Summer Edition
July/August 2021
Visit our website www.drvclife.org
Highlights of this newsletter:
  • World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
  • National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week
  • News from our Office
Dear Friends for Life,

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY

Last month the intergenerational bonds within families and communities were highlighted in anticipation of the first annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which is this upcoming weekend. Since then, we have launched the www.catholicgenerations.com microsite which we hope you have had some time to peruse. Please check back frequently as we are still adding new content daily to make this a helpful resource beyond July 25. It has been a labor of love, to help visitors nurture and share the most important love of all: love for God and His Church. When we love God and order our lives to Him, then our mission is naturally fulfilled: to defend and protect the sanctity of life, to uphold the importance of family, and to develop an appreciation of moral law, because all is of His creation and perfect design.

NATIONAL NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING AWARENESS WEEK

July 25th is also the 53rd anniversary of Humanae Vitae which instructs on the profound responsibility regarding the transmission of human life. Husband and wife cooperate with God through the total self-giving of the marital embrace to beget a new, unrepeatable, human life with an immortal soul. In Humanae Vitae, Pope St. Paul VI explained how contraception separates irreparably the unitive and procreative purposes of marriage, interferes with the “language of the body,” and ultimately, rejects God’s plan for human sexuality. With prophetic accuracy, he outlined the dangers to which contraception would lead: infidelity, immorality, loss of respect (for women), contraceptive mandates and a misguided sense of bodily dominion.

And so, it is fitting that this anniversary day also marks the beginning of National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week (July 25-31, 2021). Natural Family Planning (NFP) is also referred to as Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FABM). These are scientifically-based methods that may be used to achieve or postpone pregnancy (when there is a serious reason for the latter). Unlike contraception, when used as intended, NFP methods are considered morally licit because they respect the sacredness of the conjugal act. They do not utilize devices or drugs to interfere with God’s plan for marital love and in their practice these methods always remain open to life because every marital act is considered a total giving and receiving of self, including fertility and its fruits.

At first glance, National NFP Awareness Week may seem unconnected with World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, but it is not. First, we see there is the intentional proximity of each event to the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne. Moreover, National NFP Awareness Week is a direct reminder that grandparents play an integral role not only as bearers of life and caretakers of the extended family, but also in passing on the faith—including the importance of chastity and the vocation of marriage. Grandparents (and other older persons) do this through their lived examples as well as conversations geared to the age, maturity and relationship with their younger audience. For those with access to FORMED, you can see an example here. Read more
The Wisdom of Grandparents and the Elderly
by Fr Michael Lombardi, St Patrick's
“I am so grateful for their wisdom, their strong work ethic and their sense of duty to God, country and family.”  

Today, as I celebrate my one-month anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, I am amazed at how quickly the time has flown by. The most immediate challenges to my new life as a priest are getting used to saying the Mass, the rhythm of the liturgical schedule, administering the sacraments and of course getting used to life in the rectory. Now that I am living and working in a house with three other men, it has been quite an adjustment to deal with various personalities, changing schedules, and personal idiosyncrasies. Yet, this is all part and parcel of living out my new priestly life. And so far, I am happy to report that life together in the rectory has been going quite smoothly, and I am enjoying my life as a priest.

One of the priests in our rectory, a senior priest in residence, has been a wonderful mentor to me in my short time here. He has been very patient and supportive. Moreover, he has had a very calming influence on me, as I continue to learn the ins and outs of the rectory and the rhythm of the daily schedule. I consider him almost as a grandfather figure in many ways. This is because he has many of the qualities that a grandparent possesses. He looks out for the associate priests, he takes care of a lot of the duties related to the house, he cooks dinner several nights a month, he does a lot of baking, he makes sure things are in good order, and he runs a sizable and very productive vegetable garden in the backyard. Read more
+ PRAYER
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Th. 5:17 
Feast Day of St Joachim and St Anne
The married couple traditionally honored as the parents of Mary, which makes them the grandparents of Jesus.

