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This is how we answer our missionary call. This is how we build a culture of life, a culture that joyfully proclaims the truth of God's love, purpose, and plan for each person. Changing the culture is a process of conversion that begins in our own hearts and includes a willingness to be instructed and a desire to be close to Jesus-the source of joy and love.
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The 2018 Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14, for Latin-rite Catholics with Easter Sunday on April 1.
During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to sacrifice self-control through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts-not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446).
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Word of Life / Palabra De Vida
Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes. It is available in both English and Spanish. Each month, you will find: Intercessions for Life , Bulletin Quotes, Bulletin Art and more.
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Palabra De Vida en Español
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The U.S. Senate failed to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 2311) on a vote of 51 to 46. The bill was stopped on a procedural measure requiring 60 votes for the legislation to move to a final vote.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities called the Senate's failure to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act "appalling". Read more
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Long Islanders lend strength to Washington March for Life
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More than 1,300 pro-life advocates from parishes and Catholic high schools throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre traveled to Washington by bus to participate in the 45th annual March for Life on Jan. 19. They were among the hundreds of thousands of people who gathered in the nation's capital on a mild sunny day to protest the 1973 Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country.
Bishop John Barres, making his first appearance as diocesan bishop at the march, greeted several church groups and schools as they arrived at the National Mall in the late morning and early afternoon.
Read more
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In the Direction of Life
Chelsy Gomez
JANUARY 26, 2018
This past week we observed the 45th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion throughout the United States. As in past years, hundreds of thousands gathered in Washington to pray, to march, to lobby, and to work for the end to abortion. We mourn the lives that have been lost in 45 years of legalized abortion. At the same time, we look to the future with hope for those that might be saved. Recent developments offer great promise in protecting the most vulnerable among us.
On January 18, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the formation of a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within its Office of Civil Rights. The new Division will more vigorously enforce existing laws that protect the conscience rights and religious freedom of health care providers like Cathy DeCarlo, who was forced to participate in an abortion.
Read more
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TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to reinstate DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Last Updated: 1/24/2018
Since the announcement that the Trump Administration is rescinding the Obama-era Executive Order known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the issue has become a political football, with the future of nearly 800,000 beneficiaries of the program (including an estimated 42,000 of our fellow New Yorkers) hanging in the balance. While the federal government has the right and duty to protect and secure our borders, the individuals who benefitted from DACA have done nothing wrong. The Dreamers were brought to this country as children by their parents; for many, they have known no other home. Take Action Today!.
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"Say No to Abortion Expansion in the state budget!" We Need You to Take Action NOW!
Last Updated: 1/24/2018
Governor Andrew Cuomo has released the details of his Executive Budget for 2018-2019. Included in his package of budget bills is a non-fiscal "women's agenda" bill that would expand late-term abortions in New York State. The language of this proposal is similar to past attempts, but goes further by legalizing infanticide. The bill would eliminate New York's ban on late-term abortions, empower non-doctors to perform abortions, and remove protections against unwanted abortions. Learn more about this Action Alert.
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Last Updated: 10/04/2017
Cardinal Dolan, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Bishop Dewane, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development have expressed their strong support for H. Con. Res. 80, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that assisted suicide is a "deadly, discriminatory and non-compassionate practice."
Learn more about this Action Alert.
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Last Updated: 09/19/2017
Now is the time to contact your members of Congress and advocate for the protection of life and freedom of conscience. The Conscience Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 644) has been included in appropriations legislation, H.R. 3354, Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 which was approved by the House on September 14. The Senate is also encouraged to include it in must-pass, end-of-year FY '18 appropriations legislation.
Learn more about this Action Alert
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+ EDUCATION
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Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. Its roots are in the Hebrew prophets who announced God's special love for the poor and called God's people to a covenant of love and justice. It is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind"(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with "the least of these," the hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45). Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor. This commitment arises from our experiences of Christ in the eucharist.
Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity. Every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Human dignity comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment. Learn more
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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 104th WORLD DAY OF
MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2018
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"Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees"
Dear brothers and sisters!
"You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (
Leviticus 19:34).
Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty. This situation is undoubtedly a "sign of the times" which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my
visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013. When I instituted the new
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section - under my personal direction for the time being - to express the Church's concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking.
Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (
Matthew 25:35-43).
The Lord entrusts to the Church's motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future.[1]
This solidarity must be concretely expressed at every stage of the migratory experience - from departure through journey to arrival and return. This is a great responsibility, which the Church intends to share with all believers and men and women of good will, who are called to respond to the many challenges of contemporary migration with generosity, promptness, wisdom and foresight, each according to their own abilities.
In this regard, I wish to reaffirm that "our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and
to integrate
".[2]
Read more
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2018 Respect Life
Youth Contest
Award Ceremony
March 21, 2018
Holy Trinity D. High School, Hicksville
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Please come and join us as we recognize the talents and efforts of our youth.
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Gianna Center of Long Island
Women's Health & Fertility
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Comprehensive, Cooperative:
A Unique New Approach to Women's Health and Wellness
Our highly skilled team is delighted to offer an exciting approach to women's health care. We provide preventive and specialized obstetrical and gynecologic care to women, honoring their dignity and the sanctity of human life. While we are successfully able to address male infertility as well, we are uniquely qualified to care for women of all ages and at all stages of life.
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SAVE THE DATE
April 28, 2018
St. Gianna Mass For Women and Families
Information To Be Announced
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Gabriel's Courage - Catholic Health Services
A program for families expecting a child with a life limiting illness.
Gabriel's Courage is a family-centered perinatal program, offering a multidisciplinary team approach and continuum of care for families who choose to continue a pregnancy after receiving a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. A program of Catholic Health Services (CHS) and Good Shepherd Hospice, Gabriel's Courage works in collaboration with the Diocese of Rockville Centre's peer ministry initiative to provide care to families.
More information on Gabriel's Courage Catholic Health Services
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Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
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Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss, there is hope and healing after abortion.
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Diocese of Rockville Centre Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
The Day of Prayer and Healing for Women is an opportunity to experience the loving
mercy of God in a safe and sacred space.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
(Eastern Long Island Location)
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For more information, visit the Project Rachel Hope After Abortion website , call the Respect Life Office's confidential phoneline: 1-888-456-HOPE(se habla espanol) or email projectrachel@drvc.org to begin healing after abortion loss.
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Respect Life Website Donation Page
Join our Mission to Serve Life!
The Respect Life Office enunciates and promotes the principle that human life, at all stages from conception to natural death, is a gift from God, worthy of respect and protection. You can now make an online donation to the Respect Life Office.
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Happy Valentines Day!
For today, thank the special people in your life for everything they do and remember to thank God, too for the gift of those special people.
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UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
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6
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14
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Ash Wednesday
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. PS 95:8
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Annual day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
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18
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First Sunday of Lent
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
MT 4:4B
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10
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This volunteer training builds a foundation for understanding the general principles of ministering to the sick.
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22
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Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
MT 16:18
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11
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World Day of the Sick
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25
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Second Sunday of Lent
From the shining cloud the Father's voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
MT 17:5
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WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA
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Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin. |
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BULLETIN INSERTS - FOR PARISH RESPECT LIFE
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Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
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DEUS CARITAS EST
... GOD IS LOVE
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Allison O'Brien, Director
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
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Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
Bridget Lynn, Respect Life Intern
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CONTACT US
RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
50 North Park Ave.
F: (516) 536-3473
Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
P: (516) 678-5800
Exts.626 & 381
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE!
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