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USCCB calls for a "Fortnight for
Freedom" |
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The fourteen days from June 21-the vigil
of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St.
Thomas More-to July 4, Independence Day,
are dedicated to this "fortnight for
freedom"-a great hymn of prayer for our
country. Our liturgical calendar
celebrates a series of great martyrs who
remained faithful in the face of
persecution by political power-St. John
Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the
Baptist, SS. Peter a nd
Paul, and the First Martyrs of the
Church of Rome. Culminating on
Independence Day, this special period of
prayer,
study,
catechesis, and
public action will emphasize both
our Christian and American heritage of
liberty.
Dioceses and parishes around the country
have scheduled special events that
support a great national campaign of
teaching and witness for religious
liberty.
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Life Issues Forum |
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"Fortnight 4 Freedom: Prayers, Witness
and Action"
by Deirdre A. McQuade
In "Our
First, Most Cherished Liberty," the
bishops called for a "Fortnight
for Freedom," a 14-day period of
prayer, penance, education and action in
defense of religious freedom from June
21st through the Fourth of July.
The Fortnight is packed with liturgical
and civic significance. It starts on the
vigil of the feast of St. John Fisher
and St. Thomas More, martyrs who
remained faithful to their conscience
despite persecution by political power.
Archbishop William Lori, chair of the
bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Religious
Liberty, will open the Fortnight with
Mass in the Archdiocese of Baltimore,
the first diocese established in the
United States.
The Fortnight culminates on Independence
Day. At noon on July 4, churches across
the country - both Catholic and
non-Catholic -- will ring their bells in
a witness of solidarity...more
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Married Love and the Gift of Life
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"Christian
Marriage in particular is a "great
mystery," a sign of the love between
Christ and his Church (Eph 5:32)."
The HHS mandate forcing
Catholic employers to pay for and
provide
contraception, sterilization and
abortion-inducing drugs is mainly a
religious liberty issue. It is
still important to explain why these
drugs and procedures are immoral. Why
does the Church teach that they violate
the dignity of marriage, family and the
human person?
For the answer,
read "Married Love and the Gift
of Life." It explains the Church's
teaching on marriage, contraception and
Natural Family Planning. Then check out
more resources on this topic. |
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JOIN
People of Life
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People of
Life
is the pro-life
action campaign of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops. Our
mission is to promote respect and legal
protection for
all human life, from conception to
natural death.
Become a member, E-mail
People of
Life or visit
here.
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Meet the Staff |
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Laura Bolin is
an intern for the Pro-Life Secretariat.
Originally from Ohio, she earned a
bachelor's degree in liberal arts at
Thomas Aquinas College in California and
just finished her master's degree in
theological studies from the Pontifical
John Paul II Institute. Laura was just
married last month and is happily
enjoying married life. Laura says, "I
have had a strong interest in the
pro-life movement for a long time, and
it is such a blessing to be able to work
for this cause alongside such strong
pro-life advocates. Through supporting
the members of the staff I am able to
apply what I have learned in my studies
to practical situations in order to
further the pro-life cause." |
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Prayer Corner |
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Litany for Liberty
For use during the Fortnight for Freedom
Christ the
Lord has called us out of darkness into
his marvelous light.
Let us turn to him in humble but fervent
petition,
seeking the grace to root out from our
hearts all trace of darkness,
and all that holds us back
from walking in the full freedom of the
children of God.
As Christ is our great model for that
inner freedom ...
- Introduction Prayer from
Litany for Liberty
Check out Word
of Life for prayer petitions and
bulletin notes. |
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Mark Your Calendar
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June 15 - Feast of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus
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June 21-July 4 -
Fortnight for Freedom
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June 24 - Feast of the Nativity of
St. John the Baptist
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June 29 - Solemnity of Saint Peter
and Saint Paul
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National Black Catholic Apostolate
for Life
(NBCAL) Abortion and all Acts
of Violence Awareness Month in the
Black Community
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October 7 -
Respect Life Sunday
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