just as we are doing with the Pro-Life contacts in parishes. We are told by Pro-Life lawyers and legislators that for the Pro-Life movement to be successful, we must reeducate our legislators.  Like the clergy, legislators have been heavily reliant on sources of information that are often biased, and they too are so busy there is little time to question or investigate further.  We must help them.   

When you write your legislators, feel free to share with them any information you receive through meetings and the Monthly Mailer Program.  Include Gospel of Life Society articles,  recommended Web sites for in-depth reading or alerts,  key flyers, references to Web sites with Pro-Life info, etc. with your emails and letters.  Do not hesitate to follow-up with a phone call and ask your legislators what they thought about the material you sent.  Even if they disagree, it does not matter.  You have created an opportunity to startup a working relationship.   Over time, that is more important.
 
I have a cousin who is a senator, and he loves to hear from the people he represents, including the Republicans who did not vote for him.  It always concerns him that there are many who do not contact him and that he keeps hearing from the same handful all the time.  They appreciate your taking the time.  But, he recommends that when you communicate with your legislator, do not pound your fist on the desk or in other ways try to force your opinion.  Instead, just present it; be yourself.  Some people think they have to do this to impress the legislator that the issue is important and deserving of immediate attention and a change in voting patterns.  However, the best approach is to kindly present your case and give the legislators a chance to think about it.  What gets their attention most, is your repeated emails or calls and conversations. 

Note:  He said that they also notice rallies (especially if hundreds or thousands of people show up), marches, life chains, etc. and can be moved to investigate a matter further because of them.  When they are staged in CT, please try to attend. It helps a lot.  Legislators told us that at the last Catholic Concerns Day there were not many people – this works against the Pro-Life cause. We must try to attend these events.   

According to the CT Right to Life, CT is currently perceived as a Pro-Choice state by legislators in Washington.   Please spread the word, come to the pro-life rallies and marches, and bring friends.  Legislators who support choice will not take us seriously if we do not turn out. We absolutely cannot pass Pro-life bills or defeat Pro-choice laws if we do not show up. Because of our lack of legislative support and liberal laws, we are still doing 34 abortions per day in CT.

Connecticut Catholic Conference
and Pro-Life Lobbyists & Partners

 

Connecticut Catholic Conference
Representing the Archdiocese of Hartford, Diocese of Bridgeport,  
Diocese of Norwich andUkrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford
     
134 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
ccc@ctcatholic.org

Contacts:
Mr. Michael C. Culhane, Executive Director
Deacon David W. Reynolds, Catholic Legislative Liaison
860-524-7882 
860-525-0750 fax


Other State and National Lobbyists. Publications & Action Alert Sites :

Pro-Life Links:   State, National, and Global

For a substantial list of "Action Alert Links" for pro-life, use the Navigation Table, below, to go to the "Legislative Page".

Evangelizing Individuals to Pro-Life:

On an ongoing basis and during our daily lives, we should:

• Evangelize less active Catholics to pro-life including parishioners, family, friends, coworkers, etc. by helping them to have a more accurate or complete understanding of our Catholic teachings.  For many, this is an important step to becoming pro-life. To do this effectively, it helps to become more knowledgeable of our Catholic faith through the Catholic Catechism, Old and New Testaments, Papal encyclicals, and other key Church documents. 
• Evangelize non-Catholics to pro-life by helping them to better understand the issues from the Catholic point of view.  This is best done by examining the issues and pointing out the untruths and truths that surround them.  When discussing the untruths, it helps credibility to stick to the subject, site reputable sources of information (like the Mayo Clinic or National Institute of Health), and include allot of facts such as names, statistics, metrics, timelines, dates, and names. This gives them good cause to pause and reconsider, the opportunity to take a step toward changing their minds, and becoming aligned with God.  Mother Teresa said "you cannot be for abortion and be a Christian".  Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Matthew 12:30. 
• If we find that some of our brothers or sisters are so staunchly pro-choice that they attack us when we try to open discussions, we must avoid backing down and open discussions anyway -- always remaining peaceful but assertively managing which issues you discuss.  Be rehearsed, add your facts, and if they try to take you off topic or insult your judgment, keeping pointing them to the facts. When they refuse to accept them, stop the conversation or change subject.  Don't waste your time today.  Come back another day. We cannot neglect to do this or we would inadvertently perpetrate their sin.
• If we evangelize some to pro-life, we may have to help them integrate into the pro-life movement and Culture of Life.  It is a drastic change in life style, as many of you have discovered -- it may require a change in priorities, jobs, friends, churches, etc. They will need help. If your 'focused work' with one fails, consider that you planted a seed, ask God to nurture it, and pray for that soul asking for God's will to be done. Then turn your focus to the next loved one. Spend quality time (just as Jesus did when he had dinner with friends and sinners).  Follow the advice Jesus gave to his disciples. 
• As we strengthen ourselves spiritually and we proceed, we should also consider influencing people to pro-life on a larger scale (statewide, national or global) through our letters to editors, articles, membership in national associations, through third orders, etc. 
• And of course there are several vital projects for which we are always in need of volunteers. See our "Projects" page to obtain a overview of our projects and areas in which we can use lots of help, and come to our meetings to find out more. 

