|
|
By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Genesis 3:19 (NABRE)
|
|
Lent 2017
"The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift"
P
OPE FRANCIS
|
 |
|
Dear Friends:
Lent 2017 is a time for us to pray for dramatic missionary growth in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Part of that dramatic missionary growth is stimulated by our willingness to invite our inactive Catholic friends back to Mass. I put it this way in my Installation Mass homily on January 31: I appeal on this day of my Installation as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre to every inactive Catholic in the Diocese to come back to the power of the Word of God, the power of the Sacrament of Penance, and the power of the Catholic Mass.
I am so very sorry if you have been hurt or disappointed by the Church in any way and we stand here today to support you, to love you and to listen to you. In turn, I am asking every active Catholic of every age in the Diocese of Rockville Centre between January 31'1 and Ash Wednesday (which is March 1, 2017) to invite one inactive Catholic friend or family to come with you to Mass and to gently, humbly, compassionately, non-judgmentally witness to the beauty of your intimacy with Christ and your love for the mission of the Catholic Church and how it has enriched and inspired your life.
The power of these gentle and compassionate invitations is enormous. They always plant a seed of grace. And
now's the time to make these invitations. Let's all do it together and realize that it is the kindest thing any of
|
|
|
|
Message Of His Holiness Pope Francis For Lent 2017
|
|
|
|
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ's victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God "with all their hearts" (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive (cf.
Homily, 8 January 2016).
Lent is a favourable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply. I would now like to consider the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (cf. Lk 16:19-31). Let us find inspiration in this meaningful story, for it provides a key to understanding what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life. It exhorts us to sincere conversion.
Read More
|
|
Lent 2017 Resources
For you to view, watch or download
|
|
|
Date: March 22, 2017
Place: Holy Trinity D. High School - Auditorium
98 Cherry Ln, Hicksville, NY 1180 (map)
Time:7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Respect Life Office annual contest seeks to provide students the opportunity to reflect upon respect for life as a vital foundational part of the faith. We hope that all participants use this annual event as a springboard to discuss and explore further their individual talents and communicate the message of our ministry on the sanctity and dignity of all human life.
Please come and join us as we recognize the talents and efforts of our youth.
|
|
|
|
|
Solemnity of the Patronage of Saint Joseph_ Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
|
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
Gospel from USCCB Daily Reading
|
|
|
|
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
March 25, 2017
|
|
|
|
Annunciation by Bartolome Esteban Murillo
|
|
|
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
|
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
|
|
|
|
RESPECT LIFE PROGRAM ARTICLE
|
|
Accompanying Expectant Mothers
25 years ago I gave birth to a baby boy and ... lovingly placed him into the waiting arms of his parents. ...I pray that his life has been full of joy, laughter, and abundant love. My thoughts and prayers also turn to my beautiful family and friends that lifted me up then and now. - Maya*
Maya discovered she was pregnant six months into her freshman year of college. When her son was born, she placed him with a very kind adoptive family; she "just knew they were the right choice." Now, years later, Maya emphasizes the importance of offering ongoing support to expectant mothers considering adoption. Would you know how to do so? Maya makes the following suggestions.
- Let compassion guide your actions-always.
Consider whether your words and actions consistently convey understanding, compassion, and empathy. Would a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy know she could turn to you? If you are a parent, consistently reinforce to your children that you love them unconditionally and they can come to you with anything.
- Do not pit adoption against abortion.
As Cardinal O'Malley once noted while chair of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, to a pregnant woman in crisis, adoption is often seen as worse than either raising or aborting an unexpected baby. Placing a child for adoption is "perceived as a kind of double death. First, the death of self by carrying the baby to term," and second, "the death of the child thru 'abandonment.'" Be aware that "studies suggest that in pitting adoption against abortion, adoption will be the hands-down loser."1 So first focus on encouraging her that she can carry this baby to term. Read more
|
|
|
LIFE ISSUES FORUM
|
|
|
Dusty Hope
By Deirdre A. McQuade
"Remember: You are dust, and to dust you shall return."
As a cradle Catholic, I heard this refrain nearly every year upon receiving ashes on my forehead. Other years, the gesture was paired with: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel." Both lines puzzled me, honestly. The one about dust seemed so final, almost devoid of hope, while the second appeared to air-brush over the reality of death, as if leaving "dust" out of it could avoid causing us discomfort.
As with so many things in our Catholic life, these lines must be taken together in fruitful tension, not isolation. In his
1996 Ash Wednesday homily, St. John Paul II preached: "We are called to take part in the Resurrection of Christ. For this appeal to resound within us with all its force at the beginning of the Lenten season, let us realize what death means... 'You are dust' ... 'Repent!... Believe in the Gospel'!"
But what does that mean in practice?
A woman who recently suffered a miscarriage offers one window into these mysteries. In her honest and courageous piece, "
After My Miscarriage, I was Surrounded by the Culture of Death," author Anna O'Neil reflects on fundamentally different reactions to their family's loss. "My well-meaning doctors and caretakers thought that the most comforting thing would be to deny the reality of the death, or deny that every death is cause for weeping," she wrote, "I know differently, though. I know that death is always reason for weeping."
