Church Blog - 2011

A Message from the USCCB dated December 21, 2011
 
Call your representatives now and urge them to protect unemployed workers and their families by extending emergency unemployment programs! The House of Representatives will vote TODAY or TOMORROW on a package that includes unemployment programs.

Current Situation
Unless Congress extends emergency unemployment programs, in two weeks many unemployed workers throughout the country and their families will lose the basic income security that is provided to them through their unemployment benefits.

USCCB Position/Church Teaching
Church teaching is clear: during times of economic pain and high unemployment, there is a moral obligation to ensure unemployed workers and their families have a basic level of security. Last week, Bishop Stephen Blaire, Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to Members of Congress to urge them to extend unemployment benefits. The full text of the letter can be found here: http://bit.ly/rCDRGj.


Thank you for taking action!



 

Ongoing Debate Over Unemployment Insurance and Payroll Taxes
 
As Congress prepares to wind things down for the end of the year, the House and Senate still had some unfinished business to take care of heading into their final week of work for 2011.
 
Earlier last week, President Obama and the Democrats proposed a plan to extend the expiring payroll tax cut and extend long-term unemployment benefits. The bill, Senate Bill 1944, would have reduced the employee share of the Social Security payroll to tax to 3.1 percent for 2012, and put up for a vote on Thursday afternoon. It failed to receive the requisite votes to break a filibuster.
 
On Friday, Republican leadership released a competing proposal, tying the lowering of the payroll tax – a Democrat priority – with Republican policy preferences, such as the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill would be paid for by savings from programs related to the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. However, it is unclear if the Republican-sponsored bill would be signed by President Obama, who has vowed to veto a bill with policy riders.
 
The bill will likely be voted on in the House tomorrow, and it remains to be seen whether Senate Democrats will sign on to pass the bill if it does clear the House. Catholic Charities USA will continue to monitor this situation, and encourages you to contact Patrick Brown, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at PBrown@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org for more information.
 
 
 
Congress Continues to Attempt to Pass “Megabus” Spending Package
 
With the current funding scheduled to expire on December 16, appropriators in Congress are working to not only avoid a government shutdown, but also looking to avoid another Continuing Resolution (CR.) Congress is hoping to fund the government by passing a ‘Megabus’ spending bill that would complete work on the remaining nine overdue spending bills for fiscal year 2012.
 
By passing a ‘Megabus’ on the remaining bills, Congress would avoid another continuing resolution which has become the predominant way the Federal government has been funded in a period of political gridlock. If the conference committee cannot come to an agreement on the Labor-HHS bill (HR 3070), Interior-Environment (HR 2584) and Financial Services (HR 2434) then the only solution would be another CR which would probably run until Congress returns from the Holiday recess after the New Year.
 
The House is aiming to adjourn for the year on December 16, 2011, while the Senate target date is still up in the air. For more information, please contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, at RJackson@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
 
 
Register now for 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
 
Registration is now open for the 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which will take place on February 12-15, 2012 in Washington, DC. Connect in person with Catholic social ministry leaders from across the United States. Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions will focus on Faithful Citizenship and other important topics, and will better prepare you and your colleagues for the challenges and opportunities of the election year. Visit www.USCCB.org for more information, or to complete early registration by December 23, 2011.
 
***
Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.

The Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matter.
 
The Indiana General Assembly will be convening later this month. The 2012 session begins with Organization Day on November 22. This day is primarily ceremonial and sets in motion the structure and organization for the session. Bills will be drafted and caucuses will begin strategy in order to hit the ground running in January. 2012 is the short session, which means it has to end by March 15; this year also the session will be interrupted by the Super Bowl.  With a hiatus in the middle of the session, it will impact the number and scope of bills each chamber considers.
 
Because of the shortened nature of the session, we are not expecting as much substantive legislation as was passed last year. However, it will be important to protect what was accomplished, particularly the landmark voucher bill. It is important that legislators hear from constituents that the efforts to pass this law are appreciated. And Thanksgiving time, when the General Assembly convenes is an appropriate moment to tell them. Please take a minute to contact your legislator and let them know that the Choice Scholarship and the Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarship programs are valued and appreciated.
 
This link:  Contact your legislator will allow you to contact both your State Representative and State Senator to thank them and to let them know that these programs make a difference in the lives of many and benefit all Hoosiers.
 
