Issue 61
April 2016
In this issue: 


The Diocese of Rockville Centre's Respect Life Office held its annual Youth Awards Ceremony to honor participants in the Respect Life Contest at St. John the Baptist High School on March 16. Students from across Long Island in grades 7-8 (Level One) and grades 9-12 (Level Two) created entries  on the theme "Every Life is Worth Living!"

Photo-montage Finalist Level I
Bookmark Finalist Level II

View contest winners and finalists on our website
mainPraying for Life: April 2016

Intercession
May all who suffer after abortion receive peace through Christ's Sacred Heart. 

Prayers
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection
Recalling our sins, we may feel discouraged and fearful of approaching God. However, we can cling to the truth that Christ's Passion on the Cross did not end in death, but in the joy of the Resurrection. The power of the Resurrection gives us the courage to face our sins, confess our mistakes, and then humbly receive God's forgiveness and accept the joy that comes with new life in Christ.
 
As we celebrate the Sunday of Divine Mercy this weekend and continue our journey through this Easter season, let us reflect upon the profound and transformative gift of God's mercy in our lives. May the infinite depth and breadth of Christ's Divine Mercy remind us that no wound is too great for God to heal. 

Acts of Reparation (choose one)
  • Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for all who suffer after abortion-that they may experience peace through Christ's Sacred Heart. (See additional information  on Divine Mercy.)
  • Reflect on the Mass readings for the Sunday of Divine Mercy. How is God speaking to you?
  • Encounter Christ's ready forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and then continue to place your trust in God's mercy with this short prayer.
One Step Further

If a friend confided that she had an abortion, would you be able to respond in a way that brings her closer to healing?"How to Talk to a Friend Who's Had an Abortion" gives suggestions for how you can be a channel of God's mercy.
Project Rachel Hope After Abortion 


I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion... do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope...the Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation."  (Evangelium Vitae no. 99, John Paul II)

Project Rachel Hope After Abortion website or call the Respect Life Office's confidential hotline: 1-888-456-HOPE (se habla espanol) to begin healing after abortion loss.

Post-Abortion Retreats  retreat


Prayer and Healing Retreats, help those suffering the effects of abortion. We offer a safe place, a way out of the pain, in a non-judgmental atmosphere. All retreats are led by the Sisters of Life and women who have experienced both the suffering of abortion and the joy of healing in Christ. 

For more information visit our website
Entering Canaan
DAYS OF PRAYER & HEALING
for women

Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016 
(Long Island)
Saturday, October 29, 2016 
(Long Island)


Entering Canaan
DAY OF PRAYER & HEALING
for Men

TBA

For more information or to register contact 

 Sisters of Life 
866.575.0075 (toll free) [email protected]

or 
 Theresa Bonopartis 
877.586.4621 (toll free) 

Entering Canaan 
DAY OF PRAYER & HEALING for Men 
Contact Lumina 
877.586.4621 (toll free) 

main2Cardinal Dolan Calls New FDA Abortion Drug Guidelines 'Irresponsible,' Offers Assistance to Pregnant Women

April 1, 2016

WASHINGTON-Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York and chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities responded to new guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the abortion drug, RU-486.

"The FDA has irresponsibly loosened its guidelines for the dangerous abortion drug RU-486 expanding its use an additional three weeks into pregnancy, and allowing provision by non-physicians," he said. "The unofficial, off-label use of RU-486 is now the new normal, paving the way for the destruction of even more innocent lives, and putting women and girls at risk for all the life-changing effects of abortion."

"Far from wanting abortion to be 'rare', abortion advocates are celebrating this expanded use as opening an ever-widening door to abortion. They are equally celebrating the FDA's neglect of women's health. Women have died from this drug, and many who used it after 8 weeks of pregnancy ended up returning for surgical abortions. This anguish, too, will now be visited on more women," Cardinal Dolan said.

He concluded with an offer of assistance to women: "Any woman who finds herself pregnant may come to Catholic agencies for non-judgmental, caring assistance. Catholic Charities, pregnancy help centers, and many parishes stand at the ready to assist those in need."
Amoris Laetitia - The Joy of Love

WASHINGTON-Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia,  on love in the family. Pope Francis' "love letter to families" invites everyone to grow as members of the family of God.

