Author Archives: rocklandrtl

Sean Miller to Appear at Hillsdale Library

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seanmillerSean Miller, prolife author and guest blogger for this site, will introduce his new book, Full of Life, at a  “Meet the Author,” presentation at the Hillsdale Library in Hillsdale, N.J. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 pm.

He will be joined by staff of the New Hope Pregnancy Center in Englewood, N.J., an outreach organization for first-time single mothers in a crisis pregnancy situation. New Hope provides subsidies for housing, daycare, education, and counseling and commits to  new mothers, helping them tend to their everyday and emergency needs via a one-on-one Mentor support system.

Come out to support Sean and hear about New Hope and his new book. The address of the Hillsdale Library is 509 Hillsdale Ave, Hillsdale, NJ 07642, It’s only 13 minutes from Pearl River, an easy drive.

Children Lost to Abortion Remembered

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rem-ab-childrOver 100 people gathered at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point on Saturday,  Sept. 10, for the fourth Annual National Day of Remembrance of Aborted Children.

Solemn prayer vigils were conducted at similar memorials and gravesites across the country on this day to honor our aborted brothers and sisters, most of whom never have a final resting place.

The service at the Marian Shrine was conducted by Rev. Thomas Ruekert, of the Salesians of Don Bosco, rem Ab KC.JPGand a visiting priest, assisted by Deacon Bob Pang from St. John the Baptist Church in Piermont, with an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus.

The National Day of Remembrance of Aborted Children is co-sponsored each year on the second Saturday in September by the Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Priests for Life, and the Pro-Life Action League. (Photos by Robert Pang)

NYS Right to Life PAC Endorses Trump for President

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Press release from the New York State Right to Life Political Action Committee:

The New York State Right to Life Committee PAC is supporting Donald Trump for President of the United States in the 2016 election.

Mr. Trump has met the criteria of the PAC on the life issues and he is running a serious campaign.

He has also said he will appoint prolife judges to the Supreme Court and will not approve funding for Planned Parenthood as long as they are in the abortion business.

His opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton is a strong proponent of abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. She supports Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States, and encourages efforts at the United Nations to make abortion a fundamental human right throughout the world..

In an article that appeared in the Washington Examiner a few months ago, Donald Trump said, “The next president must follow those principles that work best and that reinforce the reverence Americans hold for life. . . . it is by preserving our culture of life that we will Make America Great Again.”

Atty General’s Opinion Would Expand Late-Term Abortion in New York

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In the face of several failed attempts in the NY state legislature to change state law to expand third-trimester abortions, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is going the “legal opinion” route.

Holding that the U.S. Supreme Court rulings override existing state law, Schneiderman’s opinion now gives New York hospitals and clinics legal grounding to perform late abortions when the health of the mother — not just her life — is in danger.

The “health of the mother,” as defined by the World Health Organization, is “any condition that may impact her physical, emotional, psychological, or financial well being.”

The Supreme Court adopted this definition, effectively extending abortion on demand for the full nine months of pregnancy for nearly any reason you can think of, which is why on its face “health of the mother” is simply ridiculous.  Abortion should not be committed against an unborn baby for any reason at any time. And, according to the New York State Catholic Conference, Schneiderman’s move is an invitation for late-term abortion providers to “set up shop” in New York.

Bedroom Air Conditioning Comes to Good Counsel in Spring Valley

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3. SV-GV Front(3)

The Good Counsel home in Spring Valley — a welcoming and comfortable home for all

The cheerful little house on Linden Ave. in Spring Valley received a big upgrade this past spring: Air conditioning upstairs! For the first time, the bedrooms of all the residents — expectant moms, new mothers and their babies, — were cool and comfortable, and quiet, now that the fans that whirred constantly to beat back the heat are gone.

This residence is one of the six  Good Counsel homes in the metropolitan area and Alabama, established to provide a loving home, supportive residential care, and community-based services for homeless young mothers who have chosen Life for their babies in the face of incredible obstacles.

6. Sample Bedroom with AC

For the first time, the moms’ and babies’ bedrooms have air conditioning, powered through an upgraded electric system

A preliminary study last year showed that, in addition to the air-conditioners themselves, this older home would require upgrades of a new electrical panel and wiring to provide the needed power. A budget of $8,000 was set. 

Fundraising began in September 2015, and the goal was reached in 5 months! Work began in April and was completed this May, just in time for the sweltering days of summer.

7. New ACs from the outside (1)

A view of the side of the house, showing an air conditioner in each window.

Through the efforts of the Spring Valley Volunteer Team and the generosity of many private donors and charitable groups in Rockland, all the young women and children at Good Counsel in Spring Valley slept well, in comfort, this summer. And a benefit of a good night’s sleep in facing the challenges of the day to come  is no small thing.

