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NY Assembly Passes Bills to Expand Abortion, Provide “Free” Contraceptive Coverage

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Last night, the NY State Assembly passed two pro-abortion bills:

A. 1748, which could increase late-term abortions in the state, empower non-doctors to perform abortions, eliminate protections against unwanted abortions, and even jeopardize live-born children who survive abortion attempts. This passed by a vote of 97-49.  Voting FOR this bill: Ken Zebrowski (AD 96), Ellen Jaffe (AD 97) and Jim Skoufis (AD 99). A prolife vote AGAINST it was cast by Karl Brabenec (AD 98).

A. 1378, which requires insurance companies to provide “cost-free” contraceptive coverage, including potentially abortifacient drugs like the morning-after pill. Passed by a vote of 103-43. Again, voting FOR this bill: Ken Zebrowski (AD 96), Ellen Jaffe (AD 97) and Jim Skoufis (AD 99). A prolife vote AGAINST it was cast by Karl Brabenec (AD 98).

Also, keep in mind that “cost-free” coverage is not really free. Pharmaceutical companies were not giving away their contraceptive products last time we checked. Increased premiums from the insurance companies will probably cover the expense, and that could mean your money.

This bill left in place a provision from an earlier law whereby a “religious employer” may request a healthcare contract for its employees without coverage for these drugs and devices. That will work for organizations like churches, according to the law’s definition of what a “religious employer” is. Unfortunately, it does not protect the private employer who because of his religious beliefs opposes abortion or contraception.

Both these bills are versions of similar legislation, which the Democratic majority in the Assembly has been pushing through on a party-line vote each year. Fortunately, it never reached the floor of the Senate, where the Republicans have a slim majority — one vote this year. We must work to make sure these bills do not become law in New York.

A.1748 — New Abortion Expansion Bill Introduced in NYS Assembly

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A new bill to expand abortion in New York (A.1748)  was introduced in the state Assembly and referred to the Health Committee on Jan. 12. Don’t be fooled by its supporters saying  they only want to “update” New York law to make it consistent with Roe v. Wade. This is far worse.

And before we get any further, you should know that Jim Skoufis, the Rockland assembly person representing Stony Point, is a co-sponsor of this bill. 

There’s an excellent, very readable discussion of the implications of A.1748 here (from the New York State Catholic Conference).

In short, it could lead to more third-trimester abortions, encourage late-term abortionists to set up in New York, empower non-doctors to perform abortions, force doctors and nurses stop participate in abortions, eliminate prosecution of criminal charges for violent attacks against unborn children, repeal legal protection for babies who survive abortions, and encourage abortion at all stages.

This bill has been fast-tracked and could be voted on at any time. Use this  link to send a pre-written email opposing this legislation directly to your Assembly representative.  It will only take a minute. Please do it today. We have to speak up!

Here Comes the Latest Attempt to Expand Abortion in New York

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Yep, here it is — right on pg. 166 of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s  State of the State 2017 report:  Protect a Woman’s Right to Choose.

At first we were wondering what happened. Unlike Cuomo’s previous State of the State addresses where the governor thundered from the podium about his plans to aggressively expand “abortion rights” in New York, the news was oddly silent on this subject.

Instead the governor, in his regional State of the State address — delivered in several cities instead of just at Albany  — was confining himself to matters that were the proper business of the chief executive in New York: driving economic growth, infrastructure repair, higher education, and protecting citizens from cyberattack, among other things. You can agree with him or not on his signature proposals, but this is the kind of thing we’re paying him to deal with.

Yet, if you look at the written report  — and there’s 374 pages of it — there was the perennial promise to expand abortion in New York, codifying Roe v. Wade in the New York Constitution and thereby legalizing abortion in demand at any stage.

Not surprising, of course. On Jan. 4 Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie had already opened the new legislation session with the promise to enshrine Roe v. Wade in New York law this year. (transcript: scroll down toward near the end)

And last year, that’s what the  Assembly tried to do as one of their first orders of business in January. Rockland assembly members Ellen Jaffe, Ken Zebrowski, and Jim Skoufis all voted FOR this measure.  Karl Brabanec did not. Fortunately, the bill never came to a vote in the Senate and the session ended in June without it  becoming law.

But, the push to make abortion-on-demand at all stages of pregnancy a part of New York law will be coming up again in New York soon. We must be ready to oppose it. Stay tuned.

Knights of Columbus Honor Prolife Groups at Christmas

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Winners of the Knights of Columbus McCloskey Council 4565 annual “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest receive their awards at the Knights’ Christmas Party.

Dec. 5 & 12 — At their annual Christmas parties, the the Knights of Columbus Triune and McCloskey Councils again showed their commitment to protect all human life by presenting generous Christmas gifts to organization who work in behalf of the unborn, mothers and children in need of help, school children, the orphaned, the sick, and the disabled. Parishes that are served by these two councils also received donations.

Local prolife groups who were recipients’ of the Knights’ generosity included the Rockland Right to Life Committee, Birthright of Rockland, the Sisters of Life, and Good Counsel Homes. Continue reading →

Hope — A Message for the Feast of the Holy Family

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By Sean Patrick Miller, guest blogger and author of Full of Life.

