Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 1018 of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee recently held fundraisers to help purchase electronic equipment for Project Gabriel Pregnancy Crisis Outreach.
Project Gabriel is a parish-based, pro-life outreach ministry designed to help mothers of all ages who find themselves in a crisis because of an unplanned pregnancy.
The ministry offers nonjudgmental, compassionate and confidential assistance to women who otherwise might not choose life for their unborn babies.
The program provides assistance to expectant mothers through spiritual, material, educational and emotional support during and after their pregnancies.
Mary Brooks, coordinator of Project Gabriel at St. Benedict Church, said trained mentors, or “Gabriel Angel Volunteers,” have helped more than 175 mothers in the Shawnee area since 2002.
The scope of services the “Gabriel Angel Volunteers” provide to expectant mothers is all-encompassing. Not only do they offer assistance in acquiring baby clothes, maternity clothes and other infant items, such as cribs, diapers and formula, they also offer referrals for medical and counseling help. They tutor young expectant mothers in English, math and parenting skills. They provide transportation for doctors’ visits, shopping or church. They host baby showers for the mothers.
In addition, the volunteers also help spiritually by committing to a Mass, a rosary or a daily prayer for each mother needing help.
Earlier this year, Brooks approached the Knights of Columbus about the possibility of getting help in obtaining a laser printer for the purpose of printing and distributing newsletters and pro-life literature.
The Knights of Columbus is a worldwide Catholic fraternal service organization committed to providing service and support to the community, country and the Catholic Church. It is the world’s largest lay organization in the Catholic Church, with a membership of more than 1.7 million and more than 13,000 local councils throughout the world.
In response to the appeal, members of the Shawnee council sponsored pancake and biscuit breakfasts after Sunday Masses to raise funds for the equipment.
Richard Speers, financial secretary for the Knights of Columbus, said the work of Project Gabriel is consistent with the Knights’ mission of providing pro-life support to the community and the Catholic Church through various programs focused on the sanctity of life.
“It was a worthwhile project to support the work of Project Gabriel as the Knights of Columbus share in their mission to preserve life and to help the community,” Speers said.
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