From the Desk of Deacon Steve Schumer

Transcription

1 Office of Pro-Life Activities / St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center Newsletter Diocese of Buffalo (716) Main Street, Buffalo, NY Church Street, Buffalo, NY July - September Respect for Life-a chain no stronger than its weakest link. Those who value all lives equally are challenged to make each link as strong as it can possibly be. CONTACT Office of Pro-Life Activities Pro-Lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Director, Cheryl M. Calire Adm. Assistant, Miriam Escalante Clergy, Deacon Edward Zablocki St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center StGianna@buffalodiocese.org Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Lunch break 12:30-1:00 pm Clergy, Deacon Michael Dulak Coordinator, Cheryl Zielen-Ersing Mother Teresa Home (716) Clergy, Deacon Steve Schumer Coordinator, Suzanne Lazzara Prayer God of justice, Father of truth, who guides creation in wisdom and goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son, open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel, that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen From the Desk of Deacon Steve Schumer The Divine Office is a cycle of prayers recited by priests, deacons, religious, and many lay persons with and for the People of God. The psalms are arranged in a 4-week cycle. On Wednesday morning of the forth week, we pray Psalm 146: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord! While praying this psalm recently, I was struck by idea that we are not to place our trust in the rulers of this world, mere humans who will soon pass away. Our help, and our faith is in the Lord our God. So much of our media is concerned with the words and actions of government leaders, entertainers, public figures, and even religious leaders. It seems that much of the media is designed to align our opinions with one side or another, to divide us into opposing groups. It can be confusing, and distressing to discern which side to take. This is why we must step back, refocus our thinking, and our energies, to ensure that we remember, We serve the Lord. Peace and Blessings, Deacon Steve Schumer "For you Created my inmost being: You knit me together in my Mother's womb. I Praise you because I am fearfully & Wonderfully made." ~ Psalm 139:13-14 ~ Building and Preserving a Culture of Life

2 USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) NYSCC (New York State Catholic Conference) Pro-Life Activities - An extensive set of resources for a wide variety of Pro-Life Activities for the individual, or for the entire parish. Respect Life Program - The programs begin anew each year on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday in October. It is highlighted in liturgies and marked by special events. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes a program packet each year to call attention to numerous human life issues. These materials are especially helpful for priests, parish groups and other organizations. Liturgical Materials - Materials for prayers, novenas and Masses Word of Life Series - A monthly resource for dioceses and parishes with bulletin quotes, homily notes and petitions. Available in both English and Spanish. Now and at the Hour of Our Death A Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decision-Making, Downloadable on our webpage under Healthcare also in Spanish Consider One More Day Diocese of Buffalo/ Office of Pro-Life Activities Telephone Hotline Numbers Unplanned Pregnancy, Abortion Alternatives & Healing (716) St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Centers ~ Helping Mothers & Fathers in Need ~ Buffalo (716) 842-BABY (2229) Cattaraugus County (716) Chautauqua County (716) Niagara County (716) 284-BABY (2229) Project Rachel - Post Abortion Reconciliation (716) Mother Teresa Home (716) The Pastoral mission of the Mother Teresa Home is to promote safety, stability, and well-being for people who have experienced or been exposed to pressure in regards to their pregnancy. The Mother Teresa Home will achieve this through providing programs that provide shelter, community service, and education referral services for all mothers in need. Healing Mass The Lord called me before my birth From within the womb, he called me by name. Isaiah 49:1 For those who have experienced the loss of a child by Miscarriage, Abortion, Stillbirth, SIDS or any other loss of infant or young life. If your parish is hosting a healing Mass, send us the information Pro-Lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org or by fax (716) and we will publish it on our website, Facebook, and . Stand Up for Life First Sunday of every month 1pm-2pm at Lincoln Park (the intersection of routes 16 and 417 in Olean) with signs provided. For more information contact Colleen at jcrino@yahoo.com St. Mary's Church 6 North St., Canaseraga NY Fr. John Cullen, Pastor Sidewalk Advocates for Life (716) *Rosary for Life with Adoration every 1st Friday 9:30am (with the exception of Lent) *Prayer at Planned Parenthood, 111 Seneca St. Hornell, NY / Every Monday from 10-11am. (except major holidays) For more information call (607) St. Stephen 21 Vernon Street, Middleport, NY Pro-Life Rosary prayed prior to Mass each Wednesday at 5:00 pm. All are welcome to participate. For more information contact (585) Elizabeth Ministry Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Luke 1:41-42 An outreach to women in special times of motherhood to affirm, support, encourage, and assist women in response to their needs during the childbearing years. For more information call the Pro-Life Office (716)

