Issue No. 38
April 2014
The Resurrection Mural by Ron DiCianni
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... 
1 Peter 1:3 
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Click to visit site
The Respect Life Office is pleased to introduce the new office website respectlife.drvc.org

 

Greetings,

          

     Our Journey through lent and a difficult winter brings us together today at the threshold of the Joy of the Easter Season and the promise of new life in the hope of the resurrection. Each and every we day grow through prayer, faith, hope, love and respect, and we come to know and better understand who we are as human persons created by God. Knowing and understanding who we are in light of who Christ is helps us to live and make decisions based on our knowing and understanding. We are called to value and defend life as a gift from God especially when life is threatened or disrespected. Consider viewing the resources, programs, shared reflections, teachings, and shared expressions from all ages on Respect Life issues and concerns. Join us and share respect life issues with your parishes, schools and communities today.

 

-"Open your hearts to Life"

Pope Francis

 

Respect Life

 

 

The Winners are in
Youth Awards Celebration 2014
 

Thank you to all the participants, parents, teachers, judges and to everyone that 

made the night a success. 

 

 

 

To Our Chosen Child

 

 

You came into our lives, one bright September mom.

 

On the day God Our Father, chose for you to be born.

 

Though your skin is darker, than your sisters and your brothers.

 

You hold equal place within our hearts, along with all the others.

 

We vowed to love and guide you, through your childhood years.

 

And to hold you gently in our arms, and dry your childhood tears.

 

We try to do our very best, to teach you right from wrong.

 

To let you know that here with us, is where you do belong.

 

You've been loved and treasured, from the day that you first came.

 

We surely feel that we've been blessed, to have you use our name.

 

When you hear the word adopted, either in school or on the bus.

 

Please believe us when we tell you, we are glad you adopted us.

 

1st Place

   Holy Family School, Hicksville

 
View all Winners Enteries
 
 
Visit our website to see the list of  the winners' and their entries.


 

 
Click to View Calender
 
 Lent for Life: 

Give Up, Take Up, Lift Up!

 

We can all embrace lent by giving up material things, taking up charitable habits, and lifting up each other.

 

  

Five Ways to Continue Lent Participation 

 

1. Fast and abstain from meat on Fridays

2. Pray a daily rosary

3. Prayers of the Faithful at Mass (Spanish)

4. Monthly Holy Hour (Spanish)

 

 

 

 
 

                              Take Action

  

Urge the Senate to be Pro-Women, Pro-Life

In January the State Assembly passed Governor Cuomo's ten-point "Women's Equality Act" (A.8070) which includes a dangerous abortion expansion component. The issue now moves to the State Senate where, last year, the members rightly passed nine individual bills benefitting women, but rejected the abortion expansion bill.  Take Action
______________________________________________

Let's Be Pro-Women and Pro-Life!

Please continue to urge your Assembly representative to pass the nine individual bills to benefit women that were passed by the Senate in June. The Senate rightly refused to vote on the tenth bill of the "Women's Equality Agenda," the bill to expand abortion in our state.
 Take Action

 

 

LIFE ISSUES FORUM

Begin Again 

By Kimberly Baker

 

Espa�ol

 

Lent is a time of cleansing, of purifying - not in a painful sense, but in a refreshing way. Participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation washes away the "dirt" of our sin and opens our hearts to encounter God's mercy so we can start with a "clean slate." When we consider our pro-life witness, it is helpful to reflect on the renewing power of God's mercy in our lives and how that can affect others. 


God's mercy is extended to each person and has no limits, as long as we have true contrition. Whatever the circumstances, no matter how serious the sin - even something as serious as abortion - God wants to heal our hearts and make them whole again; he wants to fill us with his love.

Pope Francis provides such a simple witness of God's mercy through his words and actions. He says, "... God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy... With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew" (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 3). Read more 

 

Visit Sancti the official page of the upcoming canonization of Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II happening on April 27th.

 
The Joy of the Gospel
(Evangelii Gaudium)
 
 
The teaching of Pope Francis on the proclamation of the Gospel.

The 
2013 -2014
Respect Life Program  
"Open Your Hearts To Life" 

The 2013 - 2014 Respect Life Program 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.

View Video in English or Spanish  


MOTHER'S DAY 
 

  
 
GOOD FRIDAY SILENT VIGIL ON BEHALF OF UNBORN CHILDREN 
 
Long Island Coalition for Life Good Friday Silent Vigil on behalf of unborn children, April 18, 2014, 10:30am-Noon, in front of Nassau University Medical Center (2201 Hempstead Tpk. East Meadow). Pro-life women, men and children take part in this peaceful message for the protection of life in the womb and as a reminder that abortion is not health care. Signs provided. 
Info: 631-243-1435 or [email protected].
 
   

The New York State Right to Life Committee has scheduled their lobby day to take place on Wednesday, April 30 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. 

Please see flyer for details.

 
Post Abortion Ministry 
Workshops and Retreats

 

Many don't realize that post-traumatic stress is the untold story of abortion. There are literally millions of women and men who, too often silently and alone, suffer some of the most serious psychological and spiritual consequences of contemporary society's disregard for the sanctity of human life and the sacredness of human sexuality.


Those who join this caravan of faith find hope and confidence in the fact that regardless of how long their healing takes, regardless of the battles fought, won or lost, they have a community of people to whom they can turn in time of need.

Entering Canaan consists of:
* Beginning the Journey: Monthly Days of Prayer and Healing
* Fighting the Battles: Monthly Gatherings
* The Land of Milk and Honey: Hope and Healing Weekend Retreats

* Celebration: Special Gatherings


For more information contact: 

Sisters of Life Hope & Healing After Abortion

toll free: 866.575.0075
 
[email protected]
Or visit the website: sistersoflife.org

 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Long Island Coalition for Life
 Good Friday Silent Vigil on behalf of unborn children
April 18, 2014, 10:30am-Noon
Info: 631-243-1435 or [email protected]

  

The New York State Right to Life Committee  

Lobby for Life Day

 Wednesday, April 30  at 9:00 a.m.

View or download flyer 

 

  

 

  

Life Matters - All Year Long

 
English                                      Espa�ol
  

 

 WORD OF LIFE
  

Word of Life                                    Palabra de Vida 

 

                             English                                               Espa�ol     

                                  

Liturgical Prayers for Life  - Including a Prayer for a Mother Before Childbirth 

and Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for an Expectant Mother 

"Blessing for a Child in the Womb" to buy (click here)

Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin.  

 

 

 

 

DEUS CARITAS EST ...  GOD IS LOVE

 

 

 

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

 

    
  
OUR OFFICE
CONTACT US

 

RESPECT LIFE OFFICE

50 North Park Ave.

F: (516) 536-3473

Rockville Ctr., NY 11570

P: (516) 678-5800

Exts.626 & 381

 


CALENDAR


April

13
Passion  Sunday
17
Holy Thursday
18
Good Friday
19
Holy Saturday
20
Easter - He Has Risen!
24
Advanced Course: Celebrating Easter with the Resurrection Narratives

29

May

2

5
6
8
9
18
22
Engaging Children with Autism and Other Special Needs in Faith Formation
29

Quick Links
 
 
SideIcon

Project Rachel Video Graphic
Project Rachel

National Gianna Center Womens Health Fertility
National Gianna Center Womens Health Fertility

Open Your Hearts to Life!
Open Your Hearts to Life!

What to Expect When You're Expecting a Baby with Down Syndrome
What to Expect When You're Expecting a Baby with Down Syndrome
 
Life Matters: March for Life 2014
Life Matters: March for Life 2014

 
Click to view 

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