After Mass at St. Mary's, approximately 60 people processed down the street for an hour of prayer outside the building housing PP. This was the first larger public event since the anti-free speech, anti-prolife bill was aggressively promoted by the pro-abortion members of the Westchester County legislature. The bill was vetoed by County Executive Rob Astorino, and the veto was upheld in the legislature.
Brother Youssef, CFR, did some sidewlk counseling.
Troublemakers!
More troublemakers!!
Life-affirming energy held sway at the fourth annual Mayoral Proclamation of Yonkers Respect Life Week. Speaker after speaker gave a powerful witness that covered the full spectrum of life issues from conception to end of life. The multi-cultural, interfaith event's many attendees were obviously pleased to have addressed their too-often dismissed belief that the daily destruction of thousands of children in the womb is the day's most pressing moral and civil rights issue, with concern for the nature of eldercare under Obamacare the newest developing assault on life. Recent statistics show that in New York 41% (!) of pregnancies now end in abortion, with Black and Hispanic communities' stats even higher.
Well over 400 attendees (see pictures below) filled the Polish Center to listen to Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone issue a Proclamation opening Respect Life Week. Addressing the group along with Mayor Amicone was Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York as keynote speaker, and guest speaker County Executive Rob Astorino.
Richard and Marie Brand deserved their special recognition award for months of long and challenging work as organizers of the impressively comprehensive program.
Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Vinas of Lincoln Park Jewish Center gave the opening prayer. Other speakers included the Rev. Thomas Berg, Ph.D. Executive Director/President of the Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person; the Rev. James N. Hassell, Pastor, Kingdom Christian Cultural Center; Rebecca Hodges, Director of Life Options Center; Rev. Mother Genevieve Regina, LSP, Director Jeanne Jugan Residence and Dr. Nanci Coppola, Director, Healthy Respect. Anthony Felicissimo of Advocates of Life was Mastor of Ceremonies. Saint Casimir School Choir and the Kingdom Christian Cultural Center Choir entertained the appreciative audience.
Exhibitors included Advocates of Life, Center for Life, Children First Foundation, Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, Expectant Mother Care, Gianna Center, Healthy Respect, Hudson Valley Coalition for Life, Life Options Center, Little Sisters of the Poor, Lumina, Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, Montfort Academy, New York Sate Right to Life, Pregnancy Care Center, Right to Life Party, Baby Safe Haven, St. Joseph's Medical Center-Senior Services and the Sisters of Life.
The Rev. Abilene Rivera of Westchester Hispanic Clergy was pleased to offer the closing prayer. Her husband, who spoke at last year's event, sadly and unexpectedly passed away within months of that appearance.
That's Msgr. Rielly up front below reading the Program. He received a special award for his many years of work with and founding of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants that continues to help women and change hearts for life, nationally and internationally. Thank you, Monsignor. God bless you and all your helpers!
The Rabbi and Mayor Amicone commiserate below
Archbishop Dolan enjoys the view
Cameras capture the action and the joy
Mayor Amicone, the Archbishop and County Executive Rob Astorino. That's Reverend Thomas Berg of the Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person in the back, far left.
The Kingdom Christian Cultural Center Choir raises the roof at the Polish Center!
Rev. Mother Genevieve Regina, LSP, Director of Jeanne Jugan Residence
That's Liam McLaughlin up front with the sash with the Knights of Colombus
Tony Felicissimo introduces the next speaker, a smiling Rebecca Hodges (c) Director of Life Options Center. The Rev. James N. Hassell, Pastor of the Kingdom Christian Cultural Center, who offered to house the Life Options Center (now six months old!) is sitting to her right. The Center has already helped several mothers give the gift of life to their unborn child. The Reverend's personal testimony about participating in an abortion in his own life was a rivetting moment in a day filled with inspiring testimonies. He spoke of the powerful healing and forgiveness he has received through God's Mercy and his support for Life Options.
Dr. Nanci Coppola of Healthy Respect received a $6 million government grant for her work!