While substantive education legislation is not expected, we do expect a controversial issue to be a focal point this session – Right to Work. This issue caused the walkout by Democrats last session and is likely to make sparks fly again this time. It was eventually removed last session but an interim committee recommended that it return for consideration in 2012. It will dominate the session and control the fate of many other bills.
 
We do expect legislation surrounding other social and pro-life topics. ICC will again be involved and providing an opportunity for you to be involved as well. I-CAN Updates will be published each week beginning in January until the session’s conclusion. And we invite you to take part though the Legislative Action Center on our webpage. The Church speaks through its teaching and officials and even more effectively when faithful Catholics engage in the process. Thanks for taking an interest and doing your part.


 

Thanksgiving Sharing is one of our oldest and most treasured social action ministries at Saint Luke. Our Commission helps those less fortunate by preparing and delivering 130 baskets of food, including a turkey and "all the trimmings."

We Need Your Help.

Parishioners will gather on Sunday, November 20, to assemble the non-perishable food products in large cardboard boxes after the 11:30 AM Mass in the Parish Hall.

Then, on Tuesday, November 22,  your help is need to place turkeys into the boxes and load the baskets into cars for distribution.

Of course, we also need your help as volunteers to deliver the boxes to the recipients on November 20.

Interested in joining our group? Just click here!

Interested in purchasing a basket for a family in need? Click here to buy a basket.

For more information, please contact the coordinator, Denise Purdie-Andrews.

Contact the members of the Deficit "Super Committee" using the links provided at the bottom of this Alert.  Tell them that rising poverty at home and abroad requires them to protect programs that serve poor and vulnerable people.  Also contact your members of Congress by using this link.  
 
CURRENT SITUATION: The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction ("Super Committee") could finalize its plan soon to reduce the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. The Super Committee needs to vote on a report to be presented to the House and Senate by November 23rd.  But, an agreement needs to be reached soon in order to meet that deadline. If no agreement is reached, automatic across-the-board cuts will go into effect in 2013. Many programs that serve poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad are in danger of receiving devastating and disproportionate cuts.
 
The bishops recently acknowledged that reducing future unsustainable deficits is important, and reminded the Super Committee that their decisions are "profoundly moral, and they have enormous human consequences." They offered several criteria to help guide difficult budgetary decisions. Read the letter here.
 
CHURCH TEACHING: Archbishop Timothy Dolan, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), recently highlighted the urgency of poverty in America in a letter to his brother bishops, saying, "Widespread unemployment, underemployment and pervasive poverty are diminishing human lives, undermining human dignity, and hurting children and families. I hope we can use our opportunities as pastors, teachers, and leaders to focus public attention and priority on the scandal of so much poverty and so many without work in our society."
 
Bishop Howard Hubbard, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, wrote the Senate noting that cuts to poverty-focused international assistance will cost lives. This aid, which is less than one percent of the federal budget, feeds millions of people, helps subsistence farmers grow more food, provides HIV/AIDS medicines and vaccines to prevent disease, and supports orphans, victims of natural disasters, and refugees fleeing for their lives.
 
USCCB has also developed a website that serves as a clearinghouse for resources about U.S. poverty and another site on global poverty.

Contact House Members Now
 
Contact Senate Members Now



 

It is anticipated that the House will take up H.R. 358 during the week of October 11. Please act today!

The health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), was signed into law in 2010. On January 20, 2011, Reps. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced the Protect Life Act (H.R. 358) to bring PPACA into line with policies on abortion and conscience rights existing in other federal health programs. Later, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the companion bill in the Senate (S. 877).

In the House, Committee consideration of H.R. 358 is completed. House floor action is scheduled for the week of October 11. Please urge your Representative to support H.R. 358 on the floor and to oppose any hostile weakening amendments.

In a letter to the House of Representatives, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged Members to support the Protect Life Act, which will do the following:

• Ensure that all PPACA funds are covered by the policy of the longstanding Hyde Amendment (no funds for abortion except in cases of life endangerment or rape/incest).
• Prevent federal funds from subsidizing health plans that cover abortions beyond the Hyde exceptions, so that PPACA will follow the policy of other federal health insurance programs.
• Uphold rights of conscience related to abortion, ensuring that governmental entities receiving federal funds under PPACA will not discriminate against health care providers who decline involvement in abortion.
• Close a loophole in PPACA’s non-preemption clause, so that state laws restricting abortion or protecting conscience rights will not be preempted, and states will not be able to override PPACA’s provisions ensuring that health plans without elective abortion are available in each state.
   

