Carolyn’s Place
PREGNANCY CARE CENTER
Volume XXI, Issue 2
CAROLYN’S VOICE
Summer 2013
“Pregnancy Care Center Day in Waterbury”
The seven members of the Waterbury delegation to the Connecticut General Assembly signed a
"Legislative Citation" designating Friday, May 10, 2013 as
"Pregnancy Care Center Day in Waterbury." This
citation was established in “recognition of Carolyn’s Place
celebrating twenty years of service in the Waterbury
area.” (See page 2 for a copy of the citation)
The Citation was presented to Carolyn’s Place during a
special “Open House” held at our Center on the morning
of May 10, 2013. Senator Joe Markley presented the
commendation to Chairwoman Jane Teta, Vice
Chairwoman Ginny Baudinet and Director Ellen Cavallo,
while joined by several volunteers, donors, and clients.
The president of the Connecticut Right to Life (CTRTL),
Bill O’Brien initiated this recognition and was present
Left to right: Bill O’Brien, Officer Mary Jane Robinson, M. Jane Teta,
Sen. Joe Markley, Ellen Cavallo
with other CTRTL members, John Waite and Chris
O’Brien. They were also joined by Waterbury PAL representative Officer
Mary Jane Robinson.
We are proud to be awarded this citation and thrilled to have the support
and encouragement of our legislators. Chairwoman Jane Teta added,
“This recognition from the State of
Connecticut is an honor for Carolyn’s
Mission
Place staff and volunteers – both current
Statement
and those dedicated men and women who
preceded us over the past 20 years.”
Volunteers: Bonnie, Mary Jane and Marge
The seven legislators are
Sen. Joan V. Hartley (15th District), Sen. Joe
Markley, (16th District), Rep. Anthony J.
D’Amelio (71st District), Rep. Larry B. Butler
(72nd District), Rep. Jeffry J. Berger (73rd
District), Rep. Selim G. Noujaim (74th
District), and Rep. Victor Cuevas (75th
Volunteer: Phyllis, and Clients: Britany & daughter Payton
District). The document was signed by the
President Pro Tempore Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr., Speaker of the
House, Representative J. Brendan Sharkley, and Secretary of State
Denise Merrill.
“Love one another”
(John 13:34)
Carolyn’s Place Pregnancy
Care Center is a ministry
committed to empowering
individuals, through
education, comfort, and
assistance, to make life
choices related to their
sexuality and childbearing consistent with the
sanctity of human life.
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This Year’s Annual
Dinner Honorees
On Sunday, November 3, 2013 we will be celebrating
our 21st year of our Carolyn’s Place ministry at our Annual Dinner. The evening will be held at the Pontelandolfo Club in Waterbury with
a delicious five course meal from
La Bella Vista. This year we are
excited to announce that we will
be honoring the Editor and Publisher of the Waterbury Republican – American newspaper, William J. Pape, II with the Maureen
Anne Donohoe Life Award. The
Walter J. Williams Volunteer Award will go to long
time volunteers - Monique and Jean Luc Fortin. Fr.
John M. Cooney, retired pastor from St. John the
Evangelist Parish in Watertown will be the recipient of
the Carolyn’s Place Ministry Award.
ANNUAL MEETING FOLLOW-UP
On April 10, Carolyn’s Place held its Annual Meeting
to update interested supporters on our accomplishments in 2012, as well as our financial status. The evening began with a pro-life Mass celebrated by Fr. Rousseau in Blessed Sacrament Church in Waterbury. Mass
was followed by the meeting in the school cafeteria. Our
Board of Directors displayed a PowerPoint presentation
with information about the ministry. We are grateful to
those who attended and showed their support. A special
thanks goes to Fr. Jeremiah Murasso for allowing us to
use his parish facilities, and also to the staff at Blessed
Sacrament, Linda Hendrickson, Sara Raposo, Kim Petrillo, and Dan for all of their assistance with set up and
clean up to make the evening run smoothly.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
SILENT AUCTION
Last year at our Annual Dinner we held a Silent Auction. Not only did it raise funds for Carolyn’s Place but all of the guests in attendance had fun viewing the items and bidding. So this year we will be having a Silent Auction again at our 21st Annual Dinner. BUT
WE NEED AUCTION ITEMS. Almost anything goes: create a theme basket, ask for a gift certificates from your favorite restaurant,
grocery store, hairdresser, salon, a pass to an amusement park, tickets to a theater or ball game, pick up a bottle of wine, any new item
large or small. Create a theme basket by choosing a theme (for example sports, books, Italian) then ask your family and friends to each
donate one item for the basket. Your basket will fill up quickly without a big expense to any one person. Please consider helping us in
any way Thank You
Please complete and return in enclosed envelope or call Ginny at 203 597-9080, email [email protected]
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH MORE INFORMATION.
