40 Days for Life — Week 3

On March 20 -- Day 16 -- Steven Karlen, Northeast Coordinator of the 40 Days for Life visited the Spring Valley prayer site.

On March 20 — Day 16 — Steven Karlen, Northeast Coordinator of the 40 Days for Life, visited the Spring Valley prayer site.

The purpose of the 40 Days for Life campaign is to pray to end abortion. But how? Those people you see down by Route 59 — what exactly are they praying for?

In his commentary accompanying this intention, Fr. Terry Gensemer, National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life, suggests that the closest we can come to describing how God feels about us is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child.

Day 20 -- March 24 -- The Sisters of Life come to pray

March 24 — Day 20 — The Sisters of Life come to pray.

Intention: May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

Prayer: Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(If you click on any photo below, a slideshow will appear, and you’ll be able to scroll through the enlarged images one by one.)

Can you help carry the message? You never know whose heart you may touch as they drive by. Or whose life you may save, because someone remembers a sign they once saw on the side of the road.

Only one hour each week for the next 3 weeks to witness in public and pray for an end to abortion.

We are on public property from 9 am until 6 pm on Perlman Drive, in Spring Valley, and from 6 pm until 9 am at the St. Gregory Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel on 21 Cinder Road in Garnerville.

God Bless You! For more information, click here.

Day 1     Week 1     Week 2

The Giver of Life

Guest blogger Sean Miller

Guest blogger Sean Miller

A few familiar words from the Mass stop guest-blogger Sean Miller in his tracks and lead to a reflection on the power and love of the Holy Spirit  —  especially for those in crisis pregnancies.

The Giver of Life

As Christians, we say the Creed every Sunday, and midway through the prayer we acknowledge the Holy Spirit as the Lord, the “Giver of Life.”

When we recite familiar prayers, it’s easy to say them by rote without thinking. But the “Giver of Life”! These words can stop us in our tracks, when we realize what they really mean.

God is so generous that He allows us to partake in the process of creation. We become co-creators with the Lord, sharing in the dignity of creating our very own children.

As a couple unites, they share an expression of their love that may bring forth fruit, a beautiful baby. And this process of creation — with the power of  God — brings forth the creation of a soul, which is more precious to Him than all the stars of the universe. What an honor and what a deep responsibility!

This reality is often lost on modern man. And that perhaps is why he has also lost his reverence for life.

Life has become disposable. If somebody is inconvenient or looked on as a burden, then we take the liberty of simply discarding them. Is life so cheap? Can we just get rid of somebody because we don’t want to be bothered with their needs?

If so, what has become of us? For a country with some of the finest educational institutions in the world, it seems as if we’ve lost our minds collectively as a society. Have we become so smart that we’re stupid?

Well, maybe stupid is too harsh, but selfish seems to fit. We are the “me” generation, and we want what we want when we want it. And I think that mentality is what has led us so far from the human touch, the times when people seemed to genuinely care for one another.

What happened? Why is there such a deep hatred running through society? Perhaps we need to implore the Holy Spirit more fervently to replace the fire of hatred with the fire of His love — the true fire that will transform the entire world.

The Lord not only wants to give us life, but to give it to us abundantly. This requires trust, which can be scary at times.

But the Holy Spirit reminds us that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle, that he will strengthen us to do whatever He inspires us to do. We only need to call upon Him so that our despair can be turned to hope and our eyes will be opened to see the beauty of the gift of life.

For the Lord is the giver of all good things. Let us remind every woman who finds herself pregnant and discouraged that the Lord, the Giver of Life, will embrace her with His love and His promise to hold her and her precious little baby in the palm of His hand for all eternity.

For more blogs by Sean, just search for “Sean Miller” in the box in the upper right corner of the home page.

 

 

 

A Great Day for the Irish

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A little chilly and gray, but nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the marchers in the Rockland Ancient Order of Hibernians’ 52nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pearl River — or the thousands who came to celebrate and cheer them on.

Here are some photos of the Respect Life group. (If you click on any photo below, a slideshow will appear, and you’ll be able to scroll through the enlarged images one by one.)

Join Us for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday

IMG_5043The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be stepping off at 1:30 on Sunday, March 23 from the Pfizer parking lot on Middletown Road in Pearl River. The Respect Life group will be in the Fourth Battalion, so our group will probably not be getting underway until after 2 p.m.  We suggest that you get there by 1, but please keep in mind that parking in the Pfizer lot may be a problem the later you arrive.

We plan to be there by 12:30. When you arrive, walk over to where the marchers are assembling and ask one of the parade marshals where the Fourth Battalion is. Other groups in that battalion are St. Gregory’s and St. Paul’s schools, the North Rockland AOH and North Rockland HS marching band, so that should help you locate us.

