Issue 94 | February 2019
+   ADVOCACY & PUBLIC POLICY
Archbishop urges 'renewed vigor' to protect life, stop 'evil' of abortion
February 6, 2019

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- New York state's new law allowing abortion essentially "for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy" and similar legislation proposed in Virginia and other states is "evil, pure and simple," said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee Feb. 2.
"Abortion has always been built on a lie. Today, the lie is switching from 'abortion is a choice' to 'abortion is health care,'" said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities. Read more
Take Action: Let your state legislator know your thoughts on their Reproductive Health Act vote 
February 6, 2019

On January 22, the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, both the New York State Senate and the Assembly voted on and passed the radical “Reproductive Health Act,” numbered S.240. The Governor immediately signed and celebrated the new law. 

Go HERE to send a message to your elected officials about their vote. 

Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Urges Senate Vote and Passage of Born -Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
February 5, 2019
 usccb.org

WASHINGTON–Last night, the Senate failed to adopt by unanimous consent the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act—legislation that would ensure that a child born alive following an abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.

“This Legislation is Evil, Pure and Simple,” Says Chairman of U.S. Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities Committee; Calls All Catholics to Fight with Renewed Vigor for Unborn
February 2, 2019

WASHINGTON—Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, KS and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities has issued the following statement in response to several states moving forward with legislation that would permit a baby to be aborted at nine months.
Archbishop Naumann’s full statement follows:
“Abortion has always been built on a lie. Today, the lie is switching from 'abortion is a choice' to 'abortion is healthcare.' A law recently passed in New York not only legalizes abortion essentially for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy but removes any protection for children born alive after abortion. Read More
NYS Catholic Conference reacts to passage of
Reproductive Health Act
January 23, 2019

On January 22 Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act into law. Following is a statement of the New York State Catholic Conference on the passage and signing of the Reproductive Health Act: New York State has added a sad chapter to this already solemn date of January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. With the legislature’s passage, and Governor Cuomo’s signing of the Reproductive Health Act, our beloved state has become a more dangerous one for women and their unborn babies.

Many of the state Senators and Assembly Members who voted for this abortion expansion are mothers themselves, who felt their child toss, turn and kick in their womb, and delighted in the progress of their pregnancy. Read more
TAKE ACTION 
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.

Take action on legislative issues through the The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA)
The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA) does not have any active campaigns right now, however we will update you as soon as more alerts are available.
Marchers urged to stand strong, fight for life with ‘compassion, hope’
Over 1,000 parishioners from across the Diocese of Rockville Centre and nearly 700 high school students travelling officially with each of the nine Catholic High Schools in the Diocese participated in the 46th annual March for Life on Friday, January 18, in Washington, DC.
The diocesan contingent joined over one hundred thousand others who witnessed for the Gospel of Life on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Bishop John Barres was present, greeting and blessing the individuals and groups from schools and parishes who braved the cold to show their belief in the dignity of all human life.


USCCB Statement on the Anniversary of Roe vs Wade 
The pro-life ethic challenges us to care about the sacredness of every human being throughout the life spectrum. We are called always and everywhere to promote the dignity of the human person. 

+ PRAYER & WORSHIP
Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Gianna Molla
Patron Saint of Mothers, Physicians,
and Preborn Children

O compassionate Saint Gianna,
physician and caregiver to the poor,
the elderly, to children and expectant mothers, look lovingly upon my humble prayer, and intercede for me with our
Heavenly Father.

As a dedicated wife and mother,
you imitated the love of our Savior,
Jesus Christ,
even to the point of giving your life to save the life of your preborn child.
Ask the Holy Spirit, I pray, to fill me with courage, so that your words may become my own: “Whatever God wants.”