I am interested in donating to the Silent Auction. Please contact me.
Name__________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________
Email _________________________________ Best time to call __________________________________________
I would like to donate: _____________________________________________________________________________________
______ I would like to help with the Annual Dinner/Silent Auction . Please contact me.
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A ROYAL BABY SHOWER
Photo from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
In April of 2011, several residents
from the Chatfield Farms community in Beacon Falls, CT organized a
tea to celebrate the wedding of TRH
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. As
a follow up to this successful event,
this spring, on May fifth, the group
held a special tea to celebrate the upcoming birth of the royal couple’s
first child. This tea was a Baby Shower and the gifts brought to the shower were donated to Carolyn’s Place.
Prior to the event, residents Hazel Summers and Margaret Morneau sent a letter to HRH Duchess
of Cambridge Kate Middleton, detailing the teas and sharing the news that the shower was going
to benefit Carolyn’s Place in honor of the royal birth. Much to everyone’s delight, Hazel and Margaret received a response letter from St. James’s Palace. Her
Royal Highness Duchess of Cambridge directed the letter be
sent along with an enclosed photo of the Royal couple at
their wedding.
Not only was it exciting for Carolyn’s Place to be referenced
in this special correspondence, but we also benefited greatly
from the Royal Baby Shower- receiving many beautiful donations for our babies. We are very thankful to the Chatfield
Farms women’s tea group for their clever and enjoyable way
to celebrate motherhood. May God bless Her Royal Highness to have a healthy baby this summer.
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Women’s tea group from Chatfield Farms
WELCOME
Ms. Nicole Macioci
Director of Education
Nicole Macioci is a 2011 graduate of Assumption College, in
Worcester, MA, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with minors in Theology, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Human Services and
Rehabilitation Studies. While at Assumption, Nicole was
involved in mission trips, theater and choral groups, and
served as a Resident Assistant. She was also involved with
Campus Ministry activities, including acting as President for
Advocates for Life. She even spent six months in South Africa studying, traveling, and volunteering. After graduation,
Nicole spent two years working and traveling as an Implementation Specialist for MEDITECH in Westwood, MA.
She also taught religious education to middle school and
high school aged students, as well.
Nicole and her family have been involved with Carolyn's
Place since she was a young girl, and she looks forward to
continuing her involvement as the new Director of Education for Pro-Life Ministry. Nicole believes that her young
age is an advantage to reaching other young people with the
pro-life, pro-chastity message, and she is looking forward to
having the opportunity to dialogue with and inspire them.
Photo and bio submitted by Nicole Macioci
Once there were two women who never knew
each other..
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make Your one...
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
.
From Ellen’s Desk
Adoption---Breaking Through the Myths
An often unexplored and not talked about option in an unplanned pregnancy is adoption.
At Carolyn’s Place we talk about the adoption option often. We
find there is a great deal of misunderstanding about it.
One of the myths we hear is, “no one could love my baby like I
do.” You don’t have to look any further than the foster care
system, to realize that biology doesn’t always make good parents.
The ability to be a good parent has no relationship to one’s ability to give birth. Adoptive couples have proven to be wonderful
parents. Consistent and competent nurturing and love are at
the heart of good parenting.
Helping a young, pregnant teen consider adoption is very difficult. Often she comes to us from a single parent home, headed
by her Mom. She sees no reason for the role of a father. Addressing her needs, talking about her goals and dreams, can lead
to a positive outcome for her and her baby.