Gerald Yeung and his hard working children Ben and Alison at the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life exhibitor table
Young Charles Rex was equally impressive at the Montfort Academy/Children First Foundation table
If you couldn't be here, spread these pictures and our website around to friends. Prolife event news coverage is always limited and this was no exception. We think that well-attended and impressive events like this should be made known to the people of Yonkers and beyond and the local media has a responsibility to our citizens and their viewers.
This is Mayor Amicone's last year in office. The prolife community will be working hard to continue this Respect Life Week by electing a new Mayor who will carry the tradition forward of respect for all human life and for the sanctity of marriage.
It was Monday morning on the 30th of August when Yonkers saw the Grand Opening of its first neighborhood pro-life pregnancy center for women and families - LIFE OPTIONS CENTER. Their Life Options motto: Where There's Life, There's Hope! Donde Hay Vida, Hay Esperanza! A fitting one with the address at 68 Palisades Avenue near Elm Street, mere blocks away from Planned Parenthood.
Tony Felicissimo welcomes the 87th District Assembly candidate Samuel L. Rivers
Theresa Bonopartis, Fr. Arthur Rojas of St. Joseph's in Yonkers, Fr. Michael Morrow
Dr. Elizabeth Rex of The Children First Foundation was on hand bearing gifts. She is happy at the opening of Life Options Center, and that Governor Chis Christy is the Governor in New Jersey. The Children First Foundation has reapplied to Christy's administration for the Choose Life license plates OK.
The Reverend James N. Hassell, Pastor of Kingdom Baptist Church gave the ceremony's opening prayer and was enthusiastically thanked for offering space on his church's property to the Center that will give women in Yonkers a friendly neighborhood locale for health and family care resources in and near the Center for women and families looking for help and real alternatives to abortion.
Rev. James
Life Options Center has been a dream long-prayed-for by Tony Felicissimo and the Advocates of Life, and made a reality thanks to the Rev. Hassell and the Kingdom Baptist Church. Tony led the day's festivities, welcoming guest speakers the Rev. Hassell, Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone, Father Michael Morrow, Parochial Vicar at St. Eugene's Church in Yonkers, and the dynamic Rebbeca Hodges and Maryl Turchi, Co-Directors of Life Options Center. Mayor Amicone presented a Proclamation to Pastor Hassell, saying that the proclamation meant nothing in comparison with what was happening there today. All spoke briefly before the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Advocates of Life director Tony Felicissimo
Mayor Amicone speaks and presents Proclamation
Rebecca Hodges, Co-director of Life Options Center
Maryl Turchi, Co-Director, Life Options Center
Gathered in celebration
John Goff and News Channel 12
Liam McLaughlin, Mayor Amicone and John Murtaugh
A number of Yonkers public servants and candidates were on hand including Yonkers City Councilmen Dennis Shepherd and John Murtaugh, NYS Senate candidate from the 35th District Liam McLaughlin and District 93 NYS Assembly candidate Michael Ramondelli.
Well-known pro-life organizations were represented by leaders like Dr. Elizabeth Rex. Theresa Bonopartis of Good Counsel Homes' Lumina program; Barbara Meara of New York State Right to Life Committee; Tom Faranda and Judy Anderson of the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life; Richard and Marie Brand and Joy Dichiario of the Westchester-Putnam Right to Life Committee. Many friends and supporters like Vinny Restiano and Levette Bills were also there to celebrate the big opening.
The LIFE OPTIONS CENTER offers free, compassionate, confidential services that include free pregnancy tests; help with crisis pregnancies; parenting classes and health decisions mentoring; and referrals to community resources.
Walk-ins or appointments are welcomed. The hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. 68 Palisades Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10701. Call 914-620-4464.
The Advocates of Life held a pro-life public prayer witness and their annual Consecration for Life in Yonkers on Saturday, June 12.
