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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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Bishop John O. Barres Easter Letter 2019
As we celebrate Holy Week, the Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday and, indeed, the entire Easter season on Long Island, we remember the power of the Risen Christ so eloquently captured in the Resurrection narratives of the four Gospels.
Read more
respectlife.drvc.org
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At Easter the stones of sin, despair, are rolled away...
As individuals and as a church, it can be tempting to dwell on mistakes, failures and sins that block the fullness of life, but Easter is the proclamation that the Lord is victorious and his love will triumph, Pope Francis said.
Read more
respectlife.drvc.org
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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
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Women and families celebrated on feast day of St. Gianna
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Bishop John Barres celebrated the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday, April 27th, for the feast of Saint Gianna Molla at the Cathedral of St Agnes, Rockville Centre.
St. Gianna is the patron of mothers, physicians and unborn children. The liturgy included a blessing in thanksgiving for those celebrating, hoping for and expecting the gift of a child.
After Mass there was an opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Gianna, given to the Rockville Centre Diocese by St. Gianna’s daughter, also named Gianna Molla. A reception followed in the pastoral center with resources on fertility, pregnancy support, post-abortion ministry and other related areas.
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A Prayer for Mothers
All-loving God,
we give you thanks and praise
for mothers young and old.
We pray for young mothers,
who give life and count toes and tend to our every need;
May they be blessed with patience and tenderness
to care for their families and themselves with great joy.
We pray for our own mothers
who have nurtured and cared for us; May they continue to guide
in strong and gentle ways.
We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; May they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away.
We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion.
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The Virgin and Child (The Madonna of the Book)
by Sandro Botticelli (1480)
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We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great -grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory
and nourish us with their love.
Amen.
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May 30, 2019
The Ascension of the Lord
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Jesus said to his disciples:
"Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city
until you are clothed with power from on high."
Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They did him homage
and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.
Gospel LK 24:46-53
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The Ascension by Benjamin West, 1801
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May 31, 2019
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
Read Complete Gospel LK 1:39-56
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ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
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Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope
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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
Read More
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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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Born-Alive Legislation Deserves a Vote in the People's House
April 24, 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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TAKE ACTION ON NEW LEGISLATION
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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.
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- New: Further Action Needed to Save Babies Born Alive! - April 10, 2019
- MANY people are upset with the idea of babies being left alone to die after surviving an attempted abortion. If we make enough noise, this bill has a chance of being voted on in the House, and eventually becoming law. Read more.
- Contact your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose the Equality Act! - March 25, 2019 Congress will soon vote on H.R. 5, the Equality Act, sweeping legislation that would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the definition of sex throughout federal law.
- Support the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act: Contact your Representative & Senators today! The federal Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (H.R. 897 / S. 274) would prevent government discrimination against faith-based child welfare service providers, including adoption and foster care agencies.
- Contact your U.S. senators and representatives today and ask them to support the LIFT for Charities Act! The parking lot tax requires nonprofit organizations, including churches, to pay taxes on parking and transit benefits provided for their employees. Read more.
- Tell the Senate to reject religious tests for judicial nominees. Recent nominees to the federal judiciary have endured pointed questions about their faith during confirmation hearings.Religious tests are unconstitutional and unjust, and they are an attack on all people of faith.It is time for these discriminatory, anti-Catholic questions to stop. Contact your senators today!
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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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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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2018-19 Respect Life Youth Contest
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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 have been 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.
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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.
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3rd
Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
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I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
JN 14:6B, 9C
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Are you a public school teacher or a friend or family member is one, this morning is for you and for them. Your Catholic values, touches so many young lives as an educator.
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Facilitator training builds on the foundation for understanding the general principles of Bereavement Ministry.
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You formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 (NABRE)
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14th
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
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I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
JN 15:16
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Please join in celebration with
Bishop John O. Barres at the televised 11:00 AM Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.
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30th
The Ascension of the Lord
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Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.
MT 28:19A, 20B
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31st
Resurrection of the Lord Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
LK 1:39-56
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Cycle Power Summit – Live On-Line
WHAT IS CYCLE POWER SUMMIT?
Cycle Power Summit is a free, 4-day online conference (May 2-5, 2019) that brings together the largest gathering of people who are passionate about understanding women’s reproductive health and the freedom and power of fertility awareness for managing overall health.
Cycle Power Summit was created for you because cycle charting is not just a trendy tool to know your body. It’s a way of life. It’s a vital sign. It’s freedom from the nasty side-effects of hormonal contraceptives. It’s a revolutionary way of naturally planning your family. It’s an empowering connection to your body. And it’s an essential medical diagnostic tool.
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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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Allison O'Brien, Director
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
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Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
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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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