Understanding the adoptive process is also helpful. She is not
giving her baby away; rather, she is making an adoption plan for
her baby. Adoption has changed over the years. The birthmother can choose and meet the adoptive parents. Arrangements can
be made for ongoing letters and pictures.
Adoption is not “an easy way out” of an unplanned pregnancy.
It is an act of selfless love. It’s saying, “I love you, but can’t give
you what you need. So I’m giving you two gifts…the gift of life
and the gift of a forever family.”
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One gave you up ... that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me, through your fears,
the age old question unanswered throughout the years...
Heredity or environment .. Which are you the product of..
Neither, my darling .. neither..
Author Anonymous
just two different kinds of love.
SUMMER 2013 WISH LIST
If you can help with any of these items, new or used, please contact us at (203) 597-9080 or
[email protected]
ITEMS NEEDED: Small toy box, small children’s book shelf, office wall clock, Staples gift card, desk chair (on
wheels with no arms).
WISH LIST THANK YOU: We are grateful to the following people for donating items from our Spring Wish List:
Catherine Capuano for a $100 Home Depot gift card; Rodney & Leigh Hudson for Forever stamps; Flo Gaskill
for a new car seat, printer paper & Forever stamps; Dean & Phyllis Tarsi for staplers, an assortment of pliers &
a $25 Home Depot card.
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A Very Special Birthday Girl!
This year when Katherine Foley
had her eight year old birthday parAs our Earn While You Learn parenting classes increase in
ty she celebrated in a very selfless
frequency and number of moms (and dads) participating, so
way. She asked all of her friends to
do our needs for items for their babies. Since we function
bring gifts, but they should all be
solely on donations, we are truly grateful for the generosity of
baby items that Katherine donated
so many people and organizations that continually help to
to Carolyn’s Place. Thank you so
replenish our supplies. During the past couple of months we
much
have been blessed with several overwhelming donations. We
Katherine
are grateful to ALL of our donors and appreciate all that you
for sharing
do to help our moms, dads and babies.
your birthday with our moms and
Many thanks to the employees of Blue Goose Insurance for babies. You are a one very special
girl.
the many baby items such as diapers, teething rings, shampoo, baby books and wipes.
Blessed by Donations
We are truly grateful for the wonderful handmade quilts we
Our sincere thanks to the members of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary Social Concerns group in Harwinton for the received from the Ecumenical Quilters of Naugatuck, CT.
awesome number of diapers and other baby items.
Our moms really appreciated them.
Thank you to Phyllis Carpentieri for sharing her talents by
donating beautiful handmade baby blankets and hats.
The St. Anthony Ladies Guild in Prospect held a fashion
show and the admission was to bring an item for Carolyn’s
Place. They had a very generous audience who donated many
clothes, diapers, wipes, blankets and other assorted baby
items. Thank you for hosting this fun way of donating!
Many thanks to Rachael Visocchi for sharing her talents
with our moms by donating the beautiful handmade baby
items.
Thank you so much to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in
Woodbury for their very generous donation of $300. This
contribution came from the proceeds from their 2012
church fair. We are sincerely grateful for the support you
have given us over the years.
In honor of Mother’s Day, parishioners of the United Methodist Church in Watertown held a baby shower which
reaped many terrific baby items for our moms and babies.
A Place for Quiet Reflection
Thank you to Rev. Paul and Diane Hibbard for sponsoring
such a successful event and collecting so many needed baby
items.
In early May, Ray Crawford added the finishing
Many thanks to Barbara Daniels for the beautiful hometouches to the garden
made quilts. Each of these was stitched with love to keep our “shrine” he
babies snuggled.
created for us
on the side
We extend our thanks to the Blessed Sacrament Knitting
yard of our
Ladies who spent countless hours using their talents to make Center. You
special handmade blankets, hats, and sweaters for our babies. can sit on the
teak bench in the
They were all beautifully stitched and will be greatly appreci- beautifully
landscaped area and
ated by our moms.
have some quiet prayer or reflection time while enjoying
the statue of a mother and child surrounded by beautiful
A belated thank you to the parishioners of St. Anne Church shrubs. It is a relaxing place to spend some time in thought.
in Bristol for the winter collection they took for us. They
We are very grateful for Ray using his “Master Gardener”
were extremely generous with many diapers, baby items and talents with us in this very special way. Please come by and
6 cards. These are especially helpful to our clients.
gift
spend some time enjoying this comforting place.
