Highlights of this newsletter:
- Pray for Dobbs
- The Image of God, Respect Life Month, and Beyond
- Upcoming Activities
- The Lord’s Prayer
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Dear Friends for Life,
As Respect Life Month draws to a close, there are many reminders that respecting life is not a day or month-long event but rather a pursuit for every day of the year. There are both painful reminders (such as the House passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act ) and optimistic ones (for example, the Texas and Mississippi laws that place limits on abortions ) that tell us we must persevere: despite challenges, there is progress being made in building a culture of life—even in a hardened society.
PRAY FOR DOBBS
Beginning in December, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. At the heart of the challenge is Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act which bans abortions after fifteen weeks. For all the claims that this law is extreme, consider that across Europe almost all countries restrict abortion after fifteen weeks—and the majority of these after twelve weeks. By the end of the first trimester (twelve weeks), a fetus measures about four inches and is fully developed with all of its organs formed. We can see then that the Mississippi law is not extreme at all. In fact, for all those innocent human lives still at risk, it is not enough!
The implications of this case to Roe v. Wade (and for further legal protections of the unborn) could be very significant. And so, we must pray! Over the next nine months, there is a national prayer event, “Pray for Dobbs” in which we encourage your participation at both the individual and parish levels. On the 22nd of each month from October to June, all people of faith across the United States are invited to join in prayer and fasting for a just outcome to this case which would protect millions of children and their mothers from the grave harms of abortion. For God all things are possible! (Mt 19:26)
THE IMAGE OF GOD, RESPECT LIFE MONTH, AND BEYOND
“God created man in His image. In the image of God He created him. Male and female He created them. Then God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply’” (Gen 1:27-28)
It is most fitting that we celebrate the feast of Pope St. John Paul II during Respect Life month. His preaching on human life, marriage, and the family was prolific throughout his pontificate, but probably most notable in his Wednesday audiences (from 1979 to 1984) compiled in The Theology of the Body: Human Love in the Divine Plan as well as his masterful encyclical, Evangelium Vitae.
There is one particular concept that Pope St. John Paul II developed more fully in his Theology of the Body catechesis and which is critical to a deeper understanding of the inviolable dignity of the human person: imago Dei or the image of God. Man is composed of a body and soul. In our solitude, we bear likeness to God mostly in the soul: we are rational beings with free will, destined for eternal life. And in this alone, we have immeasurable value and dignity. Read more
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+ PRAYER
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Th. 5:17
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Message from Archbishop Naumann, USCCB, Pro Life Secretariat |
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A Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life |
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Dearest St. Joseph,
at the word of an angel,
you lovingly took Mary into your home.
As God’s humble servant, you guided
the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem,
welcomed Jesus as your own son
in the shelter of a manger,
and fled far from your homeland
for the safety of both Mother and Child.
We praise God that as their faithful protector,
you never hesitated to sacrifice
for those entrusted to you.
May your example inspire us also
to welcome, cherish, and safeguard
God’s most precious gift of life.
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Help us to faithfully commit ourselves
to the service and defense of human life
—especially where it is
vulnerable or threatened.
Obtain for us the grace
to do the will of God in all things.
Amen.
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Copyright © 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. |
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The Value of Human Life
By Fr Joe Davanzo, Pastor Our Lady of Grace
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Each year the Church celebrates October as Respect Life Month and the 1st Sunday of October as Respect Life Sunday. The Church calls on Catholics to cherish, defend and protect life from its beginning to its end and at every point in between. This truth should be obvious, but our world’s Culture of Death cleverly deceives and convinces people, especially the young, that human lives, particularly preborn babies, are not important and can be destroyed. I came across a video from the PragerU organization showing young people, millennials, in Los Angeles being asked to sign a petition to protect eagle eggs from destruction (something that is already illegal under federal law).