Flight_to_Egypt_012.jpgHope Comes Disguised

The coming of Our Divine Savior is shrouded in disguises even though He is right before our very eyes.

Perhaps the Jewish people were expecting their savior to deliver them from slavery in a very dramatic and awe-inspiring manner. Yet, the Lord quietly decided to come to His people in an unassuming and obscure way. A tiny infant in the piercing cold winter night quietly and almost secretly entered the world without any fanfare … almost completely unnoticed. The Lord revealed Himself first to the humble as He came to the shepherds, the God-fearing Holy Kings, and, of course, Joseph and Mother Mary. Continue reading →

Jeanmarie Grahn Honored by Good Counsel Homes

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At the annual Concert for Life, Jeanmarie Grahn thanks Chris Bell of Good Counsel Homes for the organization’s recognition of her lifetime prolife work.

Dec. 3 — Jeanmarie Grahn, co-founder of the Rockland Right to Life Committee, was honored for her lifelong prolife work by Good Counsel Homes at their annual benefit Concert for Life on Dec. 3 at the Marian Shrine in West Haverstraw.

The award was presented by Chris Bell, president and executive director of Good Counsel Homes, which provides residential care and support for homeless expectant mothers and their children in the context of Catholic social tradition. There are six Good Counsel Homes, one of which is in Spring Valley, N.Y.

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Master of Ceremonies, Steve Possell welcomes the audience to the concert.

The program of Christmas and other music was hosted by Steve Possell, of the WRCR radio talk show, “The Morning Show with Steve and Jordan.” The performers were the Children of Mary Preschool Choir, Dick Eggers, Toni Lynn Moore, No Boundaries, Ted Simone, the Mueller Family Schola, and Monica Peterson St. John. Eileen Peterson was the producer and accompanist for some of the singers.

The audience, many of whom were longtime friends of Jeanmarie who have worked with her on many charitable activities, joined the Grahn family for a reception in Lomagno Hall, adjacent to the shrine church, after the concert.

Continue reading →

March for Life Bus Trip — What You Need to Know

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WHEN:  Friday, January 27   WHERE: Washington, D.C.

PROGRAM: 11:45 AM  Rally at the National Mall  near the Washington Monument;  1 PM March for Life, up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court. (see route)

BUS DEPARTURE:  From St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack, 10994 (see map) at 6 AM. Please park in the front of the lot, away from the church.

BUS RETURN:  The bus will leave D.C. at 6 PM, and we should be home by 11 PM.

COST:  $30 for adults; $15 for students

RESERVATIONS:  Call 845-735-4379,  845-492-6709, or 845-425-1322 (para espanol)

THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE BUS THIS YEAR, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Continue reading →

Trust, a Message for Christmas

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By Sean Patrick Miller, guest blogger and author of Full of Life.

mary-jesusWhy did the Lord come to us as a defenseless baby? It is so ironic, really. Here, the King of Kings, the King of the infinite allows Himself to be totally dependent on finite creatures that are full of weakness and fragility. He is placing a good deal of “trust,” in us despite our inclination to fall quite easily.

Was He sending us a message?

If the all-powerful God can place Himself in our frail hands then, perhaps in our difficulties, we can place ourselves in His forever faithful Hands. This can be true in any circumstance. Most especially, for the newly pregnant mother. This mother holds within her a most fragile human being that is reliant on her for everything. Yet, in many ways this new mother feels her own fragility as her body is constantly changing throughout her pregnancy in order to accommodate “her new little miracle.” Continue reading →

Jeanmarie Grahn to be Honored at Concert for Life — Dec. 3

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This year Good Counsel Homes‘ Rockland Concert for Life fundraiser will honor Jeanmarie Grahn, one of the co-founders of the Rockland Right to Life Committee. Jeanmarie has been with Rockland RTL for over 40 years and now currently serves as secretary.

Many of you have known  Jeanmarie over the years through her Right to Life work or perhaps have met her in one of the myriad of  helping roles to which she so generously gives of herself.

Whether it’s coordinating nights of food and shelter for the homeless, consoling the bereaved by helping plan funeral liturgies at her church, or stepping up to assist neighbors, friends, or  folks who may need anything from a place to stay for the weekend to a ride to the doctor or maybe  a cup of coffee and some caring companionship  — Jeanmarie is always there. Continue reading →

Prolife Victories at the Polls

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In spite of the nearly $100 million advertising campaign by Planned Parenthood, Emily’s List, and NARAL targeting prolife candidates, we emerged from last week’s election with a prolife majority still in place in both houses of Congress and, of course, a prolife president, Donald Trump.

This bodes well for the advancing of prolife legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortions after 5 months, and the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act. And most important to our efforts is the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, which is made by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

On the state level, two incumbent prolife leglislators were re-elected — Sen. William Larkin of the 39th NY Senate District and Karl Brabanec of the 98th Assembly District. Congratulations, gentlemen!

Unfortunately, the campaign of Wendy Long against Sen. Chuck Schumer was not successful, but Ms. Long never backed down and kept prolife issues on the forefront during the election, keeping awareness high. Thank you, Wendy for all you’ve done for the unborn, the handicapped, and the elderly.