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Respect Life
The mission of the Respect Life Office is to enunciate and promote the principle that human life, at all stages from conception to natural death, is a gift from God, worthy of respect and protection.
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ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
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Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope
June 22 - June 29
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Join us,
June 22 - June 29, as we pray, reflect, and take action on religious liberty, both here in this country and abroad.
In the pilgrimage of this life, hidden with Christ in God and free from enslavement to wealth, they aspire to those riches which remain forever and generously dedicate themselves wholly to the advancement of the kingdom of God and to the reform and improvement of the temporal order in a Christian spirit. Among the trials of this life they find strength in hope, convinced that "the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18). -Apostolicam actuositatem, 4
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“Religious freedom certainly means the right to worship God, individually and in community, as our consciences dictate. But religious liberty, by its nature, transcends places of worship and the private sphere of individuals and families.”
(Pope Francis—Address at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, September 26, 2015)
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U.S. Bishops’ Chairman Applauds States Passing of Pro-Life Legislation
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May 23, 2019
WASHINGTON—The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, has issued a statement regarding states recent passing of pro-life legislation.
The full statement follows:
“Every single human life has value. The trend of states passing pro-life legislation is a very encouraging move toward ensuring that our society cherishes unborn children and their most basic right to life. The pro-life movement has always had two critical goals: increasing support for mothers and children and eliminating the tragedy of abortion. Our march for justice and human rights for unborn children will not be complete until they are recognized and protected as persons by the law."
Read more
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TAKE ACTION ON LEGISLATION
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Born-Alive Legislation Deserves a Vote in the People's House
May 17, 2019
Please urge your representative to support the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 962) by signing the discharge petition and voting to pass the bill. The discharge petition is a mechanism that allows the House minority to force a vote on a bill when the majority refuses to act. We can break the blockade. If we can get 218 Members (a simple majority) to sign the petition the
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Diocesan/Parish Resource Kit for Targeted Efforts to Pass Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 962)
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- Sample action calendar (suggestions of what to do, when)
- www.babiesbornalive.com (very simple web page with links to action alert and more information—please promote this site wherever you can.)
- Texting option to contact your U.S. representative: Text ALIVE to 50457. (Standard messaging & data rates apply.)
- 5- and 30-second PSA audio clips (to send to your diocesan or local radio stations, or to use in your own videos, etc.)
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Information on Abortion Expansion Legislation (Reproductive Health Act)
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Sign the Petition to Repeal the Abortion Law
Express your firm opposition to New York's new abortion law by the signing the petition to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Urge him and the legislature to repeal the radical new law in its entirety.
Read More
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Legislative Roll Call on Abortion Expansion Legislation
(Reproductive Health Act)
See how your legislator voted, and send a message to your elected officials about their vote.
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Abortion Expansion Legislation
(Reproductive Health Act) Analysis of the Bill
View a a full analysis of the Abortion Expansion Legislation
(Reproductive Health Act)
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Ways for You to Get Involved
Consider how you can give a greater witness to the truth that we are all created in God’s image.
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See below for a list of current issues for you to learn more and to take action.
- New: Support Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers - Legislation designed to intimidate and silence pro-life pregnancy centers has passed through a Senate Committee. The bill, S.2264 would force pregnancy centers to disclose to prospective clients the services they do not provide (i.e. abortion), or face stiff penalties.
- Oppose Doctor-Assisted Suicide - They seek to make it legal for patients to receive a lethal dose of drugs that they can take home and use to kill themselves.
- Sign the Petition to Repeal the Abortion Law - Express your firm opposition to New York's new abortion law by signing the petition to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Urge him and the legislature to repeal the radical new law in its entirety. Sign it today and share it with your friends.
- Express your view on abortion expansion - Now that the legislature has passed and enacted the Abortion Expansion Act, we must hold our lawmakers accountable. Please use the message form below to let your elected officials know how you feel about how they voted.