Grandparents and the Incarnation

How wonderful that Jesus has grandparents! St. Joachim and St. Anne remind us of the mystery of the Incarnation: God truly became man and entered into a human family that included not only his mother Mary and father Joseph but their parents, and their parents, and their parents, all the way back to Adam (and Eve) at the dawn of creation, according to St. Luke’s chronology (Luke 3:23-38). Like all of us, Jesus was born into a web of relationships, the “cradle of life and love” that is the family (John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, no. 40).   Read more
Pray
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflect
The feast of Saints Anne and Joachim is celebrated on July 26. As the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they were also the grandparents of Jesus. Although there isn’t much historically verifiable information about their story, what we gain from custom and tradition can provide inspiration. Tradition holds that Anne and Joachim struggled with infertility for much of their marriage and were barren for many years. It is thought by some that they were treated poorly by their neighbors and that their childlessness prevented them from fully participating in the life of the community. As the story goes, despite long years of grief, Anne and Joachim continued to place their trust in God. In depths of such sorrow, Joachim went into the wilderness to fast and pray for a child. During this time an angel appeared to both he and Anne, promising that they would give birth to a child, despite their old age, who would be known throughout the world.
 
Today, many married couples also bear the cross of infertility. They often feel deep grief at their inability to welcome a child into their family. Yet each coupleis called, like Anne and Joachim, to continue to place their trust in God and His plan for their family. We pray for all married couples who so deeply long to welcome a child into their home. May God hear their prayers, console their hearts, and guide them on the path of peace.

Act
(Choose one.)
  • Offer a novena of Faith and Perseverance to Saints Anne and Joachim for this month’s intention. (We recommend praying the novena from July 17–25 in preparation for their feast day.)
  • Fast from television, social media, music, or electronics altogether for one day. Ask the Lord to use the quiet and stillness to bring you closer to Him.
+ EDUCATION
“Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” Tit. 1:9
A Bit of Bioethics
Challenging the Establishment on Childhood Gender Transitions
TAKE ACTION 
Take action on legislative issues through the No Taxpayer Abortion Website

Take action on public policy matters in New York State through the New York State Catholic Conference's Catholic Action Network (CAN) .
See below for a list of current issues for you to learn more and to take action.
+ WITNESS 
“All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col. 3:17  
Life Runners
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out on the Fourth of July to kick-start the Eastern leg of the LifeRunners A-Cross America Relay by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge as a peaceful and prayerful witness to the Unborn.

The day started with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James, where Father Patterson's homily spoke of "going out of our comfort zone" to find and follow our "inner guidance system" or "awakening of our inner prophet", driven by the Holy Spirit.

(We even had a fellow LifeRunner from Philadelphia (Deb M.) use her "inner guidance system" (and GPS) to drive up that morning to join us in holy witness!)
In fact, the readings for that Sunday seemed to be preparing us for our witness across the Brooklyn Bridge, in full view of NYC:
 
Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. (Ez 2:4)

And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house they shall know that a prophet has been among them. (Ez 2:5)
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10)

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.” (Mk 6:4)
 
Well, Amen to that!  

But I'm also glad to say that our witness and message ("Remember the Unborn") was very peaceful and safe and relatively well-received.
It was a GREAT day! Hopefully, we get to do this again next year!
 
Make sure to visit the LifeRunners Facebook page for more pictures:
 

All In Christ For Pro-Life!
 
God bless!
Bob Viscovich
LI Chapter Leader, Life Runners
Respect Life Leader
St Dominic’s, Oyster Bay
SAVE THE DATES: SEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 31
Hempstead: 540 Fulton, Ave.

West Islip: 180 Sunrise Hwy.
Smithtown: 70 Maple Ave.

Riverhead: 877 East Main St.
Additional Campaign Site This Year
Patchogue:
450 Waverly Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772
We will witness in the Public Area outside the Planned Parenthood Center at 450 Waverly Ave in Patchogue. Monday thru Saturday from 8 AM to 7 PM.

Hoping that neighboring Parishes will take one day a week, during the 40 Days.

This program can also generate interest to start or increase the Respect Life Ministry in the Parish.

Parishioners can sign up for a 1 hour witness on line at www.40daysforlife.org or just show up.