3 Announcements/Events Please continue to regularly check our website for updated Alerts, Events & News July 4th August 15th September 3rd Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, and guide us on the way that leads to Heaven. ~Pope Francis EVERY LIFE cherished - chosen - sent You who are my messenger, in you I place my absolute trust. Our Lady of Guadalupe Respect Life Program Coming Soon Sign up for Sidewalk Advocates for Life Early Fall Training Opportunity Full Name: Mailing Address: Phone: Parish/Group/Organization: Please circle one: DAY EVENING (training will be on a Saturday) To sign up you must send us the information above by mail (Pro-Life Office -795 Main St.-Buffalo, NY 14203) by phone at (716) or by at Pro-Lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org Date and location to be announced

4 Announcements/Events Please continue to regularly check our website for updated Alerts, Events & News Celebrate OUR FREEDOM in Christ this Independence Day It is for freedom that Christ has set us Free Gal. 5:1 NIV Monday, July 2 - St. Bernadette s 26 th Novena for Life - (July 2 nd until August 27 th ) (Every Monday) 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park). First Mass celebrated by Reverend Jim Ciupek. Praying for all Respect Life Issues; for an end to abortion, against legislation permitting physician-assisted suicide, respect for the elderly and disadvantaged of our society. Monday, July 9 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Msgr. David Lee. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. Monday, July 16 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend John Stanton. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. Monday, July 23 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend Richard DiGiulio. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. Monday, July Pro-Life Booth at Orleans County Fair - Theme Children Color the World Beautiful booth is sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lyndonville, along with volunteers from through out Orleans county. Volunteers always needed. For more information contact Linda Rak at (585 ) or Pat Sands (585) Wednesday, July 25 - Celebration of Life The 20th Anniversary Mass of the Shrine to the Unborn Celebrated by The Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Th. D., Bishop of Buffalo at the St. Mary s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Rt. 60, Dunkirk, NY) at 10:30am after Mass we will pray the Rosary Novena for Life. Followed by the Dedication & Blessing of the new location of the St. Gianna Pregnancy Outreach Center -Chautauqua at 32 Moore Street, Fredonia, NY. For more information contact the Pro-Life office at (716) Monday, July 30 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend Cole Webster. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. "The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us. Psalm 67:6 Monday, August 6 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend Ron Sajdak. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. Monday, August 13 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend Michael LaMarca. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. Monday, August 20 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend Dan Palys. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. Saturday, August 25 - Mass and Rosary Novena for Life at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels (202 S Union St, Olean) at 4:00 pm with Reverend Patrick Melfi as main celebrant - The rosary will be prayed after Mass led by Reverend David Tourville with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the block (limiting the number of streets crossed) each decade of the rosary will be said as a group. For more information call the Pro-Life office (716) Monday, August 27 - St. Bernadette s Novena for Life (5390 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park) 7:00pm-8:30pm Celebrated by Reverend Paul Seil. Praying for all Respect Life Issues. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prepare you and not to ham you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Friday, September Days for Life Kick Off Rally at 7:00pm at Grace Community Church (11269 Broadway Street, Alden NY 14004). Opening prayer by Pastor Mark Sterlace and inspiring words by members of WHYLIFE MINISTRIES. For more information call Delphine at(716) Saturday, September 29 - Mass and Rosary Novena for Life at 7:30 am at Carmelite Monastery Buffalo. Celebrant: The Most Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Malone, Th. D., Bishop of Buffalo. Mass followed by a silent and prayerful procession to and from a local abortion clinic (optional) where we join together in prayer. Closing prayers will take place upon our return outside of Carmelite Monastery. For more information contact the pro-life office at (716)

