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November 2009 |
Volume 2, Issue 3 |
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Catholic
Bishops on Health Care Reform |
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Over the
past several months, the U.S. bishops have maintained and
communicated a consistent position on health care reform to
the Catholic faithful and our leaders in Washington, D.C.
In public statements and in written correspondence to the
members of Congress, the bishops’ have repeatedly called
for: |
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· a truly universal health policy with respect for human life
and dignity
· access
for all with a special concern for the poor and inclusion of
immigrants
· reform
that pursues the common good and preserves pluralism
including freedom of conscience and variety of options
· restraining
of costs with equitable application across the spectrum of
payers |
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The bishops
insist that no one should be forced to pay for or
participate in an abortion and urge opposition to any
proposed legislation that does not meet these essential
criteria. >
Find more
information at
www.usccb.org/healthcare.
Florida Bishops Communicate with Federal
Lawmakers
On October 28, Florida bishops wrote to
members of our state's
Congressional delegation
to
urge support for
longstanding federal restrictions on
abortion funding and mandates and protections for rights of
conscience in any new health care program. In addition, Florida’s bishops
have communicated with Senators Nelson and LeMieux.
>
View letters
U.S. House Passes Health
Care Reform with Pro-Life Provision
On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed
a health care reform bill on a 220-215
vote. The bill includes the Stupak Amendment
which
passed 240-194 and
upholds established policies against federal funding of
abortion.
The Conference thanks all those who contacted their
representative. Your action helped to ensure this
life-saving measure was allowed to be heard and passed.
Senate to Debate Reform:
Request for Additional Action
Please urge our two U.S. Senators to
support adoption of the
House-approved Stupak Amendment and make health care affordable and accessible. Also, tell your U.S. Representative you are pleased the House bill maintains
current policy
against federal funding of abortion and urge him/her to
ensure that this essential provision is included in any
final bill sent to the President.
>
Take action now |
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Conference Officials Meet with
Florida Senate President
On November 3, 2009, senior staff of the
Florida Catholic Conference met with Senate President Jeff Atwater to
discuss key public policy issues expected to be in play during the 2010 Regular
Legislative Session. Among the issues discussed were: amendments to the
Parental Notice of Abortion Act; expansion of Florida Tax Credit
Scholarships; second chance for children in prison; ultrasound
requirement prior to abortion; assisted reproductive technology; funding for
pregnancy support services and Medicaid funding. |
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Florida Catholic Conference to Launch Pilot Project on Human Trafficking Awareness
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee
Services (USCCB/MRS) has been a leader in the fight against human
trafficking. Through a partnership with the federal
government and other anti-trafficking organizations, USCCB/MRS has created a
national network that provides services and support for rescued victims. In
the near future, USCCB/MRS intends to launch a public awareness campaign
that targets three main audiences: students who attend Catholic colleges
and universities, including campus ministry programs at state universities;
Mass-attending Catholics of all ages; and Catholic health facilities.
Florida and California have been selected as the two states to initiate
pilot projects for this public awareness campaign. Early in 2010, staff at
the Florida Catholic Conference will, on behalf of the Florida bishops,
establish an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives with access to the
targeted audiences. |
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Catholic School Students
Participate in State Scholarship Programs |
2009-2010
Voucher/Scholarship Totals
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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
TOTAL |
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McKay Scholarship Program Students |
1569 |
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Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program Students |
3202 |
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Voluntary Pre-K Program Students |
1832 |
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Total Number of Scholarship Students in Florida Catholic
Schools |
6603 |
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Catholic Schools Participating in McKay Scholarship
Program |
91 |
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Catholic Schools Participating in FTC Program |
125 |
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Catholic Schools Participating in VPK Program |
63 |
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Total Catholic Schools in Scholarship Programs |
152 |
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Total Catholic Schools in Florida |
215 |
>
Click here
for scholarship totals by (Arch)diocese |
Every possible effort should be made to ensure
Catholic schools, despite financial difficulties, continue to provide
education to the poor and marginalized.
(Ecclesia
in America, No. 71)
- John
Paul II
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Florida Personhood Amendment: Why the
Bishops Do Not Actively Support
The Florida bishops have worked for many years towards the goal of
establishing full legal recognition of life from its very beginning to
natural end and appreciate the intentions of those proposing the
personhood amendment. However, because of certain belief that the
amendment if passed would be invalidated by the courts, as well as the
potential for serious consequences, it is not prudent to pursue the
amendment at this time. A better course of action is to continue
pursuing incremental changes to our state laws that will protect unborn
life. The bishops are hopeful that ways can be found that allow all
prolife groups to work together towards the same end of protecting and
defending human life at every stage.
