Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer pregnant women in need.
 

• If you or someone you know is suffering from participation in an abortion, confidential, compassionate help is available. Visit hopeafterabortion.org. Learn how in How to Talk to a Friend Who's Had an Abortion. (usccb.org/friend-had-abortion)

• If someone shared with you that she was pregnant and hadn't ruled out having an abortion, would you know how to respond in a loving way that is life-affirming for both her and her baby? Learn about the four steps of the L.O.V.E. Approach™*: Listen and Learn, Open Options, Vision and Value, and Extend and Empower (respectlife.org/l-o-v-e).

• Pregnancy can be difficult and frightening, but no matter the circumstances, it’s important for an expectant mother to feel supported and loved. Read 10 Ways to Support Her When She’s Unexpectedly Expecting (respectlife.org/support-her) for simple tips on how to provide loving, life-affirming support for a friend who is unexpectedly pregnant. Your support may be the only support she receives.

Accompanying Expectant Mothers Considering Adoption suggests nine ways to offer ongoing support to a woman who is considering making an adoption plan for her unborn child (respectlife.org/mothers-considering-adoption). Many of the tips given are also helpful for supporting a friend who is experiencing a challenging or unexpected pregnancy, even if adoption has not been brought up. Supplemental resources regarding adoption can be found at usccb.org/adoption-resources. 

● Birthright Of Greater Danbury: Phone: 203-744-3737
/https://birthright.org

● Connecticut Childbirth and Womens Center,
Phone: 203-748-6000
https://www.ctbirthcenter.com

● Catholic Charities:
Phone: 203-416-1503
https://www.ccfairfield.org

● Hopeline: 203-540-5225
https://hopelineprc.org

● Malta House: 203-857-0088 https://www.maltahouse.org

● Project Rachel:
Phone: 203-416-1619

●Diocese of Bridgeport Resources
https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/respect-life/home/

● Sisters of Life Hope & Healing After Abortion:
Phone: 866-575-0075
https://sistersoflife.org/who-we-are/contact-us/

● St Joseph Parenting Center: Phone:
203-273-5622
https://www.sjpcenter.org

• The Gospel of Life https://www.usccb.org/resources/gospel-life-brief-summary

• What To Do When A Friend Is Considering Abortion: https://www.usccb.org/committees/pro-life-activities/what-do-when-friend-considering-abortion

The Nativity, detail of Nativity with Donors and Saints Jerome and Leonard, Gerard David, c. 1510-1515
 

The St. Edward’s Respect Life Ministry is dedicated towards prayer, education, and engagement in various issues relating to the respect of human dignity, especially the foundational Right to Life. We work in conjunction with the Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Bridgeport to sponsor various events and educational opportunities.

As Pope Francis stated in his 2021 address to Vatican Diplomats during the COVID Pandemic:

For each human person is an end in himself or herself, and never simply a means to be valued only for his or her usefulness. Persons are created to live together in families, communities and societies, where all are equal in dignity. Human rights derive from this dignity, as do human duties, like the responsibility to welcome and assist the poor, the sick, the excluded…If we deprive the weakest among us of the right to life, how can we effectively guarantee respect for every other right?[1]

Click here for more info and ZOOM link

For more information on the parish Respect Life Ministry, please contact Don Mallozzi at 203-546-7581. You may also visit the link below for more information regarding the Respect Life Program sponsored by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

Respect Life

Do you have an hour or so to spend in prayer outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 44 Main Street, Danbury alongside a sidewalk advocate?
If you do, send an email tai32@mail.com.
They will put you in touch with the sidewalk advocates
so you can set up a time
to help them in their mission.