There are many other improvements that need to be made at the Spring Valley home and the others in the Good Counsel program. If you would like to help make a big change in the lives of the homeless women and their children, please make a donation to this most important cause.

Rest in Peace, Dick Baker

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The Rockland Right to Life Committee extends its condolences to Cathy Baker on the passing of her beloved husband, Dick, on Aug. 19.

Dick Baker of Tomkins Cove died at home, surrounded by his family. Cathy is the co-founder of Birthright of Rockland and a was member of the group of Rockland prolifers who joined together to fight the legalization of abortion in New York in 1969. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the Rockland Right to Life Committee.

Visiting hours will be Monday, Aug. 22, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, N.Y. A funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at  10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church with burial to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick’s memory to Birthright of Rockland County.
Dick’s obituary may be found here.

House Passes Conscience Protection Act

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quote 2The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conscience Protection Act yesterday by a vote of 245-182. This bill protects physicians, nurses, clinics, hospitals, and even health insurance providers from being forced by the government to provide, refer, or pay for abortions.

Nita Lowey voted against this legislation. Lowey is the representative of the 17th Congressional District in New York, which covers Rockland County.

The Senate now must pass this bill for it to become law.

For a precise and short discussion of why this bill was necessary, read “Obama’s Assault on the Right of Conscience,” (Politico) by David Weldon, former member of the House of Representatives, who  sponsored the Weldon Amendment (2009), which aimed to protect those who object to abortion.

The Conscience Protection Act is the second big prolife victory in the House in recent years. In May 2015 it passed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks. This bill was blocked by the Senate in September.

‘America, God Shed His Grace on Thee’

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Margie Michael

Margie Fitton, co-founder of the Rockland Right to Life Committee, and her son, Michael, were among the worshippers at the morning of prayer for Life and America.

Starting the July 4th Independence Day holiday with a morning of prayer for our nation has become a tradition at the Mary Help of Christians Chapel at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point. With plenty of time left in the day for barbecues and fireworks, hundreds first come here to ask God for his blessing and healing for America, its leaders and its people, and to pray  for a restoration of respect for the gift of Life.

The morning included mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and recitation of the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. The concelebrants were three priests who are known for their prolife efforts in Rockland: Fr. Nicholas Callahan, formerly of St. Catherine’s in Blauvelt and now studying canon law in Rome, Fr. Brendan Gormley of St.Anthony’s in Yonkers, and Fr. John Wilson of St. Gregory’s in Garnerville.

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Fr. Brendan Gormley and Fr. Nicholas Callahan

Wilson Eileen

Newly-ordained priest Fr. John Wilson gives Eileen Peterson his “first blessing.”

The main celebrant and homilist was Fr. Nicholas who spoke about why the prolife movement has reason for hope, even in the face of  recent Supreme Court rulings against us. Drawing a comparison between the impact of death and horror on the battlefield and the response to the slaughter of millions by abortion,  he said that there eventually comes a point of great “discouragement and exhaustion” against the familiarity of “blood, futility, suffering, and death.” That happens, he said,  because we are made to love life, and it’s “what the human soul wants to have.” There will be a turning point where the cause for life will prevail.

And also, he noted, from a theological point of view, the battle against evil has already been  won on the Cross, where we find in Christ the “grace to repair every heart and heal every wound.”

At the end of mass, the crowd lined up in the vestibule to receive the “first blessing” from Fr. John Wilson, who was  recently ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York.

This annual morning of prayer, sponsored by the Rockland County Catholic Coalition and the Helpers of Gods’ Precious Infants, has  become an occasion where many who have spent decades in the prolife movement get the chance to see each other again. Margie Fitton, co-founder of Rockland Right to Life and past president,  was among the worshippers. Eileen Peterson was organist and led the choir.

 

Local Writer Publishes Prolife Book

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Cover imageSean Miller, a guest blogger for this website, recently published his first book, Full of Life, a collection of prolife writings. It became available on Amazon last week.

The book is meant to celebrate the Gift of Life and to provide inspiration and encouragement for all of us to stand up for life and support those in need – both the unborn baby and the mothers and fathers of the child.

Many of you know Sean, who’s been active in the prolife movement since 1994. He’s from “over the border” in Bergen County, but frequently works closely with prolife groups here in Rockland.

His 21 essays originally appeared on this website, but Full of Life presents them in one source. The essays are not intended to be biographical, but if you read them all you’ll find insights into the heart of a man who journeyed from mixed feelings about abortion as a college student to the front lines of the struggle – the sidewalk outside the abortion clinic where he strives – with never-failing love, compassion, and gentleness – to be a “last lifeline of hope” for a desperate pregnant woman about to enter its doors.