BOOMERANGS KEEP FLYING!!
Once again the students at St. John the Evangelist
School in Watertown, showed how children can help
children by sponsoring a Baby Bottle Boomerang. With
the permission of principal, Mr. John Petto, the guidance
of 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Susan Charbonneau and the
leadership of event coordinators, Maya and Phoebe Cappola, Anna Amatruda and Madison Burns the boomerang was a big success. The students collected in April
and early May and raised $751.76. Thank you for the
great job!
THE BIG EVENT
This spring, seven members from the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at Quinnipiac University spent their Saturday morning doing
“spring cleaning” at our Center. As a part of the
university’s community service program, the
group of students volunteered and helped wash
windows, scrub floors, vacuum radiators and
transfer the summer and winter clothes. They
were a lovely group of women to work with and
did a great job. Thanks so much for giving up
your Saturday morning sleep-in time and helping
with our spring cleaning!.
A Successful First Year
We are extremely grateful to Fr. Dany Abi Akar for allowing Our Lady of Lebanon Parish in Waterbury to host
their first Boomerang. Thanks to the coordinators, Phyllis
and Dean Tarsi, this very small group of parishioners were
able to raise a generous $962.38. Thank you for doing such
a fabulous job!
ADDITIONAL 2012-2013 MEMBERS
Many thanks to the following people who have donated to
our 2012-2013 Membership Appeal:
PATRON LEVEL
Michael Fappiano
GUARDIAN LEVEL
Anonymous 1
Sen. Joe Markley
Kevin Murphy
Shea Family
Seven Years of Support
Since 2007, the parishioners of St. Aloysius Parish in
Plantsville have enthusiastically sponsored a boomerang for
us. This year, to date, they have collected an amazing
$4,452.61! Thanks to the generosity of the parishioners, the
organization of the event coordinator, and the support of
the pastor Fr. Kevin Dillon, over the past seven years the
boomerang has raised over $47,000 for our ministry as we
save lives and educate individuals on the sanctity of human
life. This is an outstanding accomplishment on the part of
the parish! Thank you so very much.
IF YOUR PARISH OR ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE
TO SPONSOR A BABY BOTTLE BOOMERANG:
A FIRST FOR TWO PARISHES
Under the direction of coordinator, Kim Petrillo, both
Blessed Sacrament Parish in Waterbury and the Shrine of
St. Anne for Mothers in Waterbury held their first Baby
Bottle Boomerangs. These small parishes had successful
events raising $848.16 and $603.15 respectively. We offer a
special thank you to the pastor, Fr. Jeremiah Murasso, Kim
Petrillo, and the very generous parishioners from both parishes for the outstanding fundraiser.
 Purchase, or borrow from us, a sufficient number of baby
bottles for your parish or organization.
 Distribute a baby bottle to anyone interested in participating.
 Ask them to fill the bottle with spare change.
 Have everyone return the filled bottle at the end of a
specified time period. (Usually about 3 to 4 weeks.)
 Total the donations, and send one check to Carolyn’s
Place, Inc.
A BIG SUCCESS!
 Return borrowed bottles to Carolyn’s Place, or save your
purchased bottles and reuse for a future boomerang.
Thank you once again for the generosity of the parishioners
at St. Augustine Parish in North Branford. This year’s
boomerang raised , to date, $2,427.91 . Special thank you
to the event coordinator, Malayna Lovelace. Great job!
For more information call our BBB coordinator
Wes Wensek at 203 266-4282
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Carolyn’s Place, Inc.
Pregnancy Care Center
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
WATERBURY, CT
PERMIT NO. 345
137 Grandview Avenue
Waterbury, CT 06708
(203) 597-9050
VISIT US:
www.carolynsplace.net
RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED
Blog: carolynsplaceblog.com
Carolyn’s Place
Receives Legislative Citation—Pages 1& 2
Honors William J. Pape II at Annual Dinner - Page 3
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