More Information
LifeIssues
LIFE ISSUES FORUM
Building Up Life through Encounter  
March 25, 2016 | En Espa�ol
By Kimberly Baker

Life too often moves at a breakneck pace. Technology is always at our fingertips to help us achieve more and do more-and with greater speed. When this continuous, fast-paced lifestyle overwhelms us, we risk losing our human touch with others. In contrast, Pope Francis often speaks of creating a "culture of encounter," which not only transforms the way we live in the world, but also beautifully affirms and facilitates a culture of life: 

To be called by Jesus, to be called to evangelize, and third: to be called to promote the culture of encounter. In many places ... the culture of exclusion, of rejection, is spreading. There is no place for the elderly or for the unwanted child; there is no time for that poor person in the street. At times, it seems that for some people, human relations are regulated by two modern "dogmas": efficiency and pragmatism.... Have the courage to go against the tide of this culture of efficiency, this culture of waste. (World Youth Day Homily, July 27, 2013) 

In both our work and personal lives, we can promote a culture of encounter. Read More
assistConference Provides Education for Opposing Assisted Suicide
Part 1
Part 2

The Diocese of Rockville Centre recently held an educational conference on  Opposition to Assisted Suicide designed to educate diocesan leadership on the moral, medical, legal and legislative dangers of physician-assisted suicide. Newly proposed legislation on assisted suicide has  been introduced in the New York State Legislature. This two-part Telecare special includes highlights from the conference.
For  more information on the Opposition to Assisted Suicide visit our website.
Bereavement Conference 2016
Experiencing Merciful Love in Times of Pain
For the Bereaved and those Ministering to Them

Saturday, April 23, 2016
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Kellenberg Memorial High School
Uniondale, NY 11553

Workshops will include topics on
Finding Forgiveness in Time of Grief | Finding Comfort in Scripture | Management of Perinatal Loss Anticipatory Grief | Bereavement Group Facilitation Dealing with Loss Due to Suicide | and more

For questions or more information contact
Deacon Darrell Buono - Associate Director of Marriage & Family Ministry 
[email protected] | 516-678-5800 x200


Let us come together to support Life as the first March for Life comes to Long Island, New York.


Date: April 30, 2016 at 11:30 am
Address: Bald Hill Amphitheatre Farmingville, NY (Directions)
Schedule: Meeting at Brookhaven hall at 11:30 am; then we will begin marching to the Bald Hill Amphitheatre for a MAJOR RALLY!
Contact: Pastor Joni Lupis, Director, March for Life NY, 631-681-7275 |[email protected]
SAVE THE DATE! The Culture Project is Coming to the Dioceseevent2

The missionaries are available to present inspiring talks on Human Dignity and Chastity to programs and schools in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
For Religious Education Programs, High Schools, Youth Ministry, College Campuses, Parish Communities, Ministries and Catholic Schools.

The Culture Project International is an initiative of young people set out to restore culture through the experience of virtue. Members of the team enter into a program where they live and pray in community, receive formation and are sent out on mission nationally and internationally, giving presentations to youth about dignity and sexual integrity.

We are anticipating the Culture project will provide Parent Sessions this year along with their presentations on human dignity and sexual integrity for Students and Catechistis.

When: October 1 - October 15, 2016 more information to follow.
Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
Merciful Like the Father -  December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016


As we continue into this Year of Mercy, let us show to others the mercy that God has shown on us so that o
ur actions can authentically reflect God's mercy.
Below are a  few different ways that you can live out that mercy every day!
For more information visit USCCB or Jubilee of Mercy Website  



Suggested New Year Spring Reading 
From The Respect Life Office 

As we await the spring season, pick up a great book with our  recommended list for spring reading.  View List

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDARcal
APRILMAY
WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDAword

Word of Life - English                            
                                  
 
Including a Prayer for a Mother Before Childbirth and Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for an Expectant Mother 
Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin.   
BULLETIN INSERTS - FOR PARISH RESPECT LIFEinserts
Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
DEUS CARITAS EST ...  GOD IS LOVE
Allison O'Brien, Director
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty, CSJ Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
______________________________________

Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
Lea Green, Respect Life Office Intern
CONTACT US
RESPECT LIFE OFFICE
50 North Park Ave.
F: (516) 536-3473
Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
P: (516) 678-5800
Exts.626 & 381
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE! 
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