Here are links from the Rockland County AOH website with more information: The Parade program with the full line of march and a map and parking details.

Also, earlier published on our site: Celebrate Life on St. Patrick’s Day (March 23).

40 Days for Life — Week 2

No, it's not Rockland. It's the 40 Days Campaign at El Paso Texas where the Knights of Columbus (Knights on Bikes) came to join in the prayers.

No, it’s not Rockland. It’s the 40 Days campaign at El Paso, Texas, where the Knights of Columbus (Knights on Bikes) came to join in the prayers.

The purpose of the 40 Days for Life campaign is to pray to end abortion. But how? Those people you see down by Route 59 — what exactly are they praying for?

Each day has its own special intention. This one was suggested by Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life.

Intention: That those tempted to abort may understand that their child is already present, and already a real person.

Prayer: Jesus, As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(If you click on any photo below, a slideshow will appear, and you’ll be able to scroll through the enlarged images one by one.)

Can you help carry the message? You never know whose heart you may touch as they drive by. Or whose life you may save, because someone remembers a sign they once saw on the side of the road.

Only one hour each week for the next 4 weeks to witness in public and pray for an end to abortion.

We are on public property from 9 am until 6 pm on Perlman Drive, in Spring Valley, and from 6 pm until 9 am at the St. Gregory Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel on 21 Cinder Road in Garnerville.

God Bless You! For more information, click here.

Day 1     Week 1

Limitless Love

An unusually chilly winter reminds guest-blogger Sean Miller that the coldness of the world is no match for three friends who are filled with “limitless love.”

Guest blogger Sean Miller

Guest blogger Sean Miller

Limitless Love

The winter of 2014 will be remembered as a time of endless snowstorms and freezing cold temperatures. The Northeast was relentlessly battered with frigid weather that made even a short walk to the car feel like an eternity.

It made me wonder how the homeless handle such harsh weather all winter long.

It’s so easy to forget about them once we get inside our heated homes. But I recently overheard a remarkable conversation that showed me that one person had not forgotten about their plight.

My good friend Colleen (I’m not using real names) mentioned that she recently found out that a man she knows was homeless. To my amazement, in her next breath, she said that she had some empty bedrooms in her home, and she was going to offer him shelter as he seeks employment.

She said this without any hesitation, as she willingly and lovingly shared her joy in offering help this homeless man. Her solution to the problem was simple – and immediate. And this is the heart of the pro-life message. Love requires sacrifice, and true love does not count the cost.

Colleen was like Mary, a young woman who has made a tremendous impact in the pro-life movement.

From the very beginning, her deep commitment and enthusiasm bore fruit as she counseled couples that were seeking an abortion. Her sincerity and passion touched the hearts of many young women, who decided to keep their babies.

But she didn’t stop there. Mary stayed by their side throughout their pregnancies. She prayed with them, counseled them, and comforted them in difficult times. There were many trips to the doctors’ office, and she would translate for them when there was a language barrier.

Her love required a great deal of sacrifice, and her commitment shows us all how to love without reservation.

Another good friend, Bridget, was instrumental in convincing a young woman to keep her baby.

Bridget spent an entire day helping this young woman find a place to live and get the support that she needed. However, for Bridget this was only the beginning. She kept in close touch with her young friend for the next 6 months.

She got a stroller, diapers, a playpen and pretty much anything a new baby needs. It seemed as if she never slept because she was always on the move … ready to help.

The day the baby was born Bridget was at the hospital, making a list of more items she planned to get for this joyous mother. In fact, the young mother told me,” Bridget has been there for me every step of the way. If I need something. she is always there.”

Bridget and her inexhaustible energy exemplified her love. This was a love that knew no bounds.

Colleen, Mary, and Bridget solve the problems they find before them by simply loving. All of their stories are great witnesses to the pro-life movement.

The characteristic that personally struck me the most in all three was not the tireless work they did. It was how they answered “the call” to love without any hesitation or reservation.

There were no questions asked. Instead, they acted immediately and the action they all took was to love … to love with a limitless love.

For more blogs by Sean, just search for “Sean Miller” in the box in the upper right corner of the home page.

