Author Archives: rocklandrtl

25th Annual Rockland Life Chain

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Students from Albertus Magnus High School stand up for life at the Life Chain.

Oct. 1 — Today Rocklanders stood along with thousands of prolife individuals across the U.S. and Canada in honor of the millions of babies whose lives have been lost to abortion and to pray for people in crisis situations and for our nation.

The Life Chain is an interfaith prayer vigil that takes place every year on the first Sunday of October, Respect Life Sunday. Local Life Chains were held in White Plains, Middletown, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, and 19 other locations in the lower Hudson Valley. This is the 25th year for the Rockland Life Chain, which is held at the intersection of Route 59 and Middletown Road in Nanuet.

Photos follow. Click on a photo to enlarge it, and then scroll through the resulting slide show.

40 Days for Life Begins

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0927171512b_HDRSept. 28 — For the 21st time, the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in Rockland is taking place on Perlman Drive in Spring Valley, outside the mall where the Planned Parenthood office is located. Fifteen supporters came to pray at the opening hour yesterday. The prayers were led by Fr. Matthias, a priest visiting from Nigeria.

The 40 Days for Life is an international, interfaith movement whose goal is to end abortion through prayer, fasting, and community outreach. Volunteers come to a designated prayer site to pray for the victims of abortion, those harmed by it, for those involved in the abortion industry, and for all who strive to defend life. The prayer goes on 24/7 for 40 days. It is currently taking place in 375 locations across the U.S. and in 24 other countries. Over 13,300 babies have been saved from abortion during 40 Days for Life vigils, which began in 2007.

In Rockland, the prayer site is on Perlman Drive in Spring Valley from 9 am to 5 pm every day, and then prayer continues through the night at the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church in Garnerville. The vigil will go on for 40 Days and end on Nov. 5

Volunteers are always needed. If you can commit to one hour a week, please call 845-492-6709 or email rachelminister1@aol.com. And, as they say, “walk-ins” are always welcome. If you have an hour to spare, come on down. You may pray in any manner you choose. Be assured this is a peaceful event, held on public property.

 

NYS Court of Appeals Rules Against Assisted Suicide

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Sept. 7 — The New York Court of Appeals released its decision today in the case of Myers v. Schneiderman, in which the plaintiffs sought to establish a ‘right’ to physician-assisted suicide under the Constitution of the State of New York.  In a unanimous 5-0 decision, the Court of Appeals rejected the claims of the plaintiffs, affirming that the New York State’s existing laws against physician-assisted suicide are constitutional.

We congratulate the New York State Court of Appeals and concur with its decision, upholding the respect for the Constitution of the State of New York, upholding the role of the Legislature as policy maker, and recognizing that New York State “has a significant interest in preserving life and preventing suicide, a serious public health problem.”

Although this decision means that there is no right to suicide in the New York State Constitution, this does not mean that assisted suicide cannot be passed legislatively.  New York State Right to Life will continue to fight any attempt to pass such legislation.  New York must protect and defend the lives of people living with terminal illnesses and disabilities and create options that value and celebrate every life.

New Driveway for Good Counsel

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Some of the members of the Good Counsel Homes Spring Valley Volunteer Team with their latest project, the installation of a new driveway.

The Good Counsel Home for mothers and babies in Spring Valley received a big upgrade last month. The driveway was widened and repaved, and the sidewalk leading up to the front door was redone. The home’s Volunteer Team, who raised the funds and planned the work, would like to thank all the donors who responded so generously. The much-needed new driveway and sidewalk now provide safe and serviceable access for the residents and all who come to the Spring Valley home on business or to carry on the work of Good Counsel.

July 4 — Praying for Life and for America

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Rockland Right to Life Co-Founders Jeanmarie Grahn and Margaret Fitton at the 2017 Vigil for Life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 4 —  Independence Day 2017 was marked by the annual Vigil for Life at the Marian Shrine in West Haverstraw.

The morning included the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the recitation of the Rosary and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Nicholas Callahan, assisted by Deacon Bob Pang of St. John’s in Piermont.

The vigil was co-sponsored by the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants and the Rockland County Catholic Coalition.

Fr NC and Eileen

Fr. Nicholas Callahan and Eileen Peterson.

NY Legislative Session Ends With No Anti-Life Bills

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Thankfully, the New York State Senate and Assembly adjourned on Wednesday, June 21, without taking up three anti-life measures. The bills had all been referred to various committees and progressed no further, with no committee votes or floor votes being taken.

A.3693 (S.159) — Additional funding to Planned Parenthood

A.6959A (S. 17A) — Allowing payment to surrogate mothers

A.02383 (S.03151) — Allowing assisted suicide (medical doctors to prescribe drugs to help patients end their lives)

While we’re relieved that none of these bills were passed into law during this session, it’s quite likely they will all be reintroduced next year. There’s even a possibility that the legislature may reconvene over the summer and might take up any of these.  So please stay vigilant, informed, and let your state legislators know what you think about these issues.

Bill Proposes Payment for Surrogacy in NY

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Surrogacy is when a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy she did not conceive. The egg is fertilized outside the body and then implanted into the “surrogate mother” who carries the baby to term and then gives the child to the person or couple who commissioned the pregnancy. This bill would allow payment to the surrogate mother, thus introducing the possibility of “making parenthood a commercial enterprise” as well as exploiting a poorer woman who would carry the baby because she needs the money.  memo on Surrogacy bill-S17A, A6959A copy

House of Representatives Passes ‘American Health Care Act’ as First Step to Repeal Obamacare

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A bill to repeal major portions of Obamacare passed the House of Representative Thursday by a vote of 217-212. Not one single Democrat voted for it. The bill now goes to the Senate for their consideration and will probably face major revisions there.

The bill, The American Health Care Act, contained a provision that would eliminate $390 million of federal spending to Planned Parenthood and redirect those funds to community health centers that offer a wider array of healthcare services — but not abortion.

Also, the American Health Care Act would reinforce the principles of the Hyde Amendment, which has historically prevented tax payer dollars from being used to pay for abortions, thus reversing Obamacare’s “multiple provisions authorizing federal subsidies for abortion, and abortion-expanding regulatory mandates,” according to the National Right to Life Committee.

Rockland’s representative in the House, Nita Lowey, voted against for this bill.