In Gratitude for Life’s Goodness
Reflection by a Sister of Life
The 22nd of January marks the 47th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in all fifty states. We mourn this day. We mourn the lives that will never grace our nation. We mourn the mothers who will carry with them a deep longing for their children. We mourn the devastation abortion has brought to our understanding of life itself.
We long to tell the world that life is good. Life is so good that God Himself became one of us to give us the unmerited gift of more life—life with Him forever!
In this Issue:
1. Monthly Reflection
2. March for Life Info
3. Upcoming Events
4. Take Action
5. Education
"A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer."
- Pope Saint John Paul II, The Gospel of Life
- Pope Saint John Paul II, The Gospel of Life
MARCH FOR LIFE INFORMATION
The 47th Annual Pilgrimage and March for Life in Washington, DC is on Friday, January 24, 2020. This will be the first March for Life since the passing of the devastating Reproductive Health Act last January. This is an opportunity for us as New Yorkers to make a pilgrimage on behalf of life, praying for our state and our nation. Click here for a listing of buses travelling to the March for Life from the Archdiocese of New York or visit our website for more information. If you cannot attend, consider providing financial assistance for a local school so that young people can experience this inspiring event (contact sr.virginia.joy@archny.org for more information).
NY Pilgrim Mass with Cardinal Dolan
Friday, January 24, 2020
10:30AM
619 10th St. NW
Washington D.C.
close to the start of rally, no tickets required
Washington D.C.
close to the start of rally, no tickets required
We invite all New York pilgrims to participate in our NY Pilgrim Mass with Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick's Church in Washington D.C., close to the start of the March. The Mass will begin at 10:30AM and conclude around 11:15AM.
As an Archdiocese, we'd love to march together. Please meet us at the gathering place for New York pilgrims: 10th St. NW and Constitution Ave. Wear your red scarves!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Prayer Vigil for Life
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
the 47th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
6:30PM - Holy Hour with Music
7:30PM - Holy Mass celebrated
by Timothy Cardinal Dolan
The Church has designated January 22nd - the anniversary of Roe v. Wade - as a day of prayer for the protection of the unborn and penance for sins against the dignity of the human person. Join us at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a vigil of prayer on behalf of life. All are welcome and no RSVP is necessary.
Pro-Life Planning Meetings
Westchester-Putnam Right to Life Committee Meeting
Saturday, January 18 at 10:00AM
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
92 S. Lexington Avenue, White Plains
(in the rectory basement)
RSVP: Gerald Yeung, broger8@gmail.com
DutchnessNY4Life Planning Meeting for 2020
Saturday, February 1 at 10:30AM
Poughkeepsie Library - Adriance Meeting Room
93 Market St, Poughkeepsie
For more information contact: dutchessny4life@gmail.com
Bronx - Unplanned Screenings
St. Frances De Chantal Parish
190 Hollywood Ave, Bronx
Saturday, January 25 at 1:00PM and again at 3:00PM
Free admission. Bring your own refreshments.
Free admission. Bring your own refreshments.
Additional information Please call the rectory at 718-792-5500
Holy Rosary Parish
1510 Adee Avenue, Bronx
Sunday, January 26 at 3:00PM
Free admission. Light refreshments will be available prior to the movie. The movie will be followed by a Pro-Life Rosary for the end of abortion.
Witness for Life
Witness for Life - Manhattan
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
(Every first Saturday of the month)
8:00AM Holy Mass at The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
Followed by Rosary Procession to Planned Parenthood on Bleeker St.
10:15AM Benediction
10:30AM Social with coffee, donuts, and stories of grace from Sisters of Life serving vulnerable pregnant women
Rosary outside Planned Parenthood - Newburgh
(Every Tuesday)
9:30AM - 11:00AM
Join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal to pray outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Newburgh (136 Lake St.) on the day of surgical abortions. Contact Br. Benjamin at brbenjamincfr@gmail.com with any questions.
Join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal to pray outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Newburgh (136 Lake St.) on the day of surgical abortions. Contact Br. Benjamin at brbenjamincfr@gmail.com with any questions.
Love & Responsibility - Winter
Thursday, February 20 at 7:30PM
Immaculate Conception Church
414 E. 14th St., Manhattan
“Abortion & Democracy: The Elements of a Reasonable Debate About Abortion”
Speaker: Helen Alvaré
Hosted by the Office of Young Adult Outreach.
The Sisters of Life invite all women to a
Feminine Genius Brunch
This brunch borrows its name after those amazing God-given attributes endowed to you as women—receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, and maternity—all of which make up the feminine genius!! In addition to a lovely brunch, Sr. Virginia Joy, the director of the Respect Life Office of the archdiocese will give a talk on the beauty of the feminine heart and these distinct attributes as women.
Any questions,contact: sr.virginia.joy@archny.org.
WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
Sign up for
9 Days for Life
Jan. 21-29
9 Days for Life is a "digital pilgrimage" of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life. Join to receive the novena through the 9 Days for Life app, daily emails, or daily texts. Visit the website here.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signaled his intention to repeal New York's ban on surrogate motherhood for profit. The bill (A.1071-C / S.2071-B) would enable the buying and selling of children and the exploitation of women for their eggs and their wombs. It will lead to an increased reliance on IVF (in vitro fertilization) and the destruction of more human embryos. Please urge your elected officials to oppose this dangerous and misguided measure. Click here to contact your legislator.
Medical Professionals' Advocacy Day
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 at 11:00AM
Albany, NY
Please spread the word about this important advocacy day for medical professionals against assisted suicide legislation in the state of New York. Click here to register.
Physician-Assisted Suicide
Legislation permitting Physician-Assisted Suicide in the state of New York is already out of committee and could be voted on in this session. This would allows doctors to legally prescribe a lethal dose of pills at the request of a dying patient. We invite you to learn more about the dangers of physician-assisted this legislation. You can learn more by reading this flyer and by visiting our website.
To contact your legislator click here or use our calling script found here.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Respect Life Week
January 2020
A free curriculum available on our website to teachers, catechists and parents. It offers students engaging, grade-appropriate lessons on the dignity of the human person. Topics include: Loving our Neighbor, Life is a Gift, Learning to Forgive, Caring for those in Need, and Celebrating Special Needs. Find lesson plans, videos, resources and more on our website: https://lifeofficenyc.org/respect-life-week
FORMED
We want to make you aware of the excellent pro-life video resources available on FORMED. Visit formed.org to find engaging and educational content for pro-life initiatives in your parish. Many parishes in the Archdiocese already have a subscription to FORMED. Here are some pro-life videos that may interest you:
- Changing Sides: How a Pro-Life Presence Changed the Heart of a Planned Parenthood Director
- Unplanned: Behind the Scenes
- Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues by Fr. Robert Spitzer
God bless you,
Respect Life Office
Sr. Virginia Joy, SV, Director
sr.virginia.joy@archny.org
646.689.2613
Sr. Charity, SV, Assistant
sr.charity@archny.org
646.476.0931