Catechism of the Catholic Church
Article 5
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not kill.
You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment." But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.
2258 Human life is sacred...
Please pray Pope John Paul II's Prayer for Life to our Mother Mary everyday to end Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Embryonic Stem Cell Research and the Death Penalty.
Prayer for Life Pope John Paul II
Evangelium Vitae - March 25, 1995
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life.
Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.
Amen.
Please pray The Rosary to our Mother Mary to protect life from Conception to Natural Death.
The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of the Church, the nations and the entire world" (Pope John XXIII).
To learn how to pray the Rosary, click here.
Conversion Prayer for Pro-Choice Politicians
Please offer the following prayer to St. Paul for the conversion of President Barack Obama and all other "Pro-Choice" politicians, concluding with an "Our Father", "Hail Mary" and "Glory Be".
O, St. Paul the Apostle, great convert, preacher of truth and Doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God, who chose you.
You are a vessel of election, O St. Paul the Apostle, preacher of truth to the whole world.
O God, You have instructed many nations through the preaching of the blessed apostle Paul.
Let the power of Your intercession bring about the conversion of President Barack Obama and all other "Pro-Choice" politicians to the fullness of Your grace.
Help our president, senators and representatives recognize the personhood of all human beings - born and preborn.
Help us who venerate St. Paul's memory this day to continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we work to spread Your truth.
Amen.
Join the Catholic Advocacy Network
Join with thousands of others to work for justice in our society and to promote the values important to our faith. Together, we speak out in support of the poor and vulnerable, the sick and elderly, the unborn, families and children. Through the Catholic Advocacy Network, you can stay informed and strengthen the Catholic voice.
Introducing the Catholic Advocacy Network
Quick Facts about the Catholic Advocacy Network
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Need Help During Your Pregnancy or After an Abortion? Call Now...
FREE & CONFIDENTIAL TESTING AND HELP OF ALL KINDS
The Option Line 1.800.395.4357
Birthright 1.800.550.4900
Pregnancy Services Network of Greater NY
Heartbeat International 1.800.395.HELP
National Life Center 1.800.848.5683
Resources for Pregnant Women and Their Babies
Bethany Christian Services: 1.800.238.4269
CareNet: 1.800.395.HELP
Catholic Charities: 1.800.227.3002
National Life Center: 1.800.848.LOVE
Area Events,
Presentations and News
Spiritual Adoption of Unborn Human Life
At The Church of St. Denis
Over 30-years ago a court decision was rendered which legalized abortion throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. This decision, Roe v. Wade, is the reason over 1-million abortions have been committed in the United States each year.
To help stop the anti-life initiative around the world, the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen encouraged the spiritual adoption of an unborn child. All you have to do is pray everyday that your spiritually adopted child be spared abortion and be allowed to live.
It is recommended that you say the following daily prayer for a period of 9-months.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of [baby's name] the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion."
Prayer of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
On the weekend of March 13th and 14th, The Church of St. Denis will begin its spiritual adoption program at all the Masses. There is NO financial donation required with this program. You just need to commit a little time out of your day each day for 9-months.
Your prayers CAN make a difference between whether a baby will be born...or aborted. Our prayers can also be a form of spiritual support for both of the parents. Please share the love of life given to you by the Lord of all life and join in spiritually adopting a baby.
"For more information on Spiritual Adoption click here"
A Lenten Life Chain is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th from 10:30 AM to
12:00 Noon along Route 9 in Red Hook, NY (Dutchess Co.). Please plan to
attend and participate in this peaceful demonstration.
For more details,
click here.
Living Wills and End-of-Life Issues
On January 18th, Father Thomas Berg visited the Church of St. Denis' Parish Center to make a presentation on Living Wills and End-of-Life Issues.
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will, also known as an "advance medical directive" or "medical declaration", is a written instruction (document) that states how you wish to
be treated medically in the event you become incapacitated to speak for yourself, are terminally ill or permanently unconscious, be it as a result of illness, injury or old age.