- Maintain the ban on surrogacy - This would enable the buying and selling of children and the exploitation of women, and will lead to an increased reliance on IVF (in vitro fertilization) and the destruction of more human embryos.
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June 16, 2019
Happy Fathers Day!
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A Prayer for Fathers
God our Father,
we give you thanks and praise
for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers,
newly embracing their vocation;
May they find the courage and perseverance
to balance work, family, and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for our own fathers
who have supported and challenged us;
May they continue to lead in strong and gentle ways.
We remember fathers around the world
whose children are lost or suffering;
May they know that the God of compassion
walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers
but still mentor and guide us
with fatherly love and advice.
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Childhood of Christ
by
Honthorst, Gerrit van. 1590-1656
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We remember fathers, grandfathers,
and great-grandfathers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory
and nourish us with their love.
Amen.
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June 9, 2019
Pentecost Sunday
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On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
Read Complete Gospel
JN 20:19-23
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June 16, 2019
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
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Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears,and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Read Complete Gospel
JN 16:12-15
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June 23, 2019
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
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[Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,
and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close,
the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."
Read Complete Gospel
LK 9:11B-17
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June 24, 2019
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
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When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"
and all were amazed.
Read Complete Gospel
LK 1:57-66, 80
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June 28, 2019
Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
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Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."
Read Complete Gospel
LK 15:3-7
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June 29, 2019
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
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Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and, when they had finished breakfast, said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
He then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him,
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Read Complete Gospel
JN 21:15-19
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2018-19 Respect Life Program Article
Another Look at Contraception
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Advocates of contraception claim it doesn't cause abortions. However, that claim rests on an inaccurate redefinition of "pregnancy" as beginning only after an embryo successfully implants in the mother's uterus. This, then, excludes from the meaning of abortion all pills and devices that cause the death of an embryo before implantation. Yet it's scientifically indisputable that a new human life begins when an embryo first forms at fertilization—6 to 8 days before implantation.
Physicians' textbooks and handbooks reveal that some types of contraception sometimes work by preventing a living, developing, embryonic baby from reaching the uterus and successfully implanting, which results in his or her death.1 -
Read more
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To some, the Catholic Church's consistent teaching against birth control may seem outdated. Yet with each passing year, evidence of contraception's negative consequences keeps piling up, revealing profound repercussions on women, children, families, and society.
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Project Rachel
Hope After Abortion
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Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss? Project Rachel is a ministry about finding hope and healing after abortion.
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)
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An Evening of Prayer for Men Suffering
Abortion Loss
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Please register by Monday, June 17, 2019
All reservations and information will remain confidential.
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Upcoming Opportunity for Prayer and Healing
Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Please register by Monday, November 4, 2019
All reservations and information will remain confidential.
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Diocesan Pregnancy Support
If you or someone you know of is pregnant, and in need of support, Catholic Charities and Catholic Health Services, can provide assistance.
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Gianna Center of
Long Island
Women's Health & Fertility
Comprehensive, Cooperative: A Unique New Approach to Women's Health and Wellness
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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.
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If you or someone you know of is pregnant Catholic Charities and Catholic Health Services, can provide assistance please contact
1 (855) 301-4CHS or visit
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Gabriel's Courage
Catholic Health Services
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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.
Read more
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Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
Mother’s Circle of Hope Support Group
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Coping With Depression or Anxiety During Pregnancy or After the Birth of Your Baby? Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is proud to offer to the local community a support group.
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1st
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
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I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. JN 16:28
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3rd
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
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If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
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5th
Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
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Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
JN 17:17B, 17A
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This volunteer training builds a foundation for understanding the general principles of ministering to the sick.
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10th
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
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O happy Virgin, you gave birth to the Lord; O blessed mother of the Church, you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.
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11th
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
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Let your light shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
MT 5:16
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13th
Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
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I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
JN 13:34
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Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
CF. RV 1:8
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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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Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
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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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