Read more
|
|
|
|
|
Action Alert: Urge Senators to Disapprove Planned Parenthood Title X Funding Rule
We have an opportunity to encourage the Senate to restore the states' ability to stop some of the federal funding to Planned Parenthood.
|
New legislation has been introduced in the State Assembly that would increase late-term abortions in the state, empower non-doctors to perform abortions.
|
|
Urge Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act of 2017!
Now is the time to contact Congress and advocate for the protection of life and freedom of conscience.
|
Take Action on Oppose
Doctor-Assisted Suicide
Legislation to legalize doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill has now been introduced for the 2017-2018 Legislative Session. Please let your Senate and Assembly representatives know that you strongly oppose this dangerous proposal.
Read More
|
|
|
|
|
Blog:
Become A Shepherd & Help Stop
Human Trafficking
How I wish that all of us would hear God's cry: 'Where is your brother?' (Gen. 4:9). Where is your brother or sister who is enslaved? Where is the brother and sister whom you are killing each day in clandestine warehouses, in rings of prostitution, in children used for begging, in exploiting undocumented labor? Let us not look the other way." - Pope Francis, Evangelli Gaudium
Learn about human trafficking from a Catholic perspective, equip yourself with the educational tools to raise awareness of human trafficking in parishes, schools, other social networks, or to learn about the SHEPHERD program visit the
usccb.org.
|
|
|
Respect Life Website Donation Page
Join our Mission to Serve Life!
The Respect Life Office enunciates and promotes the principle that human life, at all stages from conception to natural death, is a gift from God, worthy of respect and protection. You can now make an online donation to the Respect Life Office.
|
|
Gianna of Long Island
Center for Women's Health & Fertility
Comprehensive, Cooperative: A Unique New Approach to Women's Health and Wellness
|
|
|
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. While we are successfully able to address male infertility as well, we are uniquely qualified to care for women of all ages and at all stages of life.
Named after
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the Gianna of Long Island Center for Women's Health & Fertility is pleased to feature two unique women's health services-the
Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System and NaProTECHNOLOGY™, both of which allow us to provide women with a natural, restorative, scientifically-based approach to improving health and respecting fertility.
|
|
|
CHS's Gianna Center and Pregnancy Support Website
Catholic Health Services (CHS) now offers a dedicated, interactive website section for the Gianna Center and its pregnancy support services. The Gianna Center based at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center offers highly specialized restorative reproductive medicine in accordance with Catholic teaching, under the medical direction of Paul Carpentier, MD, CFCMC. Also, assistance is available for anyone with unexpected or crisis pregnancy through a one-call outreach program connecting to community resources.
The confidential, dedicated telephone number for this program is
1 (855) 301-4CHS
, supported by the availability of multilingual interpretive services. Anyone of any faith may call or refer to this support line, including representatives of parishes, colleges and crisis pregnancy centers, to facilitate safe, nonjudgmental companioning for women and couples in a crisis pregnancy. To speak to someone about pregnancy options immediately between 7:00 pm and 7:30 am Monday to Friday or on the weekend, please call
1 (800) 712-HELP (4357).
|
|
Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss, their is hope and healing after abortion.
|
The Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
is an opportunity to experience the loving
mercy of God in a safe and sacred space.
Sunday, March 5, 2017 Eastern Long Island Location
|
|
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.
|
Entering Canaan Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
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
Sunday, March 5, 2017
(Eastern Long Island Location)
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
|
For more information or to register contact
Sisters of Life
or
Theresa Bonopartis
877.586.4621 (toll free)
|
|
Entering Canaan
DAY OF PRAYER & HEALING
|
UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
|
|
1
|
Ash Wednesday
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. SEE PS 95:8
(NABRE)
|
20
|
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord;
they never cease to praise you. PS 84:5 (NABRE)
|
|
|
|
25
|
Please come and join us as we recognize the talents and efforts of our youth.
|
|
6
|
RCIA Level I | Taller para Nuevos Catequistas
For individuals wishing to be members of an RCIA team in a parish. Ven y participa junto con otros catequistas en este taller de 10 horas
|
25
|
|
|
12
|
Second Sunday of Lent
|
25
|
|
|
19
|
Third Sunday of Lent
Lord, you are truly the Savior of the word;
give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
CF. JN 4:42, 15
(NABRE)
|
26
|
Fourth Sunday of Lent
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
JN 8:12
(NABRE)
|
|
|
LOCAL RESPECT LIFE EVENTS
|
Nassau
County Chapter Knights Of Columbus
In
Conjunction With Nassau Knights For Life, Inc.
FIRST ANNUAL MASS COMMEMORATING
THE DAY OF THE UNBORN!
12 NOON MASS
AT
HOLY FAMILY R.C. CHURCH
17 FORDHAM AVENUE,
HICKSVILLE N.Y. 11801
MASS BEING OFFERED IN HONOR OF THE DAY OF THE UNBORN!
RESERVATIONS:
KEITH WILSON, CHAPTER PRO-LIFE CHAIRMAN
516-633-1435
|
WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA
|
|
Please include these in your Sunday Bulletin. |
|
BULLETIN INSERTS - FOR PARISH RESPECT LIFE
|
|
Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEUS CARITAS EST
... GOD IS LOVE
|
Allison O'Brien, Director
Patricia Fox,
Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator
S. Elizabeth A. Geraghty
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant
______________________________________
Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
|
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!
|
|
|
