Welcome to Respect Life

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)

Sunday, April 1st 1pm Closing Vigil Jericho Walk (Palm Sunday

 

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." 

Respect Life 2011

Image copyrighted by USCCB

Statement on court victory ordering New York State
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/

http://www.portal.4lpi.com/assets/images/content/bi/preview/bi04fa04.jpg

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

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

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.

***The Reproductive Health Act has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeff Klein.****

Advocating for Life

"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

Fighting FOCA

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.

Sr. Yvonne with teens

(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

March for Life

On the steps of the National Basilica

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.

 

Top Articles

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.

New Vatican Instruction on Reproductive Technologies

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

Parish Respect Life Representatives

Parish Respect Life Representatives

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.

Rachel's Vineyard

Rachel’s Vineyard teamMembers 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
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

Most Recent (2009) abortion data from the NYS Department of Health

By County:

Race/Ethnicity
Operative Procedure


Copyright © 2011 Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. All rights reserved.