5 Announcements/Events Please continue to regularly check our website for updated Alerts, Events & News 40 Days For Life 2018 Campaign s Kick-off Celebration - Friday, September 21 at 7:00 pm location and time to be announced, watch Diocesan Website for further details. Please join our community of volunteers as we hear inspiring words of encouragement from guest speakers. There are stories of success to share in the mission to save babies and mothers. Our annual event of PRAYER, FASTING, AND PEACEFUL VIGIL will take place in front of Buffalo Woman Services, 2500 Main St. Buffalo, N.Y For details contact Dolly Verdi at (716) or delphineforlife@gmail.com Our website is: Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration with exposition needs a great push. People ask me: What will convert America and save the world? My answer is prayer. What we need is for every parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in holy hours of prayer. ~St. Teresa of Calcutta~ The right to life means allowing people to LIVE and not killing, allowing them to GROW, to eat, to be educated, to be HEALED, and to be permitted to die with DIGNITY. ~ Pope Francis ~ Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament St. Raphael (College & Macklem Ave., N.F., NY) Second Tuesday of every month following the 8:oo am Mass, from 8:30-9:30 am. Divine Mercy (Niagara & 24th Street, N.F., NY) Every Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 pm followed by adoration until 2:00 pm, Divine Mercy chaplet then 3:00 pm Benediction. St. Mary of the Cataract (4th Street, N.F., NY) First Wednesday of every month following the 12:10 pm Communion Service - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 12:30 pm; Pro-Life Rosary at 1:05 pm. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 27th & Independence Ave., N.F., NY) First Thursday of every month from 12:00-1:00 pm continue with Adoration until 3:00 pm Pro-Life Rosary - St. Vincent de Paul (Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY) First Saturday of every month 8:00 am preceding the 8:30 am Mass Prayer at the Abortion Clinic - Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic (Williams Road & Lancelot Drive, Wheatfield, NY) Every Friday from 7:00 am -2:00 pm as abortions are being performed. St. John Paul II (2052 Lakeview Rd., Lake View, NY) Every Tuesday 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the little church and every First Friday of the month following 9:00 am Mass until 4:45 pm with Benediction in the main church. St. John the Baptist (1085 Englewood Ave., Kenmore, NY) has a Holy Hour for Life every Friday at 1:00pm in the St. John Neumann Chapel. St. Jude the Apostle (800 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda ) every Wednesday from 9:30 am to pm. One -hour Novena for Life consisting of the Rosary, Litany and silent prayer from 7:00-8:00 pm every second Wednesday of the month. Blessed Sacrament (263 Claremont Ave., Tonawanda, NY 14223) Every Wednesday Pro-Life Rosary prayed at 6:45pm following the 8:30 am-6:15pm Adoration and 6:15pm Mass. Respect Life Coordinator In-Service Luncheon - Saturday, October 6 beginning with 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Louis Church (Main & Edward Streets) Bishop Richard Malone will be commissioning NEW Respect Life Coordinators and re-certification pledge for all Respect Life Coordinators. ~ PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ~ IN-SERVICE: 10:30am 2nd floor at the Catholic Center (795 Main Street, Buffalo). For all Respect Life Coordinators. For more information call the office (716) Respect Life Mass - Sunday, October 7 am St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo, NY Main Celebrant: Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Th. D., Bishop of Buffalo. Life Chain -Sunday, October 7 - Life Chain 2:00-3:00 pm. or call the pro-life office with any update on your location or if the parish will be standing at the same location as last year; Pro-Lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org or by (716)

6 Diocese of Buffalo/Pro-Life Activities 795 Main Street Buffalo, New York Respect Life Coordinator s In-Service Luncheon 9:00 a.m. Commissioning Mass with Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Th. D. Bishop of Buffalo Saturday, October 6, 2018 St. Louis Church (Main & Edward, Buffalo) Commissioning: New Respect Life Coordinators & Re-certification pledge for all Respect Life Coordinators IN-SERVICE followed by Mass (10:15am) Catholic Center (795 Main Street, Buffalo) For all Respect Life Coordinators ~ PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ~ Make Your Voice Heard Join the Catholic Advocacy Network and stay informed and strengthen the Catholic voice. Sign up online, go to and click Join the Network there is no cost. Click on the Action Center button on the Conference s home page and read alerts on important legislative issues and or write your legislator with just a few clicks of your mouse. Join our newsletter mailing list Name: Address: City, ST Zip Code What parish you belong to: Mail to: Pro-Life Office, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY Or us Pro-Lifeoffice@buffalodiocese.org