Issue 82 | January 2018
In this issue: 
Greetings,

"Let us nurture the seeds of peace as they grow and let us transform our cities into workshops of peace."- Pope Francis  ( Twitter post January 1, 2018)


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.

May we all continue to build a culture of life!
January 8:
The Baptism of the Lord

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
"One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."  MK 1:7-11

Gospel taken from the USCCB 
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+ ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY 
March For Life 2017

We all are God's children, made in his image and likeness, and that wherever life was threatened - violence, poverty, hunger, discrimination, abortion - God's People defend it. 

Join us in Washington D.C on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 11:15 a.m as we march for life.

Diocesan Pre-March Gathering Location: 
On the Southeast corner of 12th Street and Madison Drive at 11:15 AM

STAGE: 12th St. on the
National Mall between Madison and Jefferson Drives. (1.5 miles to Supreme Court)  View map


Diocesan Post-March Gathering Location:
Post Prayer Service and Blessing: Continuously, at 15-minute intervals

St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill,
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
313 2nd Street NE corner with C Street NE, (202) 547-1223 (2 blocks from Supreme Court)   View map


TAKE ACTION 

Last Updated: 10/18/2017 

Your help is urgently needed to protect unborn children and women from late-term abortion. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act passed the House on October 3. Attention now turns to the Senate. Please contact your Senators immediately and learn more about this Action Alert. 

Assisted Suicide is Not Healthcare
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

Urge Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act of 2017!
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

9 Days For Life: January 18-26, 2018  

The ideal setting for this "One Night of Prayer, Penance, and Pilgrimage" would be a youth or young adult program.

The goal of the program is to introduce young people to the 9 Days for Life novena. 
A short guide that suggests ideas for youth or young adult ministries seeking to incorporate the novena into their parish programming in January 2018. 

Join to receive the novena through the 9 Days for Life app, daily emails, or daily texts. See below for information on how else you can get involved!
#9DaysforLife #OurPrayersMatter

National Prayer Vigil for Life
Highlights from the 2011 opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life.
The National Prayer Vigil for Life is an all-night pro-life prayer vigil held on the eve of the March for Life each January. Over 20,000 pilgrims from across the nation pray through the night for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life. It is held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. 

The vigil schedule includes the Opening Mass celebrated in the Great Upper Church. Prayer continues throughout the night with the National Rosary for Life, Night Prayer and Holy Hours for Life. The following morning, the prayer vigil concludes with Morning Prayer, Benediction and the Closing Mass the next morning.  

The National Prayer Vigil for Life is one small part of the Church's "great prayer for life." It is sponsored by the USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and The Catholic University of America Office of Campus Ministry. More information | Schedule
Living out Christmas in the New Year

Anne McGuire
DECEMBER 29, 2017 


How do we live out the message of Christmas in the New Year, rather than pack it away with the ornaments?

Each year the Octave Day of Christmas falls on the first day of the New Year, on which we also celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.
Her open heart and courageous "yes" to God show us how to live year-round-with hearts open to the Lord, following where He leads. 

We are called to place our trust in Him, to enter compassionately into the suffering of others, and to love one another as Christ loves us. Like Our Blessed Mother welcomed Jesus, we are called to cherish and protect the gift of human life, at every stage and in every circumstance.

One way to live out the message of Christmas and follow Our Lady's example is to join 9 Days for Life, a digital pilgrimage of prayer and charitable action.

The U.S. Catholic bishops invite you to join thousands of Catholics nationwide from Thursday, January 18 - Friday, January 26.

Join today at  www.9daysforlife.com!

action+ CARE & SERVICES 
Thank you for your support!
Thank you for your support of the  Maternity Advent Project which provides pregnancy care to women and families across Long Island. 
Dear Friends and Supporters of the National Gianna Mission,  

Over the July 4th weekend, I was blessed to be chosen to attend The Joy of the Gospel in America, a convocation of Catholic leaders convened and lead by the US Bishops in Orlando, Florida. The convocation renewed my passion for the work that we do at the National Gianna Center.  

