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Issue No. 33
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October 2013
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Greetings and Welcome to Respect Life Month!
"Open Your Hearts to Life" begins your Respect Life Month and the celebration of the gift of life! During this Year of Faith in Respect Life Month we can Belong More Deeply to God and each other in so many ways that effect our life and the lives of others including many we may not know or have not met yet.
Every life, every single life God has created, has inestimable value and must be respected at all phases of that human person's life. Together, we pray, advocate, educate, serve and care for life recognizing the great importance of our relationship and responsibility as a people of God and a loving people of faith. "One believes with the heart" (Rom 10:10) "In the bible, the heart is the core of the human person, where all his or her different dimensions intersect. If the heart is capable of holding all these dimensions together it is because it is where we become open to truth and love where we let them touch us and deeply transform us." Lumen Fidei
The Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities contains four major "pillars" that the Bishops have set forth as elements necessary for authentic Catholic pro-life efforts in the United States: *Public information and education, *Public Policy, *Pastoral Care and *Prayer. Our lives, our families, our friends, our neighbors, our state, our nation and our world all need God's care and providence to continue to live the life God has created for us all. Pray for Life, pray for all life, consider visiting Rosary and Adoration for Life at a parish near you this month!
Respect Life Concerns are issues where human life is threatened and in need of protection. Take Action on matters that effect human life and religious freedom. Help us to educate others and learn about Who we are. Consider joining a Respect Life Committee at a parish near you and advocate for Life!
"To be children of God, and brothers and sisters to one another: this is the heart of the Christian experience"
- Pope Francis |
My thoughts: The Theology of the Body
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty, CSJ
In light of what we are experiencing in the world today with regard to the disrespect of our sacredness, The Theology of the Body is a breath of fresh air opening our minds and hearts to consider God's plan on Creation.
It deepens our understanding of what it means to be male and female. The entire approach is centered on teachings found in the Old and New Testaments. This program is one of positive thinking and finding joy in living out our sexuality realizing what it means to be truly human.
As we progress in the understanding of what it means to be human, "holiness is what "permits man to express himself deeply with his own body precisely through the sincere gift of self. It is in his body as man or woman that man finds he is a subject of holiness.
Through Biblical references and the consideration of their meaning we are drawn into a deeper respect and understanding of our origin as created by God.
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 Persons with Disabilities
"Every human person-no matter how vulnerable or helpless, ... no matter how healthy, handicapped or sick, no matter how useful or productive for society-is a being of inestimable worth created in the image and likeness of God" (Bl. Pope John Paul II).
Persons with disabilities challenge us to be more fully human and compassionate, to recognize the presence of God in each human being.
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To the End of Our Days
"True 'compassion' leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear." (The Gospel of Life, no. 65).
The Church has always proclaimed the inherent value and dignity of life at every stage and condition. But today, rising healthcare costs and a growing cultural blindness to the sanctity of life are driving the promotion of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Read NYSCC (New York State Catholic Conference)
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 Spiritual Adoption program
The Purpose of the Spiritual Adoption Program is threefold:
- Encourage parishes, schools and other communities to pray for babies in danger of abortion.
- Educate adults and children about the development of the pre-born child.
- Provide mothers in need with assistance at a 'baby shower' of donated baby gifts, or simply celebrate with a 'birthday party' at the conclusion of the program. In some schools a crib was bought with monetary gifts and the children filled a crib with gifts for expectant Mothers.
This is done by encouraging people to "spiritually adopt" an unborn baby, and to follow their baby along the path to being born. (Read More)
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Please consider having Generation Life in your Parish/School/ High School/College.
Available dates left for your school, parish
or community are:
October 24, 25,26, 27, and 31
Suggested donation: $250
Generation Life is a movement of young people committed to building a Culture of Life by educating
our peers on the pro-life and chastity messages and developing new leaders for the pro-life movement.
We believe that by spreading the message of chastity,
we can end abortion at the root cause.Generation Life reaches thousands of students each year.
We offer educational programs for 7th - 12th grade students and college students.
To reserve a date, contact Ellen Zafonte
Should you have difficulty with the donation please let us
know and we will be happy to work with you.
Respect Life Office (516) 678-5800 Ext. 262
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Maternity Advent Project
Act of Kindness
"You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world. . . your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5: 13, 14, 16).
This campaign raises funds to support maternity residences in our diocese- especially 'Catholic Charities' Regina Maternity residence. The collection boxes and calendars are ready to assist in mindful giving. The set includes a box and calendar for Advent.
Please remember that these homes provide shelter, education, and care for young women and their children for up to two years. The economic requirements of this ministry are substantial and your active assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Download Flyer and Order Form
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40 Days for Life
Wednesday, September 25 to Sunday, November 3
For more information
Stand up for Life
Sunday, October 6, 2013, 2 to 3:30 PM
For more information contact:
Ann Cook (Huntington site) at 631-754-9141
Peter Bertran at 631-289-2095 (East end site)
Prodigal
A Men of the Cure of Ars Production
Tuesday, October 8, 2013 7:30 to 9:00 PM
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The Effects of Abortion on Men
Sunday, October 13, 2013 - Molloy College
For more information contact:
Jane Gilroy - (516) 379-5409
Generation Life
October 21 to November 1
Sign up at your local parish.
For more information contact:
Ellen Zafonte - Associate Director of Children and Youth
Maternity Advent Project
Annual donation to assist Maternity Homes in our Diocese
(Calendar & Order Form)
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DEUS CARITAS EST ... GOD IS LOVE
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Allison O'Brien, Director
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty, CSJ Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
______________________________________
Ashley Foster, Part Time Assistant
Haylee Greenwood, Respect Life Office Volunteer
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OUR OFFICE
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RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
50 North Park Ave.
Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
P: (516) 678-5800
F: (516) 536-3473
Exts.626 & 381
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CALENDAR
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October
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1
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Rosary & Adoration
for Life
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2
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5
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5
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Diversity of Sanctity
and the Unity of
Holiness" -
Lecture at Nassau
Community College
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6
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RESPECT LIFE
SUNDAY
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6
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8
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12
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19
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19
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28
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31
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November
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2
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15
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16
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2014
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for
and
grades 9-12 Level TWO.
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CATEGORIES
*poetry
*essay
*music
*video clip design
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Entry Deadline
Jan 27, 2014
Save the Date
Youth Awards Celebration
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The
2013 -2014
"Open Your Hearts To Life"
The 2013 - 2014
Features seven new articles on the challenges faced and foundations needed to build a culture of life, this year's title, "Open your hearts to life!," has been a favorite theme of Pope Francis.
His witness as a faithful advocate of the Gospel of Life is a beautiful gift to the Church, and is of particular importance today in the growing shadow of the culture of death
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Project Rachel
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Respect Life Awards 2012
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March for Life 2013
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The Respect Life Office has a variety of Life Issues DVDs and books to borrow. Please consider them for your parish or school and spread the word on Respect Life Issues
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Follow Us
Just another way for you to connect with us and get more information on Respect Life issues.
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