News from Respect Life

The Respect Life Youth Contest welcomed over 800 students, parents, teachers, clergy and guests at St. John the Baptist High School on March 22, 2012. 173 finalists recieved certificates and 38 winners collectively won over $9000.00 in cash scholarship awards. Please see the 2012 Respect Life Contest Winners

Please also join us on April 26th, 2012 at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception for an inspiring preview presentation of chastity and respect life by,

The Generation Life Team is promoting a culture of life among peers their age. Please Register Here for the preview and More Information

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), called for a NATIONWIDE PRAYER EFFORT to support the ongoing struggle to protect religious freedom and conscience rights from various threats, including the coercive HHS contraception/sterilization mandate.

"Most importantly of all, we call upon the Catholic faithful, and all people of faith, throughout our country to join us in prayer and penance for our leaders and for the restoration of our First Freedom-religious liberty-which is not only protected in the laws and customs of our great Nation, but rooted in the teachings of our great Tradition. Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength-for without God, we can do nothing; but with God, all things are possible."

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The bishops have noted with gratitude the great support from the laity and the spontaneous outpouring of prayer from so many parishes, organizations, associations, and individuals. The bishops seek to encourage that effort with new prayer resources found in the link below.

New Prayer Resources For Religious Liberty.

Post Abortion Healing

Are you or anyone you know of suffering from abortion loss? Project Rachel is the offical outreach of the Catholic Church on post abortion healing. Project Rachel is a network of specially trained compassionate caregivers including counselors and clergy who are prepared to assist those who suffer from abortion loss. By calling the confidential phone line 1 888 456 HOPE (4673) one can begin hope and healing after abortion loss. Please view the PROJECT RACHEL VIDEO. For more information on abortion loss please go to hopeafterabortion.com.

The New York Certificate of Still Birth Law became effective on March 21, 2012 BUFFALO, N.Y. - March 21, 2012 was a day that bereaved parents throughout New York State had long been awaiting. After fighting for nearly a decade to secure state recognition for the children they lost to stillbirth, New York families finally got the State Legislature to pass a bill to create the Certificate of Still Birth .The law takes effect retroactively, so parents who have lost children to still birth in the past are eligible to secure a Certificate of Still Birth. Applications are available online at http://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-5056.pdf.

Bishops Continue Fight Against Coercive HHS Mandate

United For Religious Freedom March 14, 2012
The bishops on the USCCB's Administrative Committee thank "all who have stood firmly with us in our vigorous opposition to this unjust and illegal mandate", clarify what the mandate is and is not about, and call for a nationwide prayer campaign to restore conscience rights and religious freedom. MORE

What War on Women?

March 21, 2012

By KATHLEEN M. GALLAGHER

New York State Catholic Conference Pro-Life Activities Director

I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of hearing about the Catholic Church's supposed "war against women." The political uproar over the president's contraception insurance requirement has once again created headlines screaming that women are under attack. And while the Democrats level the accusation against the Republicans, many are blaming the Catholic Church. Perhaps the most hurtful and insulting charges come from the National Organization for Women (NOW), which recently alleged that the Church doesn't care if women get hurt, and called our Catholic Bishops' Conference "violently anti-women." MORE

Word of Life (Eng.) Palabra de Vida

Liturgical Prayers for Life - Including a

Prayer for a Mother Before Childbirth and

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for an Expectant Mother

NEW "Blessing for a Child in the womb"

Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin.

Sincerely in Christ,

DEUS CARITAS EST .... GOD IS LOVE

Wishing you many blessings,

Allison O'Brien, Director

Elizabeth A. Geraghty CSJ ,Project Rachel Ministry

Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant