​The Diocese of Rockville Centre reported (www.LICatholic.org) that 38 busses totaling almost 2,000 people participated in this year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C.  The Diocese of Brooklyn had many, many buses of persons who have regularly attended the March along with many, many “first-timers” participating.   
 
Of particular note are buses organized by Ann Gilmartin (Astoria), St. Francis DeSales Church (by a parish leader, Far Rockaway), Tom Kearns (St. Matthias, Ridgewood),  along with  other Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, parishes.   Cathy Donohoe (Holy Family) had TWO busses instead of one, and there was also a busload from St. John’s University, Jamaica.  Chris Rada,  Coordinator of Marriage, Family Life, and Respect Life Education, for the Diocese, coordinated the availability of three other buses—one leaving fro Brooklyn and two from Queens.  The Tablet published contact telephone numbers for several weeks extending an invitation to all to attend the March.
 
The above efforts helped produce exceptional results.  Estimated participation (including persons from many states across the United States) was about one-half million persons.  Great enthusiasm and support for Respect for Life abounded.  For the first time in the March’s history, a Vice President of the United States attended and spoke about the foundational principle in  the U.S. Constitution of the Right to Life.   Other key speakers included Representative Chris Smith; Jeanne Mancini, March for Life; Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life of America; and Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to President Donald Trump.  Cardinal Wuerl, USCCB, along with many other Bishops and leaders of many faiths participated in this outstanding demonstration for the respect and preservation of all Life.   
 
Optimism could be felt that there is hope that Roe v. Wade will be invalidated and that a Culture of Life will prevail for all.   Let us pray—and participate in this special time in American history. 

The media revealed its prejudices  and bias in the way it reported the tragic shootings in Colorado Springs a week ago and  in San Bernardino a few days ago.   It is too long overdue for "push back" on the media.  An unbiased press is essential for freedom to survive in a democracy.
http://www.register.ncregister.com, 12/4/15.

Americans can celebrate the first major victory against Planned Parenthood and ObamaCare  since the GOP took control of Congress. 

The vote was more than symbolic.  (52-47)  The end of taxpayers' forced partnership with Planned Parenthood was sweet. [Of note is that under the Murray-Wyden Amendment (proposed) Democrats suggested rewarding groups like Planned Parenthood despite ongoing investigations into baby parts-for-profit scheme.]

Of special note is that the Senate will have created a powerful precedent in forcing these issues through reconciliation.   Congress will have blazed the trail for partially repealing ObamaCare and defunding PP through the budget process--Congratulations!

Even if the President vetoes the bill (which is expected), a huge victory was won for unborn children, their mothers, and for taxpayers.  What a job!
Excerpted from Family Research Council, Tony Perkins " Washington Update,"  "A Not-So-Murray Christmas for Libs," December 4, 2015.

The U. S. Senate  for the first time in history passed a bill that defunds Planned Parenthood.   The bill also repeals core elements of the so-called Obamacare that compels both employers and individuals to pay for abortion inducing drugs and even surgical abortions.

By Gods' grace, your prayers and support have been instrumental in the nationwide revival in defense of life.  The bill is expected to pass in the House of Representatives.  The bill is expected to be vetoed by the President.  The veto can be nullified with sufficient votes from Congress.

Please join in praising God for His faithfulness as He continues to bless efforts to shine light on the darkness surrounding Planned Parenthood and the inhumane practice of abortion.  And please continue to pray for the Alliance Defending Freedom staff and their excellent work along with the pro-life community as we work together to stop this injustice.  Excerpted from Alliance Defending Freedom, info@Alliance Defending Freedom.org, December 4, 2015, "BREAKING:  Senate Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood."

Highlights of SFLA works in the Northeast-- New York and New Jersey:

1.  Students from St. John's University, Fordham University, and Columbia University, as part of the 40 Days for Life Campaign, prayed one  Saturday  outside a Planned Parenthood facility where many women frequent for abortions.

2.  Many new pro-life groups were begun.  These include Stony Brook University, SUNY Genesco, Roberts Wesleyan College, Hamilton College, Farmingdale University, Hofstra College, Nassau Community College, and Suffolk Community College!

3.  Training sessions were held to provide students with skills to defend life confidently and always in a loving, compassionate way.  These schools include:  Our Lady of Lourdes High School, University at Buffalo, Canisius College, Stony Brook University, Cardinal Spellman High School, SUNY Genesco, St. Vladimir's Seminary, and The Montfort Academy.

4.  St. John's University hosted the 2015 Northeast Leadership Summit in the Fall with over 40 students in attendance!

5.  So much credit for helping to educate students and spread the "good word" goes to Keri Landeche for her support, help and encouragement in helping  students  to know the truth and to ensure  a future for a pro-life generation.

"Merry Christmas," Keri Landeche, Northeast Regional Coordinator Students for Life of America, 504-756-6356, klandeche@studentsforlife.org. December 5, 2015. 


