160 N. Craig Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Volume 41, No. 1 Winter 2012 Tom Behrmann holds first Rosebud baby for Knights of Columbus, Pope Pius XII Council #4925. Faith in Action: The Rosebud Project Tom Behrmann, Knights of Columbus council director and Rosebud Project chairman, for Pope Pius XII Council #4925 in Monroeville, Pa., sees efforts in helping pregnant women rooted in words of Scripture: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17) In his role as chairman of the Rosebud Project, Behrmann is actively reaching out to abortion- minded girls and women referred from Birthright of Pittsburgh, an established pregnancy support center, that has been providing alternatives to abortion in Pittsburgh and the surrounding community since 1971. Project Rosebud assists pregnant women with material and emotional support one month before their expected delivery date until the baby’s first birthday. In April 2008, North American Martyrs Parish in Monroeville formed an alliance with Council #4925 along with members of the Infant Jesus Respect Life Group, to provide monthly home visits with the knights to Rosebud clients. Father Joseph Luisi, pastor of North American Martyrs and St. Michael in Pitcairn, serves as chaplain for the group. In addition to emotional support provided by the knights and group members, hourly home visits offer clients opportunities to obtain free material assistance such as: furniture, a computer, household items, infant clothing, diapers and baby supplies delivered by Behrmann and others. Besides a Birthright layette and diapers, the Stitching Angels of North American Martyrs give beautiful crocheted and knitted infant clothing of dresses, sweater sets, hats, booties, blankets and toys to the new baby. Behrmann says new mothers express surprise and gratitude when they receive donations.
Transcript
Inside this issue:
A Conversation Over Coffee
2
Baby Bottle Fundraiser 2
Contributions 3
Aquinas Academy 3
A Challenge to Reach Out 4
A Perfect Spring Recipe 5
Board of Directors 6
Spring 2011 Volume 40, No. 2
160 N. Craig Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
~Birthright of Pittsburgh celebrates a 40th anniversary this year! Our chapter was founded in November 1971 by Rita Cunningham. We remember Rita with great love, admiration and gratitude. ~
Red Rose Day
It’s a familiar sight at many church doors in Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities, a red rose, the pro-life symbol, being offered to parishioners for a donation to Birthright of Pittsburgh. Originally called “Tag Day,” the tradition of giving a paper or lapel rose in return for a monetary donation to Birthright following church services dates back to the early 1970s, not long after Birthright was founded by Rita Cunningham. It began one winter day in downtown Pittsburgh when Birthright volunteers tried collecting on the streets for the organization despite cold winds and frosty temperatures. Many volunteers pushed strollers with small children bundled up to keep warm as they asked for money from strangers to maintain an office to offer help for mothers and their unborn babies. After receiving little interest from people on the street, disappointed volunteers wondered what to do as they stood outside St. Mary of Mercy Parish when services ended. As they watched people leaving the church, one Birthright volunteer thought she would ask for donations and the response was surprisingly overwhelming. Nancy Sullivan, Birthright board member, was there that day with her own young children and believes God was certainly telling them something and they instantly got it. Over the years, “Tag Day” became “Red Rose Day” but the purpose and way of collecting remains the same today with the faithful support of many parishes, including some from 40 years ago. At Birthright, on behalf of mothers, we say, “Thank you.” By opening your hearts, praying with us for pregnant women and babies and providing generous financial donations, you have kept the doors of Birthright wide open. We know we could never continue to operate all this time without your commitment and support in so many ways.
Julia Lynn, Birthright volunteer, collects for Red Rose Day.
Volume 41, No. 1 Winter 2012
Tom Behrmann holds first Rosebud babyfor Knights of Columbus, Pope Pius XII Council #4925.
Faith in Action: The Rosebud Project
Tom Behrmann, Knights of Columbus council director and Rosebud Project chairman, for Pope Pius XII Council #4925 in Monroeville, Pa., sees efforts in helping pregnant women rooted in words of Scripture: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)
In his role as chairman of the Rosebud Project, Behrmann is actively reaching out to abortion-minded girls and women referred from Birthright of Pittsburgh, an established pregnancy support center, that has been providing alternatives to abortion in Pittsburgh and the surrounding community since 1971. Project Rosebud assists pregnant women with material and emotional support one month before their expected delivery date until the baby’s first birthday. In April 2008, North American Martyrs Parish in Monroeville formed an alliance with Council #4925 along with members of the Infant Jesus Respect Life Group, to provide monthly home visits with the knights to Rosebud clients. Father Joseph Luisi, pastor of North American Martyrs and St. Michael in Pitcairn, serves as chaplain for the group.
In addition to emotional support provided by the knights and group members, hourly home visits offer clients opportunities to obtain free material assistance such as: furniture, a computer, household items, infant clothing, diapers and baby supplies delivered by Behrmann and others. Besides a Birthright layette and diapers, the Stitching Angels of North American Martyrs give beautiful crocheted and knitted infant clothing of dresses, sweater sets, hats, booties, blankets and toys to the new baby. Behrmann says new mothers express surprise and gratitude when they receive donations.
Currently, Behrmann and his council have helped 14 new mothers and their babies since the program was initiated by them. Working with parents, he has observed positive changes with mothers returning to their religious practices, a renewed interest in education and fathers becoming more responsible men.
Behrmann said the foremost principles of the Knights of Columbus are charity and being pro-life at all stages. He envisions Rosebud as meeting these goals by supporting moms and children in need. Three babies were saved from abortion because of support from Council #4925.
Besides involvement with the knights and the Rosebud Project, Behrmann is kept busy with a full-time job and business travel and holds positions as a treasurer of the Bishop’s Project, board member for St. Anthony School programs, faith formation teacher and co-leader of a youth group in his home parish of St. Ambrose in Avonmore, located in the Diocese of Greensburg.
