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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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Take Action below on current legislative alerts!
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Bishop Barres' Lenten Letter
Dear Friends:
As we look to the future we are aware that we continue to face difficulties both here on Long Island and in our country at large. Whether they involve the opioid epidemic, gang violence, racism, or any other threat, a deep trust and reliance on the Risen Christ is necessary for us to advance and
make progress in dealing with these problems.
In order to better welcome the Resurrected Jesus into our hearts, a solid Lenten spirituality grounded in prayer, fasting and almsgiving for the needs of the Church and the World is essential.
On Wednesday, April 4, 2018 we will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the tragic death of Dr.Martin Luther King. Our commemoration of this anniversary falls appropriately between Easter Sunday (April 1) and Divine Mercy Sunday (April 8).
I would ask that during the Lenten season we all prepare for this historic anniversary by dedicating dimensions of our Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving to the pursuit of racial harmony and comprehensive immigration reform grounded in the principles of the sanctity of human life and the
dignity of the human person.
Read more
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Pope Francis' message for Lent 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a "sacramental sign of our conversion".[1] Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.
With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: "Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold" (24:12).
These words appear in Christ's preaching about the end of time. They were spoken in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord's passion would begin. In reply to a question of the disciples, Jesus foretells a great tribulation and describes a situation in which the community of believers might well find itself: amid great trials, false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many.
Read more
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+ EDUCATION
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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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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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God's Servant First: The Generosity of the Lomnitzers
Tyler Lomnitzer
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
A little more than 100 miles south of Berlin, Germany lies the small town of Lomnitz. In the early 20th century, when millions of Europeans emigrated to the United States in search of a better life, a small group of immigrants from Lomnitz was processed through Ellis Island. The U.S. federal government assigned the last name "Lomnitzer" to these immigrants.
I am not a Lomnitzer by blood. When my paternal grandfather was born, he was left by his biological mother at the doorstep of a Catholic convent. The loving nuns found a home for the baby, and he was adopted as an infant. He received the name Charles Lomnitzer and became a beloved member of the Lomnitzer family. It is through the generosity of the Lomnitzers, who opened their family to my grandfather, that I am a Lomnitzer.
The Lomnitzers recognized the dignity of each and every human person. Although Charles' biological mother was unable to care for him, the Lomnitzers saw Charles as a gift and blessing to their family. Just as America provided a beacon of hope and the promise of a better life to the Lomnitzers, so too did the Lomnitzers provide a beacon of hope to my grandfather.
Read more
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Restrict State Funding of Abortion
Legislative proposals in New York State historically do one of two things: either they a) amend the state's Social Services Law to delete most abortion and abortion-related services from those which can be funded under the medical assistance (Medicaid) program, or they b) amend the annual state budget to prohibit the use of Medicaid dollars within the state fiscal year budget from funding most abortions.
Exceptions are included in these proposals which allow funding for abortions in cases of reported rape, incest, or endangerment of the mother's life. This tracks the federal Hyde Amendment.
Conference Position
The Catholic Conference supports these proposals which restrict or prohibit the use of state taxpayers' dollars for the purpose of performing abortions. The Conference advocates that the expenditure of these monies instead be directed toward the goal of producing healthy birth outcomes and providing income security to decrease the perceived need for abortions.
Rationale
The U.S. Supreme Court has been clear in ruling that no state must fund abortion. In Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989) the Court said, "Nothing in the Constitution requires states to enter or remain in the business of performing abortions."
New York is one of only four states (Hawaii, Maryland and Washington) which voluntarily compel taxpayers to pay for elective abortions. Another 13 states (Illinois, Alaska, Arizona, West Virginia, Oregon, New Mexico, Minnesota, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Montana and Vermont) do so because they are required to by court order. The vast majority of states follow the lead of the federal government in funding only those abortions necessary to save the life of the mother, and those performed following reported cases of rape or incest (the federal Hyde Amendment).
Citizens do not want their tax dollars subsidizing abortions. A January 2015 Marist poll found 68% of Americans opposed to the use of public funds for abortion, with 71% of millennials opposed.
Limiting abortion funding can only help to lessen the tragedy of abortion. The state should be offering poor pregnant women and their unborn children choices and alternatives to enable both of them to live. Those who advocate abortion suggest that it is cheaper to abort the children of the poor than to care for them after birth. Yet, as a caring society, we must provide the basic necessities to sustain life-adequate housing, nutrition, clothing, education, employment and child care. For poor women, abortion is an act of desperation, not an act of choice.
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Maintain the Ban on Surrogacy
Last Updated: 2/1/2018
Legislation which would undo New York's longstanding ban on surrogate motherhood for profit just got a boost with a new government report recommending the practice. This would enable the buying and selling of children, exploit women and undermine their dignity, intentionally divide families by separating children from at least one of their biological parents, and lead to an increased reliance on IVF (in vitro fertilization) and the destruction of more human embryos. Please let your elected officials know that you oppose this bill because it would do much more harm than good.
Take action now.
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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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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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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.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
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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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UPCOMING RESPECT LIFE EVENTS
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SAVE THE DATE
Respect Life Deanery Coordinator Meeting
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
10 am - 12 noon
Pastoral Center Offices
April 28, 2018
St. Gianna Mass For Women and Families
Information To Be Announced
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UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
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4
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Third Sunday of Lent
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24
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All women are invited to the 6TH Annual Women's Conference The Voice of Catholic Women.
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We invite you to the 2018 Bereavement Conference - Life is Changed, Not Ended with keynote speaker Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski.
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25
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Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out:"Hosanna!
JN 12:12-16
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11
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Fourth Sunday of Lent
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. JN 8:12
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29
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Holy Thursday
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:love one another as I have loved you.
JN 13:34
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18
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Fifth Sunday of Lent
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will never die. JN 11:25A, 26
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30
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Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name.
PHIL 2:8-9
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21
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Please come and join us as we recognize the talents and efforts of our youth.
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31
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Holy Saturday
On entering the tomb they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe,
and they were utterly amazed.
He said to them, "Do not be amazed!
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here. MK 16:5-6
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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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