Evangelizing Individuals to Gospel of Life:

The Society seeks to promote the Gospel of Life.  One of the methods used is to share the model delivered by Jesus Christ, described repeatedly by our Popes, and beautifully explained in Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical, Evangelium Vitae.  Hopefully, by understanding these concepts,  a Gospel of Life can grow and become prevalent here among us.  Here, then, for your convenience, is the Introduction to Evangelium Vitae – the Heart of Gospel of Life.  Fr. Greg Markey reviews a paragraph from this vital document at each meeting, inviting meeting participants to discuss it and relate it to their lives. 

The Gospel of Life Society also evangelizes through the Pro-Life Mass, monthly meetings,  programs (such as the Monthly Mail program), projects (such as our Web sites and billboards, committees, and events.

Maximize Your Spiritual Strength:

• Develop a closer personal relationship with Jesus Christ (through prayer) and physical relationship (through the Eucharist and Sacraments)
• Build a close relationship with Blessed Virgin Mary
• Try to decrease attachments to things of the world. 
• Work to increase attachments to the Eucharist.  See Bishop Lori's document "The Eucharist:  Source of Unity and Holiness" discussing how the Eucharist supports people and change lives.
• Regularly review the Ten Commandments, ask God to open our eyes, and scrutinize ourselves objectively for Reconciliation.
• Implement a daily prayer schedule that includes formal prayers, listening to God in the many ways He talks to us, and then being willing to act for God (to avoid being a hypocrite). 

Contact Information:

Gospel of Life Society
St. Mary Church
669 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850

Attention:  Eileen Bianchini, Chairperson
(203) 847-5727
stmarygols@aol.com

To receive monthly copies of minutes and mailers provide the below contact information. 
Please provide the below to be put on our mailing list.  You will then automatically receive them.

• For Email Copies:  Forward your name, address (with zip code), phone, parish and email information to Eileen Bianchini, stmarygols@aol.com
• For Mailed Paper Copies: Forward your name, address (with zip code), phone, and parish  to Eileen Bianchini C/o a St. Mary Church, 669 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850.
  

Volunteer Information:

We are in need of all types of volunteers, including member database (most urgent with over 500 members now and growing fast) telephone surveys, sponsor telephone buddies, copying work at St. Mary's, stuffing and mailing work, Web site help (Dreamweaver or CMS), etc. pregnancy care center liaisons, medical committee, university committee, youth group coordinator for parish youth groups, legislative communication committee, pro-life video committee, CT4Women.com and help with Pro-life promotions and programs in schools and universities and much more.  

Please contact Eileen at 203 847-5727, or at stmarygols@aol.com to discuss any of these or other volunteer opportunities or even some of your own suggestions.

Thank you all for your visit to our site!  
We hope you liked what you saw here and some of the things we are doing. 
If so, please donate to help us further our work and do come to our meetings!
Please introduce yourself to me, the group, and Fr. Markey.

Bring family and friends!

 

Donations

Eileen Bianchini, SFO
Gospel of Life Society, Chairperson
(203) 847-5727

Saint Mary Church
"The Mother Church of Norwalk"
Pastor: Rev. Greg J. Markey