The reactions were all positive from “of course don’t kill eagles” to “I hope you save the eagles.” Then when asked to sign a 2nd petition to “stop the killing of humans too, like babies,” at first, they respond “oh my God” and “I hate the killing of babies.” But once they realize this refers to abortion, they immediately changed saying “Wait, no...I’m pro-abortion” and “Oh no, I disagree.” When asked, “Why do you support not killing unborn eagles, but support killing unborn children?” One person didn’t dispute that abortion kills children, but she said, “a human should probably have more rights than an eagle.” Another said, “Babies are gross. You’re not a woman. You have no idea what it does to your body.” Another adds, “Maybe I would want a baby, not more than 1 [because with climate change] we’re all gonna die soon.” Read more
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We invite you to pray and fast for the upcoming Supreme Court case Dobbs v Jackson on the 22nd of each month for the next nine months as part of a nationwide prayer campaign! |
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In 2018 Mississippi passed a law protecting unborn children after 15 weeks of gestation. The law was challenged and the case, known as Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, is being heard by the Supreme Court. This is truly a landmark case that could potentially overturn the decision of Roe v Wade. The possibility for future laws protecting the unborn hangs in the balance. The oral arguments will be heard on Dec 1, 2021 but the decision is expected in June 2022.
For the past 49 years, the infamous date of January 22 has been one of solemn prayer and remembrance for the tragedy of legalized abortion in this country.
In these next crucial 9 months
October 2021 until June 2022
let us make the
22nd of each month
a special day of prayer and fasting for the Dobbs case
in the hopes that on its 50th anniversary (Jan 22, 2023)
Roe v Wade will have been finally overturned!
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Prayer for the Supreme Court: |
Holy Trinity, Source of Life and Truth, we entrust our nation to You. We ask for mercy for the decades of legalized abortion that has been permitted in our land. We ask that the sacredness of every human life would be protected and upheld both in law and in culture. In a special way we commend to you the Justices of the Supreme Court. Please grant them clarity, wisdom, and courage to judge according to truth and right reason. Overthrow, at last, by Your power, the scourge of abortion in our land and usher in a new era of protection for the unborn. By the power of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, may Your perfect justice be established on earth.
Amen
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“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 |
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I recently watched a compel- ling video prepared by a group called “Heartbeat International.” They provide women, who regret having taken an abortion pill, the chance to reverse their decision through a treatment involving progesterone. The protocol, though not yet officially “peer-reviewed,” appears to work well if the woman doesn’t wait too long, and the video includes pictures and rescue dates of many beautiful babies who have been saved this way.
What also caught my attention were the stories of several nurses working at Heartbeat International.
“I wanted to help out in a meaningful way,” one of them, named Amanda, said. “I was very excited to hear about abortion-pill reversal for the first time… I thought: God just brought that in front of me, and I think that’s what I’m meant to do.”
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"Each day for us
in- volves a walk along the threshold of eternity, through small and
not- so- small gestures, even though we may not
always see the full implications of each of our decisions."
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She went on to share a follow- up from two mothers whom she had recently assisted.
They sent me pictures on WhatsApp after they had their babies. … I'm so thankful for their courage and their bravery. They talked about how much they love their babies and I'm just so happy for them. I’m just so grateful God gave me that opportunity to speak with both of them. I’ve never had this kind of fulfillment in any previous nursing job that I’ve had — that feeling of Yes! — I'm making a difference in someone's life, …a difference in eternity.
Every child saved this way is someone who now enjoys the opportunity to grow up, go to school, get married, have kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. It clearly makes an incalculable difference for that child, as well as for untold others. An “eternal difference.”
Each of us would like for our lives and our work to “make a difference,” and especially to make a lasting, impactful, and eternal difference. Read more
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NEW UPDATED RESOURCES:
NEW!
FAQ on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Exemptions
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See below for a list of current issues for you to learn more and to take action.
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“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 |
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HELP SAVE LIVES ON LONG ISLAND!
Join our 2021 Fall Campaign of Prayer and Fasting!
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Your prayers can save lives and change hearts. 40 Days for Life is a life-saving prayer campaign that will take place throughout our Diocese across Long Island starting on September 22 and concluding October 31. 40 Days for Life is a peaceful initiative consisting of 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and educational outreach with the goal of protecting mothers and their children from abortion. More than 18,000 unborn children have been saved from abortion during 40 Days for Life campaigns. To learn more about the 40 Days for Life campaign, in your area visit: www.40daysforlife.com. Sign up for hours for each campaign.
