Sr. Mary Elizabeth, S.V., Director of Family Life/Respect Life

212.371.1011 x3186  sr.mary.elizabeth@archny.org
    
 

 

 

Chastity Education for teens

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Cohabitation

  • “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.
  • “Marriage Preparation and Cohabiting Couples: An Information Report on New Realities and Pastoral Practices (1999).”  Available online here.
  • Pennsylvania Bishops’ Letter on Cohabitation. Available online here.
  • “Should we live together?  What Young Adults Need to Know about Cohabitation before Marriage,” The National Marriage Project.  Available online here.
  • “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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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. 

  • www.catholictherapists.com — Catholic therapist network with local NY and national referral listings.
  • www.courage.net — NYC based national organization, providing support/groups for people experiencing same-sex attraction.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • www.exceptionalmarriages.com — Pastoral Solutions Institute offers tele-counseling, seminars and training. Gregory Popchak, MSW, LCSW, Director.
  • 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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Homosexuality

  • 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.
  • Homosexuality and Hope, by the Catholic Medical Association.  Many bishops have sent this pamphlet to their priests.  Available online here.
  • Christian Anthopology and Homosexuality Series, a 1997 series published in L'Osservatore Romano.  Available online here.
  • “Considerations Regarding Proposals to give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons,” by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  Available online here.
  • Courage Apostolate: http://couragerc.net/.
  • “On the Impossibility of Same-Sex Marriage,” by William E. May, available online here.
  • “Pastoral Letter on Homosexuality,” by Bishop Thomas Daily.  Available online here.
  • Persona Humana.  Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  Available online here.

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Infertility

  • “Answers for Infertility,” by Thomas Hilgers, MD.  Available online here.
  • “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.
  • “Begotten, Not Made: Pastoral Care for Couples Experiencing Infertility,” by Steven Bozza MA (Family Life Institute).  For copies, order online here.
  • 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:)
  • 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)

  • “Begotten Not Made: A Catholic View of Reproductive Technology,” by John M. Hass, Ph.D., S.T.L.  Available online here.
  • “The Dignity of Human Procreation and Reproduction Technologies: Anthropological and Ethical Aspects,” by the Pontifical Academy for Life.  Available online here.
  • Donum Vitae.  Available online here.
  • “In Vitro Fertilization: Ethical Implications & Alternatives, A Pastoral Letter,” by Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. Available online here.
  • 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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Marriage (outreach to married couples)

 

Websites devoted to marriage:

  • www.flrl.org/MarriageEnrichment.htm Events in the Family Life Office to support, renew, and enrich marriages.

  • www.ny-marriage.com Marriage events & information, sponsored by the Love & Responsibility Foundation.

  • www.wwme.org The site for Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

  • maritalhealing.com The Institute for Marital Healing, dedicated to strengthening Catholic marriages & families.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • pairs.com A Retrouvaille-type program for those of a secular mindset.

  • marriagesavers.com A great resource for Protestants (or their spouses!).

  • www.gottman.com The Gottman Institute offers in-home courses for restoring marital relationships.

  • 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:

  • Doherty, William J., and Barbara Z. Carlson.  Putting Families First.  Orders available online here.

  • Gottman, John. Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last.  Orders available online here.

  • Healy, Mary.  Men and Women are from Eden.  Servant Publications, 2005.  Available online here.
  • Hogan, Richard.  Covenant of Love.  Ignatius Press.  Orders available online at www.ignatius.com.
  • John Paul II, Pope.  Familiaris Consortio.  Available online here.
  • John Paul II, Pope.  Letter to Families.  Available online here.
  • May, William E.  Marriage: The Rock Upon Which the Family is Built. Ignatius Press.  Orders available online at www.ignatius.com.
  • O’Connor, John Cardinal.  Covenant of Love: Pastoral Reflections on Marriage.  Ligouri: Ligouri Publications, 1999.  Orders available online here.
  • 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.
  • 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)

  • Book:  Torode, Sam and Bethany.   Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception.  Eerdman’s Publishers.  Orders available online here.
  • Article: “The Facts of Life & Marriage: Social Science & the Vindication of Christian Moral Teaching,” by W. Bradford Wilcox.  Available online here.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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:

  • www.ccli.org Sponsors yearly national clergy conferences on NFP.
  • www.omsoul.com Specializes in pro-life and natural family planning materials, resources, and  NFP physician referrals. 1-800-307-7685.
  • www.nfpoutreach.org NFP Outreach clergy & staff provide parish missions and outreach on pro-life and natural family planning.
  • http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/resources.shtml USCCB Pro-life Secretariat’s listing of natural family planning resources.
  • www.flrl.org (click Natural Family Planning), and www.flrl.org/Espanol for Spanish NFP information.  Archdiocese of New York NFP webpage offering information on NFP-available models and methods, schedule of classes, national links. 212-371-1011 x. 3184.

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Websites of General Interest

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