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USCCB calls for Nationwide bulletin insert on
Health Care Reform
URGENT!!
Congress is now considering how to
reconcile the House and Senate versions of the health
care reform bill. The Bishops of the
United States have called upon all parishes to
distribute materials calling upon Catholics to
contact Congress about the abortion funding that
is in the bill. Here are the materials:
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Click here for the
"Saving Lives" Flyer.
The above ad may be
printed as flyers for the vestibule or
copied on the flip-side of the Bulletin
Insert. The flyer/ad directs
readers to
www.usccb.org/action where they may send
their pre-written e-mails to Congress
through NCHLA’s Grassroots Action Center.
If you wish to sponsor the ad in your local
Catholic paper and need a different size,
please contact Deirdre McQuade at
dmcquade@usccb.org.
Please encourage
parishioners to pray for this effort as
well. More information can be found at
www.usccb.org/healthcare.
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Health Care Reform Prayer Resources
Click here to download the pdf document provided
by the USCCB, including:
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Prayers for the Uninsured
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Prayers for Protection of Unborn
Children and Conscience Rights in Health
Care Reform
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Suggested Prayer of the Faithful
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Chastity Education
Please click here
to go to our
Chastity- Info for Clergy page.
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Cohabitation
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“Cohabitation: Is it Right for Your
Future?” Pamphlet by the Diocese of
Bridgeport, CT. For copies, contact
St. Peter’s Church at 203-366-5611.
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“Marriage Preparation and Cohabiting
Couples: An Information Report on New
Realities and Pastoral Practices (1999).”
Available online
here.
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Pennsylvania Bishops’ Letter on
Cohabitation. Available online
here.
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“Should we live together? What
Young Adults Need to Know about Cohabitation
before Marriage,” The National Marriage
Project. Available online
here.
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“Pastoral Issues in Cohabitation”, by
Rev. Michael P. Orsi. From the
November 1997 issue of Homiletic & Pastoral
Review. Available online
here.
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Contraception
Download
this talk (or purchase the CD) by Dr.
Janet E. Smith:
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Counseling Services (marriage, family,
individuals)
The following is an informal list of
counseling/mental health resources known to the
Family Life/Respect Life staff. While this is
not an exclusive or comprehensive list, it
includes counselors and mental health
professionals who are faithful to the teachings
of the Catholic Church and who integrate the
truths of the faith into the counseling/
therapeutic process.
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www.catholictherapists.com — Catholic
therapist network with local NY and national
referral listings.
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www.courage.net — NYC based national
organization, providing support/groups for
people experiencing same-sex attraction.
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www.hopeforme.org — Hope Family
Resources is a Westchester based Catholic
counseling resource center. Denise
Mari, PhD, Hope Family Resources, P.O. Box
128, Eastchester, NY, 10709, USA or phone
(914) 793-9508.
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www.maritalhealing.com — Comprehensive
Counseling Services is a Philadelphia based
Catholic marriage institute. Dr. Richard
Fitzgibbons, M.D., P.C, Director, tel.
610-397-0960.
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www.exceptionalmarriages.com — Pastoral
Solutions Institute offers tele-counseling,
seminars and training. Gregory Popchak, MSW,
LCSW, Director.
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www.saintmichael.net — St. Michael’s
Institute for the Psychological Sciences.
NYC Catholic counseling/therapy institute.
Dr. Philip Mango, Director, tel.
646-424-0395.
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2009/2010 Family Life
Respect Life Program Guide:
click here to view a description of the
programs offered by the FLRL Office.
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Homosexuality
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Between Man and Woman (pamphlet), a
short statement from the USCCB that
expresses the Catholic Church’s core belief
and teaching about marriage. Available
online
here.
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Homosexuality and Hope, by the
Catholic Medical Association. Many
bishops have sent this pamphlet to their
priests. Available online
here.
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Christian
Anthopology and Homosexuality Series, a 1997
series published in
L'Osservatore Romano. Available
online
here.
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“Considerations Regarding Proposals to give
Legal Recognition to Unions Between
Homosexual Persons,” by the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith. Available
online
here.
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Courage Apostolate:
http://couragerc.net/.