Signs and Rosaries are provided.

See below for a short video and Bishop Barre’s letter about 40 Days for Life :

Blessings,
Bob Williams
(631) 615-1735
Join us on Facebook
+ SUPPORT AND SERVICE
"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Mt 25:40
CREIGHTON MODEL FERTILITY CARE
SYSTEM TRAINING
The Gianna Center will be hosting a local Certificate Program for Creighton Model FertilityCare Systems.  *Practitioners, *Instructors

Dates: 
Education Phase I:
September 9-12, 2021, September 23-26, 2021 

Education Phase II:
March 21-26, 2022  

Place: 
Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
440 West Neck Rd., Huntington, NY 11743

Deadline to Register is July 1, 2021
Natural Family Planning Week
July 25 - 31, 2021
Helping married couples to deepen conjugal love and achieve responsible parenthood is part of the Church's total pastoral ministry to Catholic spouses. Fulfillment of this ministry includes both education and pastoral care. This means "instilling conviction and offering practical help to those who wish to live out their parenthood in a truly responsible way" (Familiaris consortio, 35).
Experience a new approach to women’s health care
The Gianna Center is a medical practice dedicated to empowering women with a restorative, scientifically based method for treating, monitoring, and maintaining their health.
  • Infertility
  • Menstrual cycle abnormalities
  • Endometriosis and painful periods
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Hormonal abnormalities
  • Menopausal therapy
  • Creighton Model FertilityCare System™
  • (Natural family planning)
  • NaProTECHNOLOGY™ medical
  • and surgical consultations
  • General gynecological care
  • Women’s general medical care
Gianna Center of Long Island
661 Deer Park Avenue
Babylon, NY 11702
631-376-3232

The Gianna Center, Rockville Centre
1000 North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
516-705-1148

Gianna Center of New York City
15 East 40th Street, Suite 101
New York, NY 10016
212-481-1219
POST-ABORTION MINISTRY
Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
Do you know someone who is suffering after an abortion experience?

Project Rachel is a ministry about finding hope and healing after abortion.

It’s normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion. It can form a hole in one’s heart, a hole so deep that sometimes it seems nothing can fill the emptiness.

You are not alone…
COME BACK TO LOVE AND MERCY! JESUS AWAITS YOU!
A Story of Hope
Years ago, I had an abortion. By writing this I hope to reach anyone who may be suffering as I was, and to share with them my experience and healing.

I grew up in a Catholic home. Despite my refusal to accept many teachings of the church, I did believe in the sanctity of all human life. When I got pregnant during my first year in college, I felt my only choice was adoption. Although this was a most painful experience, it didn’t compare to the horror I went through a year later when I aborted my second child. Deep inside, I knew I was living immorally, the one who “accidentally” got pregnant. I wasn’t pressured by anyone. I just could not bear the thought of giving up another child and I was convinced I wouldn’t be a fit parent. What kind of parent was so irresponsible anyway?

By this time I had completely lost my faith. Living a way that contradicted what I knew in my heart to be true, made faith impossible. I proceeded to have the abortion, and so violated one of my most basic instincts. No one could tell me it wasn’t a child. I had been pregnant and given birth to my son a year earlier. I knew this was no “collection of cells.” I told no one and buried it deep inside. Read more
Please Contact Us For Information
About The Next Day Of Prayer And Healing!
DRVC Project Rachel confidential phoneline:  1-516-766-2538 (se habla espanol)
Toll Free number: 1-888-456-HOPE
En Español:  Esperanzaposaborto.org
If you need help please call our help line and someone will be happy to give some counsel over the phone to calm any fears or anxieties.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
Contact Us
Lisa A. Honkanen, M.D. – Director
lhonkanen@drvc.org, 516-678-5800 Ext. 381
 
Donna Crean – Assistant Director/Project Rachel Coordinator
dcrean@drvc.org, 516 678 5800 Ext. 626

Jamey Hutchinson BSN CFCP CFCE Educational Liaison to
Gianna Center for Women's Health & Fertility
50 North Park Ave. Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
Additional Informational Websites
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE!