2012 Respect Life Grant Application
Word PDF

February 22nd – April 1st, 2012
*40 Days for Life Spring Campaign * - Flyer
Be a part of ending abortion in America
Volunteer to pray and join in community outreach at
Plattsburgh's Planned Parenthood 66 Brinkerhoff Street
For more info visit: www.40daysforlife.com/plattsburgh
or call coordinator Nancy Belzile at 518-593-6024

IMPORTANT 40 Days for Life Dates
            Vigils are about 1 hour – please dress for the weather!

Wednesday, February 22nd 10am Opening Vigil Ceremony (Ash Wednesday)

Sunday, March 11th, 6:30pm Mid-Point Candlelight Vigil (daylight savings time begins)

OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH

The USCCB selected the Respect Life month theme:
"I came so that all might have life and have it to the full." 

Image copyrighted by USCCB

"Each of us has a mission, each of us is called to change the world, to work for a culture of life, a culture forged by love and respect for the dignity of each human person". Pope Benedict XVI, Address in Hyde Park, London, Sept. 2010

TAKE ACTION ON IMPORTANT PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION.
SEND LETTERS TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
SIGN PETITIONS. RECEIVE E-MAIL ALERTS.
VIEW KEY BILLS. FIND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

JOIN THE CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK:
WWW.NYSCATHOLIC.ORG
THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC POLICY VOICE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE EMPIRE STATE

The Freedom of Choice Act endangers women and silences the voices of Americans. To learn more and to sign the Freedom of Choice Act Petition please visit: www.fightfoca.com.

(above) Sr. Yvonne with teens who are proud of their new pro-life t-shirts they received at the Clinton County fair in Plattsburgh. The annual pro-life booth is sponsored by Champlain Valley Right to Life and manned by volunteers for the week.

USCCB FOCA

Pictures

146 passengers on the Youth Buses for Life represented our Diocese at the 39th March for Life in Washington DC. 
Participants are seen here on the steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception giving 'thumbs up' for Life!
Sign ups begin each October (Respect LIfe month) and are open to high school students and Virtus-trained chaperones. Buses depart from Massena, Watertown and Albany. The 2013 March will be on a Friday so the schedule will be a little different from this year's March and should not conflict with midterms. Visit the Respect Life website for updates.

Article on the NYS Bishops statement "Now and at the Hour of Our Death" 
(available from the NYS Catholic Conference)

2011 Respect Life Grants Awarded

Health Care Reform ~
Bulletin Announcement & Inserts,
Prayers, Ads and more from the USCCB

Healthcare Reform

Q & A on Healthcare Reform

Conscience Protection

Former abortion doctors speak

Updated U-Tube video highlighting Radical Abortion Bill. This four minute educational video outlines problems with the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection act.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has completed its instruction, Dignitas Personae, answering many questions raised by artificial reproductive technologies since Donum Vitae was issued in 1987.

The new document is entitled Dignitas Personae - the dignity of the person - which must be recognized in every human being from conception to natural death. This fundamental principle must be at the center of ethical biomedical research.

View the Vatican's summary of the document
View the 23-page document.

We Value the Gift of Life:38-Week Bulletin Series
Follow the gift of one of God's little ones from conception to birth with weekly developmental updates and scripture verses.
Click here for Word document
Click here for PDF document

Nebraska First to Allow Women to Sue
for Psychological Injury After Abortion

USCCB Legal Memo on Health Care Bill Executive Order

Thirty five Diocese of Ogdensburg Parish Respect Life Representatives met on Thursday, July 7th at the Guggeneheim Lodge.

The  "Meet and Greet" allowed those who coordinate pro-life efforts in their parish, the opportunity to meet Bishop Terry LaValley and socialize with other parish representatives.

The day began with with Mass celebrated by Bishop LaValley. Attendees learned about expectations and guidelines of their position, programs available in our diocese and upcoming events.
View the photos.

Members of the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s Rachel’s Vineyard team recently attended the 2011 Training Conference. Pictured here are Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, Colleen and John Miner, Respect Life directors and retreat coordinators, Dale Barr, regional director of Silent No More Ministry Cornwall, Ontario, Sandy Izzo, Dr. Theresa Burke, founder of Rachel’s Vineyard and Sr. Rita Mawn, retreat facilitator. Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life.

Have you attended a Rachel's Vineyard retreat and would like to stay connected with past retreatants? Join "Companions on the Journey", an online community exclusively for post-abortive women and men who have attended a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat. Visit this link to sign up!

The Diocese of Ogdensburg is offering two Rachel's Vineyard retreats in 2012.
The spring retreat will be Friday, June 8th-Sunday, June 10th.
The fall retreat will be Friday, October 5-Sunday, October 7th (Columbus Day weekend)

June Confidential Registration form
October Confidential Registration form

Photos of the Guggenheim Lodge, location of the Rachel's Vineyard retreats

The following was written by a retreatant at the May Rachel's Vineyard retreat. It is a poem for her child.

Hope and Healing

If you or someone you know is suffering after an abortion, do not suffer alone. Please visit www.rachelsvineyard.org to find a retreat location near you.

Two retreats are offered in the Diocese of Ogdensburg - spring and fall. For more information click on the tab on the left or contact retreat coordinator Colleen Miner 518-891-2309 or facilitator Rita Mawn 518-891-1182.

"I can't even begin to tell you the immensity and depth of the transformation of my relationship with Jesus and His Beautiful Holy Mother since the Rachel's Vineyard
Retreat a year ago. Finally, I was freed by the Holy Spirit to receive the boundlessly generous forgiveness and mercy of Jesus, our Savior and King. I am so grateful for the retreat and for the long awaited peace in my heart." Read More about Rachel's Vineyard.

43% of women have had an abortion by the age of 45. ~ Alan Guttmacher Institute

"Political leaders have a duty to defend the fundamental right to life." POPE Benedict XVI

Baby Samuel

Hand of Hope Story

Nearly 10 years after a stunning photograph of his tiny hand traveled the world, Samuel Armas has a firm grip on what "The Hand of Hope" means to him.

"Christ is not looking for tired conformists, but witnesses of courageous faith, those who burn in the fire of His love."-Pope Benedict XVI August 19,
2007 Angelus Address