If it is in God’s loving plan for me,
pray that my intention may be granted
(make your request here).
I make this prayer for the healing
and strengthening of my heart, soul,
mind and body, with complete trust
in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Printed with ecclesiastical approval – 2017
The upcoming observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 10) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family.
Prayer for Married Couples
Almighty and eternal God,

You blessed the union of married couples
so that they might reflect the union of Christ
with his Church:
look with kindness on them.
Renew their marriage covenant,
increase your love in them,
and strengthen their bond of peace
so that, with their children,
they may always rejoice in the gift of
your blessing.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For more information visit usccb.org.
Looking for more resources to strengthen your marriage, or advice for dating and engaged couples? Visit the For Your Marriage website. En Español: Por Tu Matrimonio.
+ CARE AND SERVICES
POST-ABORTION MINISTRY
Project Rachel
Hope After Abortion
Do you know someone who is suffering abortion loss? Project Rachel is a ministry about finding hope and healing after abortion. 

For more information, visit the Project Rachel Hope
After Abortion   website , call the Respect Life Office's confidential phoneline: 1-888-456-HOPE(se habla espanol) 
1-516-766 2538, email   projectrachel@drvc.org  to begin healing after abortion loss. 

 En Español:   Esperanzaposaborto.org
Healing after Abortion

Day of Prayer and Healing for Women
Saturday, April 6, 2019


Please register by Monday, April 1, 2019.
All reservations and information will remain confidential.
Diocesan Pregnancy Support
If you or someone you know of is pregnant, and in need of support, Catholic Charities and Catholic Health Services, can provide assistance.
Please contact: 1 (855) 301-4CHS or visit  chsli.org/pregnancy-support-services
Gianna Center of Long Island
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.

If you or someone you know of is pregnant Catholic Charities and Catholic Health Services, can provide assistance please contact
1 (855) 301-4CHS or visit 
Gabriel's Courage
Catholic Health Services 
A program for families expecting a child with a life limiting illness. Gabriel's Courage is a family-centered perinatal program, offering a multidisciplinary team approach and continuum of care for families who choose to continue a pregnancy after receiving a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. Read more
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
Mother’s Circle of Hope Support Group
Coping With Depression or Anxiety During Pregnancy or After the Birth of Your Baby? Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is proud to offer to the local community a support group.
Become a CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ PRACTITIONER
The CREIGHTON MODEL Fertility Care  System works cooperatively with a woman’s cycle to monitor normal and naturally occurring biological markers that identify the fertile and infertile days in her cycle. 

The  FertilityCare  Practitioner Program prepares students to teach the Creighton Model  FertilityCare  System.

EDUCATION PHASE I
Cost $100.00 per night  (3 meals provided)
March 13 – March 20, 2019
Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, 440 W Neck Rd, Huntington, NY 11743

For more information contact:
Jamey Hutchinson  jamey.hutchinson@chsli.org   or 631-376-3232

+ EDUCATION
Respect Life Parish Ministry Educational Overview Training
Now available online for Respect Life Parish Ministry Educational Overview Training. Please go to our    website    to start your training and gain insightful knowledge on Respect Life Issues or Concern's.  

Educación en línea construyendo una cultura de vida, Educación y Formación General Para el Ministerio Parroquial de Respeto a la Vida
El entrenamiento en línea de Educación y formación general para el Ministerio Parroquial del Respeto a la Vida, está ahora disponible. Por favor, vaya a nuestra página del internet para empezar su entrenamiento y obtenga conocimiento profundo sobre asuntos del respeto a la vida y otros asuntos.
February 22 2019
Feast of the Chair of
Saint Peter, Apostle
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, 
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  MT 16:13-19
February 2019
2nd
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
5th
Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases. MT 8:17
6th
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;I know them, and they follow me. JN 10:27
La Palabra de Dios nos da respuestas ¡Veamos cómo podemos encontrarlas!
All scripture taken from the USCCB Daily Readings     http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/
14th
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. JAS 1:21BC
22nd
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. MT 16:18
Chair of Saint Peter, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
23rd
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. MK 9:6
Save the Date
St. Gianna Feast Day Mass
April 27, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre
WORD OF LIFE | PALABRA DE VIDA
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 Life
Additional Respect Life Informational Websites
DEUS CARITAS EST ... GOD IS LOVE
Allison O'Brien, Director 
Patricia Fox, Project Rachel Ministry Coordinator 
Diana Tellis, Ministry/Dept. Assistant 
Ashley Foster, Media Specialist
Sr. Elizabeth A. Geraghty, Volunteer
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!