What is an End-of-Life Issue?
End-of-Life Issues can involve the use of feeding tubes, euthanasia, and other medical decisions that are made as people approach the end of their lives here on earth.
There is a lot of misunderstanding and controversy about these important subjects. For the Catholic Church's
position, please click on Father Tom's presentation below.
Living Wills and End-of-Life Issues
Archbishop Timothy Dolan is the Keynote Speaker
For more information on the conference or to register to attend, click the link below.
Click Here for the Family Life Conference
Click here for information on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' position regarding Health Care Reform and Abortion.
Click here to read Archbishop Timothy Dolan's column "On the Front Lines for Life".
The Church
of St. Denis' Respect Life Committee
The mission of the Respect Life Committee is to promote a true respect for all life, from the moment of conception to natural death.
To this end, one of our goals is to provide information to our fellow parishioners, and the community at
large, regarding a variety of Life Issues. Listed below are many controversial subjects that continue
to cause heated debates. We'll present you with the Catholic Church's position on these subjects,
which we encourage you to support and defend through passionate and dedicated participation.
Being a member of St. Denis' Respect Life Committee is very rewarding in many ways, particularly spiritually. Please join our efforts to protect life from conception to natural death. Your help is needed and it will make a difference.
The Respect Life Committee meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Rectory. For more information about our committee or to join, please contact Janis Bartels by phone at (845) 223-3384. or click here to E-Mail Janis
Topics
AbortionContraception
Death Penalty
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Euthanasia
Suicide - Self & Assisted
War
The excerpts below that describe each topic were taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Abortion
Contraception
Death Penalty
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Euthanasia
Suicide - Self & Assisted
War
Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
for the Conversion of Abortionists
Father John Corapi on Abortion Video, Part I
Father John Corapi on Abortion Video, Part II
Pro-Life Celebrity Jennifer O’Neill Speaks on Abortion, Video
Pro-Life Celebrity Kathy Ireland Speaks on Abortion, Video
U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops on the "Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)
Susan B. Anthony List
Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person
Priests for Life Prayer to End Abortion
Pro-life Anti-Abortion Video: Development of the Unborn Baby
Father Frank Pavone Video - Demonstrates a Suction Abortion
Father Frank Pavone Video - Demonstrates a Dismemberment Abortion
Video on Induced Labor Abortions
Priest for Life YouTube Channel
Born Alive Truth
Americans United for Life
Pro-Life Unity
National Pro-Life Radio
Jill Stanek on Induced Labor Abortions
Life Site News
Operation Rescue
Pro-Life Blogs
Blogs4Life
Defend Life
Good Counsel Home
Pro Life Quotes
Pro-Life America
National Pro-Life Action Center
Abortion and the Catholic Church
The Catholic League
Pope John Paul II on Abortion
Pope Benedict XVI on Abortion
John Cardinal O'Connor on Abortion
Edward Cardinal Eagan on Abortion
The Catholic Planet
Pro-Life Lectures
American Life League: Abortion Issues
Students Turning Around a Nation of Death
Abortion: Medical Facts
Baby Body Parts Trafficking
Baby Parts for Sale
Facts on Fetal Development
The Silent Scream
National Black Catholic Congress
Pro-Life Action League
Students for Life
Rock for Life
When Does Human Life Begin?
Life Decisions International
New York State Right to Life Committee, Inc.
New York State Catholic Conference
Contact Your Local Representative about "Right to Life" Issues
Human Life International
Order Pro-Life Wrist Bands
Silent No More 1.800.707.6635
The Covenant News Reports: The Baby Parts Industry
Life News
Abortion Facts
American Life League
After Abortion
Feminists for life
Hope after Abortion
Life Dynamics
Pro Life Physicians
Pro-Life Celebrities Speak Out
Contraception
Every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil.
Pro Life Physicians
The Catholic Church and Birth Control
The Catholic Church's Teaching on Birth Control
Pope Benedict XVI on Contraception
Pope John Paul II's Statements on Contraception
Contraception: Is its Use Permissible?