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“On the Impossibility of Same-Sex
Marriage,” by William E. May, available
online
here.
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“Pastoral Letter on Homosexuality,” by
Bishop Thomas Daily. Available online
here.
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Persona Humana.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Available online
here.
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Infertility
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“Answers for Infertility,” by Thomas
Hilgers, MD. Available online
here.
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“Infertility Journey: Making
Faith-Informed Decisions Under The Guiding
Hands of God,” by Jeannie and Bruce
Hannemann (Elizabeth Ministry
International). For copies, contact
Elizabeth Ministry International at (920)
766-9380, or order online
here.
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“Begotten, Not Made: Pastoral Care for
Couples Experiencing Infertility,” by Steven Bozza MA (Family Life Institute). For
copies, order online
here.
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Pope Paul VI Institute: A National and
International Center for the Study of
Morally and Professionally Acceptable
Reproductive Health Services. Based in
Omaha, Nebraska. Developers of Creighton
Model FertilityCare and Na Pro Technology,
used to ethically address obstetrical and
gynecological problems, including
infertility.
www.popepaulvi.com (Local
Creighton Model FertilityCare Clinic is
currently under development at St. Vincent’s
Medical Center in NYC—see local listing,
next:)
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NYC based Creighton Model FertilityCare
instruction.
www.fertilityobservation.com Additional
Creighton Model practitioners listed at
www.flrl.org (click on Natural Family
Planning).
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In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
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“Begotten Not Made: A Catholic View of
Reproductive Technology,” by John M. Hass,
Ph.D., S.T.L. Available online
here.
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“The Dignity of Human Procreation and
Reproduction Technologies: Anthropological
and Ethical Aspects,” by the Pontifical
Academy for Life. Available online
here.
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Donum Vitae. Available
online
here.
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“In Vitro Fertilization: Ethical
Implications & Alternatives, A Pastoral
Letter,” by Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM
Cap. Available online
here.
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On CD:
“Current Issues
Regarding In Vitro Fertilization” by Helen
Alvare, Archdiocese of New York Respect Life
Institute, October 2004. Can be
requested through the Family Life/Respect
Life Office at 212-371-1011 x. 3184.
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“Living Wills”
Much is heard about “living wills” -- a
specific instruction on a particular course of
medical treatment, usually with regard to
life-sustaining treatment. They are also known
as “advance directives”.
There are many problems with “living wills”.
They are inflexible, and tie the hands of your
doctors and loved ones. Because it's impossible
to foresee your exact medical situation, they
are inherently vague and can be confusing to
doctors. Most “living will” forms that are
generally available are actually “refuse
treatment” forms that create a presumption in
favor of death.
For these reasons, we strongly recommend that
you avoid a so-called "living will". Instead, we
recommend that you appoint a Health Care Proxy.
Health Care Proxies
Under New York State law, a Health Care Proxy
allows you to choose someone you trust to make
medical decisions for you, if you can’t do it
for yourself. It only takes effect if you are
incapacitated and it lapses if you recover.
You should choose someone as your Proxy whom you
trust to act in your best interests, according
to your moral values. You should give your Proxy
specific instructions about your Catholic
values, especially about assisted nutrition and
hydration. You do not need a lawyer to appoint a
Health Care Proxy – all you need is to have two
witnesses to your signature.
A sample Health Care Proxy form, with
instructions, is available
here.
A Spanish version is available
here. For more information,
contact us or download this
information sheet.
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Marriage (outreach to married couples)
Websites devoted to marriage:
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www.flrl.org/MarriageEnrichment.htm
Events in the Family Life Office to support,
renew, and enrich marriages.
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www.ny-marriage.com Marriage events &
information, sponsored by the Love &
Responsibility Foundation.
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www.wwme.org The site for Worldwide
Marriage Encounter.
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maritalhealing.com The Institute for
Marital Healing, dedicated to strengthening
Catholic marriages & families.
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smartmarriages.com Smart Marriages is an
offshoot of the Coalition for Marriage,
Family and Couples Education, which offers
courses to teach couples the ground rules of
dealing with conflict within marriage.
