NYSCC Top 10 Reasons to Oppose NYS's Reproductive Health Act (RHA)
10. It moves New York State in the opposite direction of “safe, legal and rare.”
9. It would undermine maternity and prenatal care programs, which could be ruled “discriminatory” for favoring childbirth over abortion.
8. It could be used to mandate abortion coverage in all insurance plans.
7. It could compel Catholic Charities and Catholic schools to counsel and refer for abortion.
6. It could compel all hospitals, even Catholic hospitals, to allow abortions on premises.
5. It lifts the current age restriction on the purchase of the so-called “morning-after pill” at neighborhood drug stores, allowing girls as young as 11 and 12 to get the drugs without a doctor’s prescription or a parent’s knowledge.
4. It makes abortion immune to common-sense prudent regulations: parental notification for minors’ abortions, restrictions on taxpayer funding, informed consent or a waiting period for pregnant women.
3. By inserting a broad “health” exception into our law, it opens up third-trimester abortions for any reason at all, and invites late-term abortionists into New York State to set up shop to abort viable, fully formed babies.
2. By repealing the requirement in current law that only a licensed physician may perform an abortion, it endangers women’s lives.
1. New York is already the abortion capital of the nation, with 33% of pregnancies (40% in NYC) ending in abortion, as opposed to 19% nationally.
Stillbirth certificates now available
by Kathleen M. Gallagher
Losing a child — whether unborn, stillborn or live born — is undoubtedly the most painful and traumatic event a parent can endure. Now, finally, parents of stillborn children can find some comfort and healing for their heartache by obtaining a Certificate of Still Birth from the New York State Health Department.
It took more than eight years of political wrangling, with abortion advocates fearing the law might — God forbid — confer “personhood” onto the fetus, but now it’s official. As of March 21, 2012, these certificates are available for families who’ve lost a child to stillbirth, defined as “the unintended intrauterine death of a fetus that occurs after the clinical estimate of the 20th week of gestation.”
Information from the State Health Department on how families can apply for a certificate is here.
The actual application is here.
Even family members of still born children from many years ago are eligible for this certificate.
New York City has their own forms which must be used by parents who delivered a stillborn child in one of the five boroughs. The city application is here.
Please spread the word about the availability of these certificates, which will hopefully bring comfort to many who grieve the loss of a child.
http://www.nyscatholic.org/2012/04/stillbirth-certificates-now-available/
May 4, 5 & 6, 2012
ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES
Participants in this prayer event will be praying the rosary for an end to abortion.
"I encourage the faithful to seek the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe...by
praying the Rosary for the protection of unborn human life through the campaign of the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization."
- Cardinal Raymond Burke (2008)
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Statement on court victory ordering New York State
to permit Choose Life license plates.
NYS Catholic Conference offers some background and our position about Choose Life license plates:
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/11/catholic-conference-on-licence-plate-controversy/
HHS RULING
On Friday, January 20, 2012, the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued an unprecedented ruling that confirmed that virtually all private health plans will be required to include coverage for sterilizations and contraceptives, including abortion inducing drugs. The agency falsely characterizes these as "preventive services" as if pregnancy were a disease. It further stipulates that these "services" must be included in private health insurance plans without co-pays or other cost sharing. Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This ruling will force Catholics to decide between violating their consciences and providing the basic right of health care. At issue is the constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans. In this ruling, you and I were told that we can call ourselves Catholic, we just can't act like we are. I invite you to read Bishop LaValley's letter concerning this important matter. Please learn more about this issue and contact your elected representatives. Thank you for your help in defense of religious liberty and in support of the sanctity of human life. Bishop LaValley's Letter
HHS Bulletin Inserts from USCCB: Word PDF |
PRAYER TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD
(www.priestsforlife.org/novenas/defund-planned-parenthood-prayer.htm)
Lord of Life and Truth,
Your Providence guides the course of history.
You have conquered death
And have made us the People of Life.
You call us to fight the evil of abortion
And the forces that promote it.
We therefore ask you to grant wisdom and mercy to our nation.
Give our government leaders the courage
To put an end to the funding
Of the largest abortion business in the world.
Give all of us the courage to insist
That public funding only be used
For the protection and promotion of life
Rather than for its destruction.
Give us hopeful hearts and joyful spirits
As we continue to proclaim, celebrate, and serve
The Gospel of Life.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Bishop Terry LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg, along with Michael Hamilton, a parishioner and altar server at St. Alexander's in Morrisonville, lead the 37th annual Plattsburgh March for Life held on Sunday, January 16th. Bishop LaValley was the keynote speaker for the event which began at the Newman Center and concluded at St. John's church. A crowd of almost 200 braved the 19 degree temps to stand up for the sanctity of all human life.
Click here to read the North Country Catholic article.
***The Reproductive Health Act has been introduced in the Senate
by Senator Jeff Klein.****
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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 |
(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. |
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.
On A Pilgrimage for Life
HOPE.PRAY.LOVE.SAVE.
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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. |
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 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)
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Are you or someone you know suffering from post abortion syndrome?
Bouts of crying
Depression
Guilt
Inability to forgive oneself
Intense grief / sadness
Anger / rage
Emotional numbness
Sexual problems or promiscuity
Eating disorders
Lowered self esteem
Drug and alcohol abuse
Nightmares and sleep disturbances
Suicidal urges
Difficulty with relationships
Anxiety and panic attacks
Flashbacks
Multiple abortions
Pattern of repeat crisis pregnancy
Discomfort around babies or pregnant women
Fear / ambivalence of pregnancy
Source: www.Rachelsvineyard.org |
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.
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 above 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 |
Elizabeth Ministry
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
New abortion data -- as well as pregnancy, birth, marriage and divorce data -- is now available on the New York State Health Department web site:
http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/vital_statistics/2010/
A quick review reveals:
The good news is that the total number of abortions decreased by almost 3,800. Sadly, in some counties (like Suffolk and Erie), the number of abortions rose.
The number of “medical abortions” (pills) increased from 13,783 in 2009 to 16,182 in 2010.
There were 1,826 more Medicaid-financed abortions in 2010 than there were in the previous year.
Fifty-eight percent of the women obtaining abortions have had at least one previous abortion, and 29% have had two or more previous abortions.
Copyright © Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. All rights reserved.
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