>
Full statement from the bishops of Florida |
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Province Policy on Charitable
Giving
Background: The Catholic Church and its entities are
compelled by the Gospel to be socially responsible stewards who promote
the protection of human life and the common good. As our society faces
ever more complex technological and bioethical issues, the Florida
Bishops have a moral responsibility to shape the dialogue with
corporate, bioethical and community organizations engaged in or
supporting initiatives that many of our laity endorse "in good faith"
but whose mission or affiliation may be morally objectionable or, at
least, questionable. The Florida Bishops call upon pastors, clergy and
the lay faithful to use guidelines based on the virtue of prudence and
justice when making charitable giving decisions.Church teaching: All life is sacred and must be
protected. This is why we do not support or endorse individuals,
companies or organizations whose activities include direct participation
in or indirect support of abortion, reproductive/family planning rights,
contraception, and embryonic stem cell research.
Guidelines: When evaluating the appropriateness
of making a donation to a community or national foundation, individuals,
parishes and Catholic schools are asked to consider whether the
organization supports partisan public policy efforts or endorses
political party candidates and agendas. The mission of the
organization/foundation should be considered as to its consistency with
Catholic Church teaching particularly as it pertains to the sacredness
and dignity of human life. Parish facilities should not be used to
promote, endorse or fundraise for such organizations if their policies
are contrary to Church teaching.
It may be generally advised that only Catholic
organizations, entities and others who support Catholic teaching be
permitted to utilize parish and diocesan facilities for fundraising
purposes. This, however, is strictly determined by the Ordinary of each
diocese. As a general rule, individuals, parishes and Catholic schools
should only support those organizations that are listed in the Kennedy
Directory.
>
Full policy, including alternatives for
giving |
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Novena of the
Holy Innocents
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Heavenly Father,
“By their wordless
profession of faith in your Son, the Holy Innocents were crowned
with life at His birth.”* Knowing how precious they are to you and
how similar they are to the millions of innocent lives lost through
abortion, we call on them to join in our prayer:
1.
That all our
elected leaders, legislators, and judges may come to acknowledge the
humanity of every child in the womb and enact laws and policies to
defend them, we pray:
Lord, hear our prayer.
2.
That
everyone throughout the world may be given the light to see beyond
all doubt the uniqueness and full humanity of every child who has
ever been conceived, we pray: Lord, hear
our prayer.
For these
intentions and in union with the Holy Innocents, we pray as the Lord
Jesus taught us: “Our Father, who art in heaven…” |
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Pray this novena for nine consecutive days any time
of the year. Since the Feast of the Holy
Innocents is celebrated on December 28th,
it would be most appropriate to pray this novena
beginning on December 19th so as to
conclude the day before their feast. (Cf. Matthew
2:13-18) |
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*Feast of the Holy Innocents, post communion prayer |
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Imprimatur: (2009)
+ Victor Galeone, Bishop of St. Augustine |
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State Pro-Life Coordinating Committee
of the Florida Catholic Conference |
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Looking
Ahead to 2010 |
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Charity
in Truth: Seeking the Common Good
Gather in Washington, DC, with leaders from across the United States for the
annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering,
February 7-10, 2010.
The Gathering, sponsored by 19
national Catholic organizations, brings together Catholic leaders to pray
and to learn, to advocate and to strategize, to share and to listen, and to
strengthen and support our Church's social mission and message...More |
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2010
Catholic Days at the Capitol
and 35th Annual Red Mass
Each spring, during the Regular Florida Legislative Session,
Catholics from throughout the state gather in Tallahassee to
participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol. Participants attend a
legislative briefing before attending scheduled meetings with their
elected officials. A luncheon is held on day two for Catholic Days
participants, Florida’s bishops and legislators. |
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Participants are also invited to attend the annual
Red Mass of the Holy Spirit. This Mass, which is attended by state
officials, lawmakers, judges and members of the Catholic lawyers
guild, is celebrated to pray for those working in the executive,
legislative and judicial branches of government. Most Reverend John C.
Favalora, Archbishop of Miami, will be the Homilist for the 2010
Mass.
2010 Catholic Days at the Capitol are being held
March 9-10, with the Red Mass scheduled for the
evening of March 10, 2010. Those interested in
attending the events should contact their diocesan coordinator for
more information. Pre-registration is required.
>
List of diocesan coordinators
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2010 United States Census
Both the Florida Catholic Conference and the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops have partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau
and
encourage
dioceses,
parishes and
the faithful to take part in the 2010 Census.
To ensure a complete
and accurate count, each household is urged to respond to the Census
questionnaire.
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It’s important –
The Census is
mandated by the U.S. Constitution and
Census data
affects representation in Congress,
as well as redistricting of state legislative and
local voting districts,
the
distribution of more than $400 billion in
federal funding,
and planning decisions by community leaders.
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It’s easy – The
Census questionnaire takes only a few minutes to answer and
return by mail.
In 2010, all Census questionnaires
will be short,
10 question forms.
The questionnaire is printed in six languages, and language
assistance guides to help with completion of the
questionnaire are available in nearly 60 languages.
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It’s confidential
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The confidentiality of information provided on census forms is
protected by law
(Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9),
and
responses cannot be shared with other government agencies or
local authorities.
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household in the country will receive a questionnaire in
March 2010 that is to be returned by Census Day, April 1, 2010.
Households that do not return the questionnaire will be
visited by
census workers who will collect the requested data.
>
To learn more, visit 2010census.gov |
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