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www.retrouvaille.org Retrouvaille
(pronounced "reh-tro-vye") is a program
offering married individuals and couples the
chance to rediscover themselves, their
spouses, and a loving relationship in their
marriage.
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pairs.com A Retrouvaille-type program
for those of a secular mindset.
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marriagesavers.com A great resource for
Protestants (or their spouses!).
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www.gottman.com The Gottman Institute
offers in-home courses for restoring marital
relationships.
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www.bbhonline.org Bringing Baby Home, a
research project to improve the health of
new babies by strengthening their parents
and families (affiliated with the Gottman
Institute).
Marriage books and articles online:
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Doherty, William J., and Barbara Z.
Carlson. Putting Families First.
Orders available online
here.
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Gottman, John.
Why Marriages
Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours
Last. Orders available
online
here.
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Healy, Mary. Men and Women are
from Eden. Servant Publications,
2005. Available online
here.
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Hogan, Richard. Covenant of
Love.
Ignatius Press. Orders available
online at
www.ignatius.com.
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John Paul II, Pope. Familiaris
Consortio. Available online
here.
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John Paul II, Pope. Letter to
Families.
Available online
here.
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May, William E. Marriage: The
Rock Upon Which the Family is Built.
Ignatius Press. Orders available
online at
www.ignatius.com.
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O’Connor, John Cardinal. Covenant of Love: Pastoral Reflections on
Marriage. Ligouri: Ligouri
Publications, 1999. Orders available
online
here.
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Schu, Walter. The Splendor of Love:
John Paul II’s Vision of Marriage and
Family. St. Martin de Porres Dominican
Lay Community, 2001. Orders available online
here.
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Schu, Walter. Matrimonio y
Familia: Un Nuevo Horizonte, La Visión de
Juan Pablo II para alcanzar el verdadero
amor. Polanco: Contenidos de
Formación Integral, 2001. Orders
available online
here.
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Natural Family Planning (NFP)
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Testimonial:
Dave and
Colleen Toder.
PDF
Word
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Testimonial:
Andrew and
Tracey Pappalardo.
PDF
Word
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Book:
Torode, Sam and
Bethany. Open Embrace: A
Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception.
Eerdman’s Publishers. Orders available
online
here.
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Article: “The Facts of Life &
Marriage: Social Science & the Vindication
of Christian Moral Teaching,” by W. Bradford
Wilcox. Available online
here.
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Booklet: “An Introduction
to Natural Family Planning: Diocesan
Development Program for Natural Family
Planning” (USCCB, Washington, D.C.).
Can be requested either through the Family
Life/Respect Life Office Natural Family
Planning Coordinator at 212-371-1011,
extinsion 3184, or through the USCCB at
866-582-0943 or online
here.
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Cassette Tape: “La Belleza
de la Sexualidad,” (Spanish introduction to
moral teaching on NFP, May 2005).
Can be requested through the Family
Life/Respect Life Office, Spanish
Coordinator at 212-371-1011, extension 3197.
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CD: “Contraception Why
Not”/“Anticoncepción: Por qué no”
(translated from the English talk) by Janet
Smith. Can be requested in English or
Spanish directly through One More Soul
at 800-307-7685.
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Flyer: Archdiocese of New York
Natural Family Planning flyer (with website/
2006 class schedule sticker). Can be
requested through the Family Life/Respect
Life Office, Natural Family Planning
Coordinator at 212-371-1011, ext. 3184.
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Video (VHS): “Postponing or
Achieving Pregnancy in a Healthy & Reliable
Way: Natural Family Planning: This is NOT
the Rhythm Method!” A 23 minute video on NFP
produced by the Diocese of Brooklyn Pastoral
Communications & Family/Respect Life
Ministry. Orders available through: Pastoral
Communications. 1712 10th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 499-9705.
www.pastcomm.org
NFP Websites:
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Host
pure movie screenings at your Parish:
The vision of Pure Flix Cinema is to help
the Church connect more deeply with people
through our featured films. Through the
utilization of public showings of these select
faith based Christian films and film clips we
are accessing one of the most powerful media
tools to reach our generation
www.pureflixcinema.com
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Websites of General Interest
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