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During this joyous season, it is good to reflect on how God’s infinite love for us is manifested in its fullness in the Crucifixion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in this, Easter so distinctively highlights the primary source of our true human dignity: we are created in the Image of God and made for eternal communion with Him. Even when humankind had fallen, God sent His Son to redeem us—because He loves us so much, because He wants us in Heaven to share in His eternal glory! God is Love, and in a way unlike any other creature, we are made in His Image, to love, for Love. Therefore, this innate human dignity is very special and indeed, inviolable—that is, sacred, immeasurably precious, and inalienable.

But others see human dignity in a different light: a secular perspective in which dignity corresponds directly to observable, even measurable, traits or qualities. Very often, dignity is used as a synonym for functional independence and autonomy, placing an existential premium on the ability to care for and make decisions for oneself. This, however, is in complete contradistinction to the dignity we understand from a Christian perspective, because the secular type of dignity is one that can be degraded, one that can be lost, and one that can be assigned by others (including the State) to determine one’s value, even one’s worthiness to live. Read more

We have launched our new website. We hope it will become a valuable tool for you on matters of human life, family, and bioethics with information on upcoming events, important materials on various life issues, links to Church documents, archives of our newsletters, pregnancy support resources, etc.

May our words and actions give life, no matter what the cost or how great the sacrifice.

“Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.” These words were spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr. and quoted many times as the civil rights movement he was a key part of sought an end to prejudice and persecution of black people in our nation. In the Gospel, (John 8:31-42), Jesus speaks these words: “If the Son frees you then you will truly be free.” He is speaking these words to those who oppose Him and are trying to get rid of Him. It is literally impossible to be truly free without faith in Jesus and love for Him. Read more

Making Sense of Bioethics Column #189 for March, 2021

A priest recently mentioned to me that he was not planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine. He told me he was concerned that RNA vaccines could alter our DNA and he heard there were also risks to fertility.

I replied that those particular concerns were unsubstantiated, and not scientifically correct, and encouraged him to be vigilant about various forms of misinformation, including “Catholic” misinformation that can spread rapidly on social media.

In a January 2021 article in Crisis Magazine, for example, AnnaMaria Cardinalli repeats several errors regarding a cell line widely used in vaccine production and research. Her comments appear to be based on a problematic LifeSite News interview by John Henry Westen with former graduate student Pamela Acker:

“Acker speaks about her research into the HEK-293 cell line specifically and talks about the number that’s at the end of that cell line name. ‘HEK’ stands for Human Embryonic Kidney and the ‘293’ actually reveals the number of experiments that a specific researcher did to develop that cell line. ‘It doesn’t mean there were two hundred and ninety-three abortions, but for two hundred and ninety-three experiments, you would certainly need far more than one abortion. We are talking probably hundreds of abortions,’ Acker shares.”

 Read more

Message from Shawn Carney, President of 40 Days for Life:

The most pro-abortion government in U.S. history just launched three direct attacks on abortion vulnerable moms and babies:

These decisions are a disaster for women and children. I break them down on today's video blog.

Dear Friends in Christ,

This year’s 40 Days for Life campaign in Smithtown was impacted by the ongoing socio-political turmoil and uncertainty as was the entire world.

But Our Lord is faithful and so are our volunteers! To everyone who participated on site or elsewhere: THANK YOU!

National March for Life Day, Friday, Jan. 29th – Dozens of volunteers endured temperatures in the mid-teens to pray for the babies at risk for abortion, and those who had died at the vigil site in the morning and early afternoon. Another group arrived at the Hour of Mercy, 3:00 pm, to pray. This day was actually prior to the beginning of the campaign but represented an opportunity to encourage new people.

Sunday, February 14th - About 130 Catholics participated in our 40 Days for Life opening Mass at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Smithtown. Monsignor Ellsworth Walden presided and gave an inspirational message during his homily. Signs and literature were handed out after the Mass.

On Saturday, March 27th, about 70 volunteers and parishioners attended our closing Holy Mass at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church in East Northport. Later at the vigil site, about 35 people prayed the Stations of the Cross for Life. Many arrived early or stayed later to continue their prayers.

On Sunday, March 28th, about 25 of our faithful volunteers prayed the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and other prayers at the vigil site from 6:00-7:00 pm for our Final Hour. We were especially pleased that Monsignor Walden, Father Abraham and five other religious joined us! Read more

The Gianna Center is a medical practice dedicated to empowering women with a restorative, scientifically based method for treating, monitoring, and maintaining their health.

Over the last year, we have worked closely with fertility educator Jamey Hutchinson, BSN CFCP CFCE, of the Gianna Center. Our goal is to collaborate on programs that promote the dignity of women’s health and fertility as God intended, to bring information to you through our newsletter and website, and to expand on resources available to our community.

We are so pleased to extend our collaboration to the founders of a local chapter of Students for Life America—two wonderful Stony Brook University students, Sonali George and Shyna Quadras. The energy they bring to our efforts is explosive! In this, we are proud to announce a three-part series on women’s health and fertility issues (healthy cycles, menstrual symptoms, and fertility apps/health monitoring) for April. We hope you will join this webinar and/or share this event information with young women you know. This knowledge is empowering not only for basic health but also for developing an understanding of the true gift of God’s design for the human body.

Project Rachel Hope After Abortion  website, call the DRVC Project Rachel 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

Lisa A. Honkanen, M.D. – Director

lhonkanen@drvc.org, 516-678-5800 Ext. 381

Donna Crean – Assistant Director/Project Rachel Coordinator

dcrean@drvc.org, 516 678 5800 Ext. 626

Jamey Hutchinson BSN CFCP CFCE Educational Liaison to

Gianna Center for Women's Health & Fertility

631-376-3232