One purpose of the convocation was to inspire Catholic leaders to share the Gospel as missionary disciples, while taking advantage of best practices, new research, and fresh communications strategies. This has been the vision of the Gianna Center from its inception in 2009. We see health care, the intimate encounter with a suffering person and their physician, as an opportunity for evangelization. By demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ to each person who comes through our doors, while simultaneously bearing witness to pro-life, Catholic medical ethics and offering high quality health care, we believe that we can make the Gospel of Life a reality in the lives of individuals and families. Our goal is for every patient who leaves our office to leave saying to themselves, "There is something different here..." and for that "something different" to point them to the love that Jesus Christ himself has for each of them.
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.
Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss, there is hope and healing after abortion.
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)
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. 

 En Español: Esperanzaposaborto.org
What to Do When a Friend is Considering Abortion article2
NEW USCCB RESPECT LIFE PROGRAM    2017-18 ARTICLE

Although the first instinct may be to convince her that abortion ends a baby's life, hearing facts is not the first thing she needs. Research shows that many women in a pregnancy crisis think, "This is the end of my life as I know it." To face the challenges before her, your friend needs to know you care about her for her own sake and she is not alone.

First listening to your friend will help build trust and facilitate openness. Eventually, when she knows you truly care about her and she trusts you, you can share the truth in love. You can share facts about abortion, her own intrinsic worth, and the practical help and support available so she can choose life for herself and her baby.

A truly loving approach reflects St. Paul's description of love in his first letter to the Corinthians: "If I speak in human and angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. ... Love is patient, love is kind" (1 Cor. 13:1,4).

When a woman is facing a difficult pregnancy, the reaction of the first person she tells tends to set the tone for her decision-making. How do we respond to our friend in a loving way that is life-affirming for both her and her baby?

Consider the four steps of the L.O.V.E. Approach™*: Listen and Learn, Open Options, Vision and Value, and Extend and Empower.   Read more
Edd + EDUCATION
March 21, 2018
Holy Trinity D. High School, Hicksville
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Respect Life Office annual contest seeks to provide students the opportunity to reflect upon respect for life as a vital foundational part of the faith. We hope that all participants use this annual event as a springboard to discuss and explore further their individual talents and communicate the message of our ministry on the sanctity and dignity of all human life.  

Please come and join us as we recognize the talents and efforts of our youth.

Respect Life Parish Ministry Educational Overview Training

Now available online for Respect Life Parish Ministry Educational Overview Training. Please go to our website to start your training and gain insightful knowledge on Respect Life Issues or Concern's.

Educación en línea construyendo una cultura de vida, Educación y Formación General Para el Ministerio Parroquial de Respeto a la Vida

El entrenamiento en línea de Educación y formación general para el Ministerio Parroquial del Respeto a la Vida, está ahora disponible. Por favor, vaya a nuestra página del internet para empeza  su entrenamiento y obtenga conocimiento profundo sobre asuntos del respeto a la vida y otros asuntos.

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR cal
January
7
The Epiphany of the Lord
18
National Prayer Vigil for Life
The National Prayer Vigil for Life is an all-night pro-life prayer vigil held on the eve of the March for Life each January. 

8
The Baptism of the Lord
John saw Jesus approaching him, and said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
CF. JN 1:29

19
March For Life
"The birth of every child changes the world: let every child be born for a better world."
For more information visit our website .
9
Let us learn together the meaning and the grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration.
19
National Prayer Vigil for Life Ends
"A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world."- Pope Saint John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, no. 100
12
Designed to provide knowledge and support for individuals who have or are experiencing divorce or separation.

22
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel. 2 TM 1:10
18
 9 Days For Life Begins: Prayer, Penance, And Pilgrimage
Join thousands of Catholics across the country in prayer for a Culture of Life.

26
9 Days For Life Ends
You can still pray for life all year round visit 9daysforlife.com


All scripture taken from the USCCB Daily Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA word

Word of Life - English                      
                                  
 
Including a Prayer for a Mother Before Childbirth and Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for an Expectant Mother 
Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin.   
BULLETIN INSERTS - FOR PARISH RESPECT LIFE inserts
Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
DEUS CARITAS EST ...  GOD IS LOVE
Allison O'Brien, Director
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
______________________________________

Ashley Foster, Media Specialist

CONTACT US
RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
50 North Park Ave.
F: (516) 536-3473
Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
P: (516) 678-5800
Exts.626 & 381
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE! 
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