St. Pat’s Invitation from Bergen RTL

es_nj_irish_1_eHi, Everyone –
The annual Bergenfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held this coming Sunday, March 16th, at 2 PM.
     Bergen County (NJ) Right to Life always marches, but, for the past few years, our numbers have been very small.  We would like to change that by having many more of you join us this year.
     If you can be with us, here are the directions:  After parking your car somewhere (Foster Village Shopping Center ?), proceed to Sylvan Avenue (the first block north of Foster Village) and you will see the many parade participants assembling.  Find a person with a clipboard, and ask where “Bergen County Right to Life” is gathering.  Follow their directions to the correct location.  We are usually toward the end of the parade.
          I hope you will consider coming. This parade is a wonderful opportunity to be a witness to your belief in the sacredness of all life.  We always get a lot of applause, so we are standing (or walking ) for those people as well.
      God bless…                                                           –  Mary Cox

40 Days for Life — Week 1

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The 40 Days for Life has been going on for one week now in 253 locations across America and overseas.

The purpose of the 40 Days for Life campaign is to pray to end abortion. But how? Those people you see down by Route 59 — what exactly are they praying for?

In the coming weeks, we will highlight some of the specific daily intentions suggested by the 40 Days for Life organizers. This one is authored by Rev. Rob Schenck, President, Faith and Action.

Intention: We pray for a renewal of our zeal to offer generous help to the unborn and their families.

Prayer:  God, forgive us when we try to explain away the obligation we have to help others who need help. Enable us to not devalue them because they are in the circumstance that they are in, but to see them for what they are, those, who like us, were formed by your hand in their mother’s womb. Amen.

(If you click on any photo below, a slideshow will appear, and you’ll be able to scroll through the enlarged images one by one.)

Can you help carry the message? You never know whose heart you may touch as they drive by. Or whose life you may save, because someone remembers a sign they once saw on the side of the road.  

Only one hour  each week for the next 5 weeks to witness in public and pray for an end to abortion.

We are on public property from 9 am until 6 pm on Perlman Drive, in Spring Valley, and from 6 pm until 9 am at the St. Gregory Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel on 21 Cinder Road in Garnerville.

God Bless You!  For more information, click here.

Day 1

Voter Education Meeting Tonight

There will be a meeting of the Leaders of  Right to Life Groups, and all citizens from the following  districts: Rockland, Orange,Westchester, Putnam,  and Dutchess Counties
Wednesday March 12th –7 to 9 PM 
Indian Knanaya Catholic Community Center 
270 Willow Grove Rd..
Stony Point, NY (exit 14 on PIP –south make left—north make right) 
The purpose is for voters to question those running for office in the 17th and 18th Districts
invited include:
17th District                                            18th District
Christopher Day                                      Andre Barnett
Frank Morgenthaler                                Nan Hayworth
Nita Lowey                                              Sean Maloney
  If anyone knows of any others running for Congress in these Districts—please let us know.  Let the people listen and ask the questions!!!  Only an educated electorate can maintain a Republic… at the end of this we will have a short presentation by a member of a First Amendment Group—Catholics for Freedom of Religion explaining how they are getting groups started in different Churches…and why; any questions call John/Mary Ann Pennell  845 354 0557

Good Morning

Sometimes the simplest words can break open with insights we never expected. Here guest-blogger Sean Miller tells of the impact of two words we all use every day.

Guest blogger Sean Miller

Guest blogger Sean Miller

Good Morning

Once on a beautiful Saturday morning, I overheard a woman say good morning to a co-worker.

This is something we all hear every day as we exchange pleasantries with loved ones and even total strangers.

 However, on this particular day the echo of those words stayed with me.

These were people who worked at an abortion facility. I was close by, attempting to give out pro-life literature so that couples would choose life for their baby.

Hearing that cheerful exclamation of “good morning,” left me in a melancholy mood. Never would these innocent unborn babies hear a “good morning” from anybody … ever! The irony of it all was striking. Here it was a beautiful morning, warm greetings were being exchanged  — and the cold reality for the unborn nearby was unthinkable.

In the matter of an hour or so these defenseless victims would be brutally dismantled in their mother’s wombs. There would be no morning for these babies, as there could be nothing good that could come from this act of brutality. Who would mourn for these forgotten victims? Would anybody remember them today or tomorrow?

Now, whenever I say or hear “good morning,” I can’t help but think of these little ones who have been robbed of their bright mornings here on earth.

So now, when the morning sun rises and God sheds His light upon us all I try to be mindful that He has blessed me with a “good morning,” and my heart should be filled with gratitude. The Lord, “the Giver of Life,” has granted us a “good morning,” and I wish to make it good for Him.

One of the ways to do this is to remember the unborn in our thoughts and prayers.

Another is to pray that couples in need will find the strength and courage to choose life. If it’s possible, I will witness to life where it is needed most, in the public square. This is where we will find the distraught couple. This is where we can help the helpless baby. This is where we can offer our support and truly wish to those in need a sincere “good morning.”

For more blogs by Sean, just search for “Sean Miller” in the box in the upper right corner of the home page.