Issue 96 | April 2019
+ PRAYER & WORSHIP
May the blessings of this holy season of Lent be with you!
As we continue to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to sacrifice self-control through fasting . Let us remember that as part of the Church must uphold the dignity of every human person. As Easter approaches, may we be strengthened by our hope in the Lord.
Lenten Resources 2019
St. Gianna Feast Day Mass
April 27, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre

Most Reverend John O. Barres
Bishop of Rockville Centre, presiding

Part of the liturgy will include a blessing in thanksgiving for those celebrating the gift of a child, those planning now or in the future for a child and those who are expecting a child.

RSVP by April 19, 2019
April Pray for Life
April's topic focuses on healing after abortion. Consider using the printable version ( English | Spanish ) and/or graphic ( English | Spanish ) for your bulletins, newsletters, websites, or social media platforms.
+   ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
Information on Abortion Expansion Legislation (Reproductive Health Act)
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
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.
Abortion Expansion Legislation (Reproductive Health Act) Analysis of the Bill

View a a full analysis of the Abortion Expansion Legislation
(Reproductive Health Act)
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.
New Yorkers for Life

NewYorkersForLife.org Do you know what Gov. Andrew Cuomo's late-term abortion law does, and more importantly, what you can do about it now? Find out in this video piece! #prolife #abortion

Read more
www.facebook.com
Chairman of US Bishops Pro Life Committee Issues Statement on Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
April 2, 2019

WASHINGTON–Today, U.S. Representative Steve Scalise is filing a discharge petition to force a vote on Representative Ann Wagner’s bill, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. If the petition receives 218 signatures, House members will vote on legislation ensuring that any child born alive following an abortion attempt receives the same degree of care as would be given to another child born at the same gestational age..  Read More.
TAKE ACTION ON NEW LEGISLATION
Take action on public policy matters in New York State through the New York State Catholic Conference's Catholic Action Network (CAN) .
See below for a list of current issues for you to learn more and to take action.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Take action on legislative issues through the The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA)
+ CARE AND SERVICES
POST-ABORTION MINISTRY
Project Rachel
Hope After Abortion
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) 
1-516-766 2538, email   projectrachel@drvc.org  to begin healing after abortion loss. 

 En Español:   Esperanzaposaborto.org
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.
Divine Mercy Sunday
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.
Please contact: 1 (855) 301-4CHS or visit  chsli.org/pregnancy-support-services
Gianna Center of
Long Island
Women's Health & Fertility
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.
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 
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. Read more
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
Mother’s Circle of Hope Support Group
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.
+ EDUCATION
2018-19 Respect Life Youth Contest 
In the interest of respecting the privacy of students, students works and identifying information of winners will not be published on the Respect Life Office website or media.

Student winners have been announced to schools and parishes and winning submissions will be mailed back to the principal and pastor of each school and parish to celebrate.

Invitations will be sent by mail to student winners and families, as well as pastors, principals, DRE’s and teachers to attend the Diocesan Youth Awards.

All students who have entered will receive participation certificates which will also be mailed to pastors and principals.
Diocesan Youth Awards 11:00 am televised Mass, at
St. Agnes Cathedral
on
May 19, 2019. 

Following Mass will be the Youth Awards Reception at Msgr. Kelly Hall.
Ironically, the Motion Picture Association, by giving Unplanned an R Rating is acknowledging what something that many in our society attempt to deny. Namely, every abortion is a gruesome, tragic act of violence done both to the baby and mother. Another irony of the R rating is that a 16 year old girl cannot see this film without being accompanied by herparent, but in many states, but that same 16 year old can procure an abortion without her parents ever knowing. ---Archbishop Naumann. 

April 2019
Triduum
The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.

7th
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
14th
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Entry of Christ into Jerusalem (1320) by Pietro Lorenzetti
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 name.
PHIL 2:8-9
15th
Monday of Holy Week
Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our faults.
16th
Tuesday of Holy Week
Hail to you, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.
17th
Wednesday of Holy Week
Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors.
18th
Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Last Supper by San Esteban 
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you. JN 13:34
19th
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Crucifixion by Andrea Mantegna
They took the body of Jesus 
and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.
Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, 
and in the garden a new tomb
John 19:40
19th
Third Sunday of Lent
Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again. JN 4:42, 15
20th
Holy Saturday
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, 
bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened. Luke 24:12
21st
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord 
Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord. 1 COR 5:7B-8A
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. JN 8:12
28th
Second Sunday of Easter
(Or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe! JN 20:29
All scripture taken from the USCCB DailyReadings     http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
Public Pro Life Events
Good Friday Silent Vigil On Behalf Of Unborn Children
 
April 19, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Nassau University Medical Center
(2201 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow; on the public sidewalk)
 
Pro-life women, men and children are needed to take part in this peaceful vigil for the protection of life in the womb and against abortions committed at NUMC and throughout Long Island. We stand as a reminder that abortion is not healthcare. Signs provided (east end of hospital).
 
 Information: 631-243-1435; info@prolifeLI.org .
May 4th 2019, 2:30-4:30 pm

“Alive from New York” is a Focus on the Family event designed to celebrate the sanctity of human life; marvel at the wonder of human development in the womb; and encourage advocacy for women facing unplanned pregnancies and the preborn. The event will feature live music and inspirational speeches from special guests, as well as abortion survivors. The culminating moment of the event will be a live 4D ultrasound broadcast on massive digital screens in Times Square.
April 21 2019
The Resurrection of the Lord 
On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, 
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter 
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, 
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, 
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him, 
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, 
and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture 
that he had to rise from the dead.
Gospel JN 20:1-9

Gospel from USCCB Daily Reading | Painting Women at the empty tomb, by Fra Angelico, 1437–1446
We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence, and we are able share it with others
- Pope Francis
Easter Resources
WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA
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
Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
DEUS CARITAS EST ... GOD IS LOVE
Allison O'Brien, Director 
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator 
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant 
Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
Sr. Elizabeth A. Geraghty, Volunteer
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!