Issue 101 | September 2019
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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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New USCCB Respect Life Program 2019-2020
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The annual Respect Life Program is a year-round, nationwide effort to help Catholics understand, value, and become engaged with building a culture that cherishes every human life.
This year’s theme, Christ Our Hope: In Every Season of Life, is particularly suited for the times in which we live. The attacks against human life seem to grow more numerous and callous by the day. Despite these challenges, we know that Christ has conquered sin and death once and for all. Through our Christian hope in the Resurrection, we are given the grace to persevere in faith. Our sacrifices on behalf of the Gospel of Life can contribute to the redemption of this current culture of death.
Read more
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Order materials from the program
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ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
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USCCB Committee Chairmen Commend Administration for Actions Enforcing Conscience law on Abortion
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August 29, 2019
WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announced yesterday that it is taking corrective action against the University of Vermont Medical Center for forcing a nurse to participate in an elective abortion against the nurse’s beliefs, in violation of the federal Church amendment.
The Church amendment, enacted in 1973, prohibits recipients of various federal health program funding from forcing health care personnel to perform or participate in abortions against their religious beliefs or moral convictions. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, Chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty, issued the following statement in response to this enforcement action: “It is a grotesque violation of civil rights, and of federal law, to force someone to perform or participate in an abortion against their beliefs.
Read more
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Honoring Human Life and Dignity in the Face of Gun Violence
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Excerpts from Recent Statements of the US Catholic Bishops
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Addressing the Problem: “Move Toward Preventative Action”
“We can never again believe that mass shootings are an isolated exception. They are an epidemic against life that we must, in justice, face. God’s mercy and wisdom compel us to move toward preventative action. We encourage all Catholics to increased prayer and sacrifice for healing and the end of these shootings. We encourage Catholics to pray and raise their voices for needed changes to our national policy and national culture as well. . . The Conference [the USCCB] has long advocated for responsible gun laws and increased resources for addressing the root causes of violence. We also call upon the President and Congress to set aside political interests and find ways to better protect innocent life.”
—Joint Statement of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, USCCB president, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development (August 4, 2019). [Excerpt]
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See below for a list of current issues for you to learn more and to take action.
- 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.
- 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.
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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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You are invited to a wonderful opportunity for renewal, formation, and fellowship.
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September 9, 2019
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities
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St. Peter Claver was a Jesuit missionary from Spain who, in the 1600s, served and ministered to captured and enslaved Africans as they were taken off the slave ships landing in South America. St. Peter Claver
desired to offer his life as “a slave of the slaves.”
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Prayer for Peace in Our Communities
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Let us pray . . .
O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored.
You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer, and so we turn to you in our hour of need. Surrounded by violence and cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required . . .
“Only to do justice and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8).
Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be
merciful to others. Strip away pride, suspicion, and racism so that we may seek peace and justice in our
communities. Strengthen our hearts so that they beat only to the rhythm of your holy will.
Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly
toward a future filled with encounter and unity.
Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the
prompting of your grace can we progress toward virtue.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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September 14, 2019
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him. JN 3:13-17
Art: Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (icon from Yaroslavl by Gury Nikitin, 1680)
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September 21, 2019
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
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As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." MT 9:9-13
Art: The Calling of Saint Matthew-Caravaggo (1599-1600)
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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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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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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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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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An Evening of Prayer for Men Suffering
Abortion Loss
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Please register by Monday, November 11, 2019
All reservations and information will remain confidential.
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9th
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
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My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
JN 10:27
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13th
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
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Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.
JN 17:17B, 17A
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14th
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
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Join us for this wonderful opportunity of renewal, formation, and fellowship.
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20th
Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
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Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
MT 11:25
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21st
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
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We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
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This volunteer training builds a foundation for understanding the general principles of ministering to the sick.
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23rd
Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
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that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
MT 5:16
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27th
Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
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The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
MK 10:45
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30th
Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
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"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Full Gospel LK 9:46-50
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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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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE!
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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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