Contraception vs. Abortion
United States Conference of Bishops on Natural Family Planning
A Catholic Mom on Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning - Key to Intimacy
The How and Why of Natural Family Planning
Christopher West on God, Sex and Babies: What the Church Really Teaches about Responsible Parenthood
The Contrasting Anthropologies of Contraception and Natural Family Planning
Is Natural Family Planning Catholic Contraception?
The Contraception of Grief
Birth Control and NFP: What's the Difference?
Father Thomas Euteneuer on Abortifiacient Contraceptive
Humanae Vitae and the Culture of Death
Natural Family Planning Outreach
Resources on Natural Family Planning vs. Contraception
Why is Contraception Immoral?
One More Soul
Contraception: Fatal to the Faith
Natural Family Planning - Questions & Answers
Catholic Pages Directory: Contraception
The Couple to Couple League
If bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against
an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public
authority should limit itself to such means, because they better correspond
to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity
to the dignity of the human person.
Prayer to Abolish the Death Penalty
Insight to God's
Position on the Death Penalty
Sign Petition to End The Death Penalty
The Culture Of Life
Bishop Aymond Speaks on the Death Penalty (Video)
The Moratorium Campaign
Sister Helen Prejean's Official Website
The Death Penalty and the Catholic Church
The Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty
Capital Punishment and the Catholic Church
Pope John Paul II on the Death Penalty
Sister Prejean of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille
Catholics Against Capital Punishment
U.S. Catholic Bishops' Statement on Capital Punishment
State Catholic Conference and Individual Bishops' Statements
Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty
Citizens United For Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Death Penalty Information Center
Human Rights Watch The Death Penalty in the USA
The Journey of Hope…From Violence to Healing
National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
Murder Victim's Families for Reconciliation
New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty
Death Penalty Information Center - Resources
Death Penalty Discourse Network
Dead Man Walking School Theater Project
Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo
must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.
Bishops on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Stem Cell Breakthrough
Stem Cell Research and the Catholic Church
National Catholics Bioethics Center
Father Tad Pacholczyk - Making Sense of Bioethics
Father Nicanor Austriaco on Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Video)
Adult Stem Cell Research vs. Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ethics (Video I)
Adult Stem Cell Research vs. Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Video II)
Catholic Ethics Guiding Stem-Cell Research
Killing Human Embryos
Cardinal Edward Egan on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Pope Benedict XVI Endorses Adult Stem-Cell Research
Catholic Support for Ethically Acceptable Stem Cell Research
Cloning and Catholic Ethics
Human Cloning: When Word Games Kill
Adult Stem Cell Research vs. Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Monitoring Stem Cell Research
Stem Cell Research Facts
Media Myths about Stem Cell Research and Cloning
Stem Cell Information - National Institute of Health
Vitae Caring Foundation
Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics
Human Egg Harvesting for Embryo Cloning
Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect.
Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.
Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an
end to the lives of the handicapped, sick or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Father Frank Pavone on the Terry Schiavo Case
International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Reflections on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide by Father Frank Pavone
Priests for Life Web Page on Euthanasia
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Euthanasia
Pope John Paul II on "Life-Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas"
Articles on Euthanasia
Euthanasia - False Light (A Video)
End of Life Care Miracles
Euthanasia and the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church and Euthanasia
Pope John Paul II Approves Declaration on Euthanasia
A Roman Catholics View on Euthanasia
American Life League: Euthanasia Issues
Euthanasia: Frequently Asked Questions
The Catholic Church's Declaration on Euthanasia
Euthanasia
Nightingale Alliance - Resources
Novena for Terri Schiavo
Terry Schiavo’s Website
Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.
Assisted Suicide: What is at Stake?
Myths About Suicide
Suicide and the Catholic Church
John Cardinal O'Connor on Suicide
Because of the evils and injustices that all war brings with it, we must do everything reasonably possible to avoid it. The Church prays: "From famine, pestilence and war, O Lord, deliver us."
When is War Justified?
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ("Just War")
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