Catholic Citizenship
Michael C. Gilleran, Chairman of the Board
Patricia B. Doherty, Executive Director
Spiritual Director
Fr. Samuel Leonard, Chaplain
Staff
Beatrice Martins
Joanne Powell
Teri Breguet
Tom Fitzpatrick
Matt Pandolfo
Robert Aufiero
We are located at 100 Tradecenter 128, Suite 625, in Woburn, MA 01801
Tel. # 781-368-7692 | Fax 781-569-0472 |
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Chairman
Michael C. Gilleran, Esq.
As a litigation attorney for the Boston-based firm Edwards, Angell, Palmer & Dodge, Michael Gilleran has been a long-time ally in the movement to help Catholics gain a better understanding of the political process. Involved in the Massachusetts political process for almost 30 years, Attorney Gilleran has been active in several Catholic organizations and is married to his wife, Elizabeth. They live in Wellesley with their four sons.
Executive Director
Patricia B. Doherty, Esq.
A former Medford City Councilor, Patricia Brady Doherty is a graduate of the University of Maine, Suffolk University Law School and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. During her tenure on the Medford City Council, Patricia was a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Library “Outstanding Young Legislator Award” for Political Leadership. A past legislative director and lobbyist for the Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Patricia currently is a lobbyist for the Coalition for Marriage and Family.
Directors
Gerald D. D'Avolio, Esq.
Having served as the former executive director of the Mass. Catholic Conference for over 25 years, Gerald D’Avolio’s breadth and understanding of the role parishes can play in the arena of public policy is unmatched. As a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, husband, father and grandfather, D’Avolio also worked in the state attorney general’s office and serves on the board of Parents Alliance for Catholic Education (P.A.C.E.).
Deacon Keith A. Fournier, Esq.
A constitutional lawyer by trade, Atty. Fournier was ordained a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 1995. As a senior editor for Catholic Online, founder of Common Good, and associate director of Deacons for Life, Deacon Fournier knows how important a citizen's involvement is to our culture. After serving in the Diocese of Richmond, VA, Deacon Fournier has relocated to Chesapeake, VA with his wife, Laurine, of 33 years. They have 5 children.
James K. Couture
As a Worcester area businessman, James Couture has years of experience in organizing at the grassroots level, having first formed the Massachusetts Citizens Alliance to educate the public and legislators on social and family issues in 2000. Mr. Couture operates a successful financial advisory practice, the Patriot Financial Group in Worcester, and lives in Ashland with his wife Erin.
Victor Pap III
As a former statehouse aide to several members of the Massachusetts legislature and city councilor in his hometown of Weymouth, Victor Pap understands how ordinary citizens can have a profound impact on local government. As a husband, father, parish council and school board member, Victor also understands the importance of getting involved given today’s political climate.
Catholic Citizenship's Coat of Arms
1. Our crest is a BISHOP'S MITRE representing respect to AUTHORITY, meaning we operate under the blessing and guidance of our diocesan bishops (each with his own coat of arms). Our fundamental guiding principle is to adhere to the Magisterium of the Church.
2. Color significance -- RED (the color of the shield's field) means WARRIOR, MARTYR, STRENGTH and MAGNANIMITY. (We are united to fight the good fight.) GOLD (the color in the Passion cross) means ELEVATION of the MIND (We seek to educate the laity).
*There are many different ways to divide a shield in the art of heraldry, as well as many different crosses. We chose the Passion cross to remind us of what our Lord did for us.
3. The shield elements are the symbols that appear on a shield. One reads a coat of arms like one reads a book -- from left to right, up then down. According to the symbols of blazonry:
The TORCH has generally represented LIFE. (We are Pro-Life.)
The HOLY FAMILY represents the family as a loving husband and wife open to receiving the gift of children as used by the Mass. Catholic Conference in its statewide marriage initiative, "The Future Depends on Love." (We are Pro-Family.)
The JUDICIAL SCALES stand for JUSTICE (We are Pro-Poor.)
The PILGRIM is a symbol of our non-permanence in this world.
*As Catholics, we are simply traveling through on a journey, we are really "Citizens of Heaven." (Book of Hebrews)
4. The DOVE represents the HOLY SPIRIT -- our prayer component at the center of our organization. The Holy Spirit guides everything we do and is responsible for all that we may accomplish.
5. The mantle, comprised of HOLLY sprigs surrounding the shield, represents the TRUTH (We advocate the truth in public policy).
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