After the Mass presided over by Bishop Gerald Walsh, Rector of St. Joseph's Seminary, and attended by approximately 160 persons at St. Mary's Church, pro-life leaders were invited to re-consecrate their work to th Most Holy Trinity through the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Songs were sung during the procession with banners of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Planned Parenthood's abortuary at Getty Square in the shadow of Yonkers City Hall. Here legislators continue to turn a blind eye to what is being perpetrated on its citizenry.
This abortion center, and others like it located primarily in minority neighborhoods, is a tragedy lost on public officials who decry racism at the drop of a hat everywhere else! Members of the Black and Hispanic communities, many present at this public witness in Yonkers, see abortion as both a moral aberration and a cultural assault, where their most valuable gifts - their vulnerable children in the womb - are being destroyed. How can we ignore the disintegration of the family that includes an increasing rate of violence against women and more and more fatherless homes with their resulting gang activity, and not lay them at the feet of a society destroying its own progeny?
LifeNet and the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life thanks Tony Felicissimo and the Advocates of Life for their bold witnesses for life throughout the year. And we thank Fr. Christopher, SAC, of the Palatine Fathers and Parochial Vicar of Our lady of Mt Carmel Church, as well as Fr. Arthur Rojas, Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph's Church, for participating and leading prayers outside of the abortion chamber. Join them next time!
Pray for life.
Pray for the unborn and for all mothers and fathers to accept the responsibility of parenthood.
Pray for families.
We are raising generations of "survivors" whose sense of their own personal dignity and worth is being swallowed up by the increasing acceptance of abortion as a normal act, "health care" even. The degradation of the role of parents as protectors of children and the ensuing social implications for these lost generations and for the future of our society as a whole is more than frightening to ponder. It is a tragedy of incalculable proportions already with us.
Mr. Carl Paladino, successful Buffalo businessman, is looking to win the Republican primary, in part, because he is the only completely pro-life candidate for Governor of New York. His platform is one of practical fiscal reform that will halt New York's tax and spend politics, create jobs and incentivize business, and demand transparency and accountability to the people. For these reasons he was the welcomed guest on Friday, May 21, at the Yonkers Hudson Cliff House home of Mr. & Mrs. Steve Acunto. Mr. Acunto is the Honorable Vice Consul of the Republic of Italy, Chairman of the Italian Academy Foundation, Inc., and founder and president of CINN Group.
Carl Paladino, in addition to his business acumen and his Albany-outsider approach to problems, is refreshingly and staunchly pro-life, defending the inalienable "right to life" of all citizens at every stage of life. He defends as duty the lives of all citizens, from conception to natural death.
The Republican primary race for Governor of New York is also monitoring the busy campaigns of Rick Lazio and Steve Levy. Democrat Andrew Cuomo officially joined the field this weekend, a move that has been expected for some time.
An interesting cross-section of pro-life leaders attended the Yonkers Q&A and luncheon that drew politicians, businessmen and women and community leaders and activists including the Honorable John Spencer, former Mayor of Yonkers and former candidate for U.S. Senate from New York; Joseph J. DioGuardi, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (and only CPA in Congress) currently running for the U.S. Seante seat of Kirsten Gillibrand.
Also in attendance Elizabeth Costanzo, President of the Westchester Right to Life Party; Barbara Meara, Chairperson of the NYS Right to Life Committee; representatives from Katonah's Montfort Academy; Ralph Lorigo Chairman of the Erie County Conservative Party, Sebastian and Joy Dechiario and Richard Fuerst of the Westchester-Putnam Right to Life Committee; Judith Anderson, co-director of the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life; Sarah Belair and Mary d'Ablemont of Bronxville; representatives from Healthy Respect, a chastity-based sex education program for youth and parents; well-known local political activist, the Honorable Vincenza Restiano, former 12-year President of the Yonkers City Council; Mr. Michael Caputo and Paladino-for-Governor Political Campaign Manager John Haggerty, among others.