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CONTACT LEADERS FOR CAMPAIGNS ON LONG ISLAND:
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Hempstead:
Saturday, September 18th at 9:00am
Holy Mass St Ladislaus, RCC
18 Richardson Pl
Hempstead, NY 11550
Fr. Liam McDonald, Fr. Fidelis Moscinski, CFR, Fr. Mariusz Gorazd
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Rosary Procession to Vigil Location to follow
VIGIL LOCATION:
Planned Parenthood
Public right-of-way outside
540 Fulton Ave Hempstead, NY 11550
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Smithtown:
Sunday, September 19th at 5:00pm
Holy Mass St Patrick’s, RCC
280 East Main St
Smithtown, NY 11787
Celebrant: Msgr Walden
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VIGIL LOCATION:
Planned Parenthood
Public right-of-way outside
70 Maple Ave, Smithtown NY 11787
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West Islip:
No Official Kick Off
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VIGIL LOCATION:
Planned Parenthood Public right-of-way outside 180 Sunrise Hwy West Islip, NY
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Patchogue: NEW SITE
Saturday September. 18th 8AM
Holy Mass Chapel at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
495 No. Ocean Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772
Procession at 9AM from Home Depot Parking Lot,
10 Gateway Blvd to Vigil Location
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VIGIL LOCATION:
Planned Parenthood 450 Waverly Avenue, Patchogue
Monday thru Saturday 8AM-7PM
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On Thursday, September 30th, Monsignor Ellsworth Walden, Pastor of St. Patrick R.C. Church in Smithtown, shared a reflection about his 40 Days for Life prayer vigil time. We present his beautiful letter below.
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Yesterday I was with two women in front of Planned Parenthood. One was a mother of three children, the other a mother of two. We walked up and down the sidewalk praying the joyful mysteries of the Rosary. As I reflected on the mysteries we were praying, I was struck by the irony. The Annunciation of Jesus brought great hope and joy, while the women who go to Planned Parenthood with their pregnancy are given the false hope that aborting their child will bring hope and peace.
Recently someone told me the account of a Sister of Life who went into a restaurant with her family. The waitress asked her about her habit and what the Sisters of Life do. The Sister gladly shared the joy of her ministry in helping pregnant women and those who have had abortions. As they were leaving the waitress pointed to her heart and asked, “Does the pain ever go away?” Obviously, she’d had an abortion and was suffering in regret for what she did. Read more
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Local Witness 40 Days for Life, Patchogue |
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Such a wonderful 40 Days for Life witness at the new site in Patchogue. God is good! Take a listen to a special couple sharing their love for their son!
Special Needs = Special Blessings take a listen!
GOD is Pro Life
Thank you and God bless Bob and Diane Williams for your faithfulness to God and the unborn and their families! Life is Sacred!
See all the beautiful witness stories that have been happening on the East End!
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On Respect Life Sunday, October 3, St Aidan's Respect Life group attended the Stand Up For Life rally on Rte 110 in Huntington. The rally was held in thousands of locations throughout the country to bring about the end of abortion. This year's rally was held in conjunction with the Long Island Coalition for Life. God was blessing us as the sun shined brightly on the hundreds of people that lined Rte 110 with a majority of passing cars cheering us on. Clearly the tide is turning against the abortion industry as science and human rights come in to play.
The Respect Life Group seeks through prayer, legislative action and activities the end of abortion. It is important now more than ever that we ensure the protection of the voiceless and all human life from the womb until natural death.
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"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 |
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The Gianna Center is named after St. Gianna Molla, patron saint of mothers, physicians and unborn children. In October, Respect Life Month, we especially pray for the intercession of St. Gianna for all of our patients who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
The Gianna Center Babylon location has the special honor to have on display one of St. Gianna Molla's sweaters that was gifted to us by her daughter Gianna Emmanuela Molla.
St. Gianna, pray for us!
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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. |
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- 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
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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
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POST-ABORTION MINISTRY
Project Rachel Hope After Abortion
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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!
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Please Contact Us For Information About The Next Day Of Prayer And Healing! |
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Project Rachel confidential phoneline: 1-516-766-2538 (se habla espanol)
Toll Free number: 1-888-456-HOPE
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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. |
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Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! |
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Lisa A. Honkanen, M.D. – Director
Donna Crean – Assistant Director/Project Rachel Coordinator
Jamey Hutchinson BSN CFCP CFCE Educational Liaison to
Gianna Center for Women's Health & Fertility
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50 North Park Ave. Rockville Ctr., NY 11570
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Additional Informational Websites |
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED MISSION TO SERVE LIFE! |
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