  

First Retreat on Long island--Saturday,  December 12, 2015, at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Long Island.   Open to men and women.

Retreats are led by the Sisters of Life and by women who have experienced both the suffering of abortion and the joy of healing in Christ.  The retreats are directed by faithful priests who have a sensitivity and a heart for those who suffer.  Sacramental Confession and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are offered.

For more information or to register, contact:
Sisters of Life 866-575-0075  (toll free)  hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org          or
Theresa Bonapartis  877-586-4621 (toll free) Lumina@postabortionhelp.org

dtellis@drvc.org, December 3, 2015, Respect Life Office, Diocese of Rockville Centre/

E-mail or Call Your Representative and tell them:

• Please support the re-authorization of ESEA.   Passage of The Student Success Act will be the first step towards correcting the inequities of No Child Left Behind including the improvement of the consultation requirements and other conditions connected with providing equitable services for students and teachers in religious, private and independent schools.

• As the U.S. Bishops reiterated in their 2005 statement Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium, “government at all levels, acting in partnership with parents, has a responsibility to provide adequate professional and material resources to assist all children to attain a quality education.”

• The Student Success Act’s provisions related to improving access to services to students in need and their teachers, regardless of where they attend school, makes a substantial contribution to putting the needs of students and their families first.

Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of Catholic Education!

Contact the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

Ninety-four (94) Assembly members voted for this horrendous bill (AB 6221).  

These legislators demonstrate their receptivity to the pro-abortion groups NARAL and Planned Parenthood, to the propaganda they promote and to the multi-billion dollar abortion business. .

 They are certainly not representing the good of the people of NYS and of those who stand up for the Right to Life for the unborn and for women, men and the family.

 NYS is already named as the “Abortion Capitol of the Nation”—a nasty and unwelcome title—which is unreflective of the stance of the great majority of New Yorkers.

You need to contact Senator Majority Leader, Senator Skelos, Assembly Leader, Assemblyman Heastie, and your local NYS Senator and Assembly person and let them know that AB 6221 is trash and belongs in the trash bin.                  

 It is not for the good of men and women. It is certainly not for the good of the new life waiting to be born.

Electing good legislators who can be relied upon to help enact good legislation is your responsibility—make your voice heard—your voice and your vote counts!                                          

--Florence

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From: Lori Kehoe [mailto:lorikehoe@aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2015 12:14 AM
To: lorikehoe@aol.com
Subject: Fwd: NYS Assembly Passes Dangerous Abortion Expansion


Please click here to read this message in a web browser if message does not view properly in your email.

 
For immediate release:                                                                            For more information: 
Wednesday, March 25, 2015                                                                     Jessica Rodgers (518) 434-1293                                                                                                                                  JessicaR@nysrighttolife.org

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES DANGEROUS  
EXPANSION OF ABORTION IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER

ALBANY – Today in a vote of 94-49 the New York State Assembly approved passage of AB 6221, the extreme stand-alone 10th point from the previously packaged 10-point Women's Equality Act, which would expand third-trimester abortions and allow non-doctors to perform abortions. Since 2013, abortion advocates have been holding the Women's Equality Act hostage to this single dangerous bill, refusing to break the 10-point bill up. This session, however, the will of the voters was finally heard, and the stand-alone bills have been considered. 

"Expanding cruel and brutal third-trimester abortions has long been a goal of the anti-life lobby who never met an abortion they didn't like," said Lori Kehoe, New York State Right to Life executive director. "With no regard for the fully developed unborn baby who is violently dismembered, or otherwise killed, the New York State Assembly once again put the abortion lobby above New York State women and their children." 

AB 6221, sponsored by Assemblywoman Glick, would change existing New York State law, which currently allows for abortion in the third trimester when the mother's life is in danger, to allow abortion on-demand throughout all nine months. The law would be changed to allow abortion for any reason deemed "relevant to the well-being of the patient" including physical, emotional, psychological, and familial factors, and the mother's age. 

AB 6221 has no interest in the life of the living, developed, unborn human child, stripping away any protections the smallest members of our human family have. 

"We now look once again to the Senate to hold the line in defense of the children which happens to also be in accordance with the will of the rest of the people," added Kehoe. "It is ridiculous that in 2015, with all the technology at our disposal, we are still arguing whether or not an eight month old baby in the womb deserves protection. It is doubtful that our descendants will look kindly upon this period in our history, when we fought for the right to dismember babies weeks, days and even minutes before birth."   

New York State Right to Life will be discussing this and other attacks on members of the human family at our free-to-the-public Lobby for Life Day on April 29 at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.  


New York State Right to Life is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in New York. An affiliate of National Right to Life, NYSRTL works through education, legislation, and political action to protect the unborn, elderly, and medically vulnerable among us.

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