Mr. Paladino needs the enthusiastic support of a strong pro-life coalition to win, and that means everyone! Go to www.Paladinoforthepeople.com Take a minute right now and join Carl's online Pro-Life Coalition at http://Paladinoforthepeople.com/coalition-prolife.php
The Hudson Valley Coalition for Life's LifeNet Online will watch the candidates closely and keep you informed with frequent postings and updates between now and the election.
Wednesday the 14th, for two hours, over 40 high school juniors spent their free afternoon (free because the PSAT's were in the morning) standing up for life outside the offices of the Yonkers Planned Parenthood.
Here is a minute and a half excerpt from the video HVCl took of the Rally. The full video - over five and a half minutes is at the end of the post after the photeos. We decided to post the excerpt and the full video.
Great job students!!!
A few pictures -
Here's the complete video
We're a little late with this posting of the wonderful Advocates for Life Prayer Rally in Yonkers on June 20. The day began with Mass in Spanish and English, including a special blessing and recited dedication prayer by pro life leaders to the work ahead! Thanks to Tony Felicissimo and all his dedicated helpers for their constant prayers and works of mercy on behalf of the unborn. This was a prolife witness that attracted quiet interest and support by passersby.
The crowd begins to fill St. Mary's Church on South Broadway...
On the march to Planned Parenthood at 20 South Broadway for the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet....
Priests in support: Fr. George Kuhn, Fr. Michael Morrow, Fr. Carrozza, and Fr. Joseph Espiallat
Rain cannot dampen spirits...
Young Hispanic men, women and children were front and center!
This from HVCL co-director Tony Felicissimo:
Dear Friend of Life:Today, May 22, I had the privilege of leading 25 Cardinal Spellman High School students in a pro-life vigil outside the Yonkers Planned Parenthood at 20 South Broadway. Their enthusiasm did not let up for the 2 hours we were there (Noon until 2 p.m.). The students had great chants, such as "Life is Good," ( you could see more than a few people on the streets and in their cars either nodding their heads in agreement or chanting out loud in response, "Yes, life is good "). They also chanted, " Pro-choice is a lie, babies don't choose to die," and one they made up on their own, "Abortion is a sin, babies don't belong in the bin." Students held signs which stated: "Women and babies deserve love, not abortion," "Abortion hurts women," "Pro-life: here until no more women cry and no more babies die," and we had one large sign of a baby who had been aborted.Students also distributed hundreds of pieces of pro-life literature ranging from "Celebrate Life" book marks to pictures of babies in the womb and babies who were aborted, and information on post-abortion healing (we unfortunately did not have information on pro-life pregnancy centers). They also staffed a small table with the unborn baby models on it. Over 200 12 week unborn baby models (the ones from Heritage House which have more of a realistic feeling to them) were also distributed to pedestrians. After the vigil in front of the mill we then processed through Getty Square chanting "Life is Good," while heading towards our waiting school bus on Chicken Island. This is the second time this school year the students held this vigil...the one in October was actually shown on News12 Westchester (we did not invite them).The Advocates of Life is fortunate to have the faithful, weekly leaders (in heat and cold) of the vigils outside Planned Parenthood, Maria and Mike Lewis (these are actually quiet prayer vigls as opposed to the more "demonstrative" pro-life youth vigils held outside this Planned Parenthood mill a couple of times a year). Combine this with the witness of the Bound4Life pro-life group which also quietly witnesses outside this mill and we can see how blessed we are in the City of Yonkers for those who obey God's call to be His public witnesses! Thank you to one and all!!!!
Last Saturday the Advocates of Life celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun (go here - LifeNet: Feast of Our Lady of Fatima - 90th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. Prolife Mass, Procession and Vigil this Sa... ).
Songs and prayers, all in Spanish. A wonderful public witness in the heart of Yonkers!
The young boy in red came upon the Vigil and asked if he could join! He said "I'm so glad I wasn't aborted." and is speaking with Advocates for Life Director Tony Felicissimo, who is also a Co-director of the Hudson Valley Coalition for Life.