In reflection, he admits he had the wrong impression of why a woman had an abortion. “When I learned that 60-80% of abortions were committed because of financial fears, I cringed. There are so many places help can be obtained.” He sees Rosebud as a solution to providing help to clients at pregnancy care centers by responding to a client’s financial concerns as “the” issue for considering abortion. In his work with the Rosebud Project Behrmann says, “I hope I am considered a faithful servant.”
For more information visit the website at: www.kofc-rosebud.com.
Many Thanks to 2011 Birthright Walkathon Donors and Sponsors
Henny AdoranteAnonymous donor- “To your continued good work”Paul J. Brandimarti and familySusan and Nelson Caro and familyAnne Louise DaileyWilliam Feczko, M.D.Sandra GentilcoreJan GriceGreg HaasHoly Angels Church, Christian Mothers- 3 boxes: clothing & toysLeaders Now International- handmade fleece blankets
Patricia LuparelloRichard MacMurchyJames MaherMary Ann Mansell- handmade baby quilts, blankets & clothingFrances McFaddenMr. and Mrs. Joseph McNallyHelen Milligan-infant clothingMary RodgersCecily RoutmanSacred Heart Parish, Shadyside-Epiphany Party gifts-infant clothing & monetary
St. Columbkille Church- Pro-life groupSt. Paul Cathedral, Ladies of Charity- baby shower & monetary donationsSt. Scholastica Parish- Infant giftsSt. Thomas More Parish- Respect Life SundayAndrea Seewald, The Care RegistryMr. & Mrs. Roger SmithPaul Stamatakis- Campaign donorLance and Kimberly Yoezle
2010-2011 Birthright Board of Directors
President — Teresa Silvestri Vice President — Sr. Joan Murray, S.C.
Treasurer — Robert Kesicki Church Relations — Toni Jester
Community Relations — Kathleen Donahue Fundraiser — Henny Adorante
Volunteer Recruitment — Nancy Sullivan
Executive Director — Paula A. Smith
Opening: Secretary. We welcome your interest in becoming a member. Call: 412-621-1988
Birthright’s newsletter is now available online on our web site at:
www.birthrightpittsburgh.org. Please call: 412-621-1988 to have the
newsletter e-mailed to you.
160 N. Craig Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh , PA 15213 412-621-1988 Hot line: 1-800-550-4900 www.birthrightpittsburgh.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Birthright needs your prayers, assistance and financial support. We are interdenominational, nonprofit and nonpolitical. Dedicated volunteers help girls and women encountering unexpected pregnancies.
“It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.”
Louise Summerhill
-Founder of Birthright-
This newsletter is a free quarterly publication. Call 412 621-1988 to be placed on the mailing list. Editor-Paula A. Smith Graphic Designer-Teresa Silvestri
UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTOR CHOICE NUMBER: 224
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DESIGNATE BIRTHRIGHT OF PITTSBURGH AT YOUR WORKPLACE. WE GREATLY NEED AND APPRECIATE YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
2010-2011 Birthright Board of Directors
President — Teresa Silvestri Vice President — Sr. Joan Murray, S.C.
Treasurer — Robert Kesicki Church Relations — Toni Jester
Community Relations — Kathleen Donahue Fundraiser — Henny Adorante
Volunteer Recruitment — Nancy Sullivan
Executive Director — Paula A. Smith
Opening: Secretary. We welcome your interest in becoming a member. Call: 412-621-1988
Birthright’s newsletter is now available online on our web site at:
www.birthrightpittsburgh.org. Please call: 412-621-1988 to have the
newsletter e-mailed to you.
160 N. Craig Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh , PA 15213 412-621-1988 Hot line: 1-800-550-4900 www.birthrightpittsburgh.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Birthright needs your prayers, assistance and financial support. We are interdenominational, nonprofit and nonpolitical. Dedicated volunteers help girls and women encountering unexpected pregnancies.
“It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.”
Louise Summerhill
-Founder of Birthright-
This newsletter is a free quarterly publication. Call 412 621-1988 to be placed on the mailing list. Editor-Paula A. Smith Graphic Designer-Teresa Silvestri
UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTOR CHOICE NUMBER: 224
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DESIGNATE BIRTHRIGHT OF PITTSBURGH AT YOUR WORKPLACE. WE GREATLY NEED AND APPRECIATE YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
President — Teresa Silvestri Vice President — Sr. Joan Murray, S.C.
Treasurer — Robert Kesicki Church Relations — Toni Jester
Community Relations — Kathleen Donahue Fundraiser — Henny Adorante
Volunteer Recruitment — Nancy Sullivan
Executive Director — Paula A. Smith
Opening: Secretary. We welcome your interest in becoming a member. Call: 412-621-1988
Birthright’s newsletter is now available online on our web site at:
www.birthrightpittsburgh.org. Please call: 412-621-1988 to have the
newsletter e-mailed to you.
160 N. Craig Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh , PA 15213 412-621-1988 Hot line: 1-800-550-4900 www.birthrightpittsburgh.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Birthright needs your prayers, assistance and financial support. We are interdenominational, nonprofit and nonpolitical. Dedicated volunteers help girls and women encountering unexpected pregnancies.
“It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.”
Louise Summerhill
-Founder of Birthright-
This newsletter is a free quarterly publication. Call 412 621-1988 to be placed on the mailing list. Editor-Paula A. Smith Graphic Designer-Teresa Silvestri
UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTOR CHOICE NUMBER: 224
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DESIGNATE BIRTHRIGHT OF PITTSBURGH AT YOUR WORKPLACE. WE GREATLY NEED AND APPRECIATE YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