Trafficking of people is a modern day scourge that afflicts millions of people, particularly women and children, around the world resulting in extreme forms of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) established the United States’ efforts and leadership to combat the multi-billion dollar industry. Since then, the U.S. government has worked to prevent trafficking in persons; prosecute those who profit from it; and protect victims. Catholic Relief Services partners with U.S. government agencies and others to prevent trafficking and protect victims in more than 35 countries around the world.
 
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act expires on September 30, 2011 and Congress must act to reauthorize it. If the bill does not pass, U.S. pressure on countries across the globe to combat modern-day slavery will suffer. In this precarious economic environment, more vulnerable and marginalized people may fall victim to those who would exploit them.
 
 Contact your Senators and ask them to support S. 1301, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and express strong support for the following:
 
1.  The bill’s increased authorization of funding for trafficking victim services and strong emphasis on partnerships with organizations like Catholic Relief Services to combat trafficking in persons.
2.  Authorization of funding for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, tasked with assisting governments in responding to urgent needs.
3.  Establishment of child protection compacts that would help specific countries to develop and implement comprehensive anti-trafficking plans to protect children. and urge them to preserve life-saving, poverty-focused international assistance in the upcoming deficit reduction negotiations and the FY 2012 appropriations process



 

Dear Parishioners,

Wow!  Does time “fly?”  The month of September is already halfway over.  Our first-ever “Jubilee Jam” is less than a week away!  As you know, this first-ever parish festival is to help us kick off our 50th anniversary celebration as Saint Luke Parish.  Our liturgical kick-off of the same is the Saturday evening Mass at 5:30.

I am looking forward to it.  My previous assignment was in the Italian Parish of Indianapolis where we had the largest and most successful (financially) parish festival in the archdiocese—the Italian Street Festival.  It was lots of fun and a great community builder.  There is information in other parts of today’s bulletin indicating how you can help.

Parishes should not have to depend on festivals, raffles, or even the good old Catholic standby—Bingo—to survive.  This “first ever” festival is not for survival (thank God!); it is to celebrate our fifty years as the community of Saint Luke Parish.

A few folks have lamented to me that they cannot volunteer because of age or physical limitations.  Yes, you can!  You are on the Prayer Committee.  Pray for good weather for next Saturday and for the success of the Jubilee Jam.  And if it does rain, don’t blame me.  I am in sales, not management.

In any case, let’s all get behind our “Jubilee Jam” on September 24.  I hope to see you and your family there.  I will be hosting a “special event”.  It’s a fun version of “Catholic Jeopardy,” very similar to the television program of the same name.  I will be conducting a couple sessions in the Fr. Courtney Room just off the Narthex.  It should be lots of fun.

Other than that, I will be assisting the Indiana State Board of Health by making frequent visits to the food and drink booths.  I will try to sample as much food and drink as I can so as to insure the safety and good health of all those who attend our “Jubilee Jam”.  I am always ready to help out in such a way.

From time to time people ask me about our coming “associate pastor.”  Well, I am not sure when he is coming or who he is.  In fact, all that I know that he will be a “he.”  I am hoping he will arrive sometime before Thanksgiving.  As you know, one of our former pastors, Father Steve Giannini, is the Vicar for Clergy.  It’s up to him to make this happen.  He tries to avoid me whenever I see him.

However, Father Giannini was here this week for a funeral and I pinned him down.  I chased him across the football field and tackled him at about the 20-yard line.  When he got his breath, he told me that he is not even sure himself about when and who on the new associate.  I believe him.  Too bad he had to risk a cracked rib just to tell me that much.

In the meantime, I am very grateful for the assistance of Father Jeff Godecker.  Father Jeff is most generous with his time even thought his plate is full in his ministry at the Butler University Newman Center.  You see Father Godecker most often on Saturday evenings.  If you want to know my Saturday comings and goings, it basically coincides with the Notre Dame home football schedule.

Speaking of Notre Dame, how quickly our moods can change.  I went to a wedding reception last Saturday night.  When I got home before ten o’clock, I was in a good mood.  I turned on the television to catch the last half of the Notre Dame—Michigan game.  When I saw the score I was even in a better mood.

By the end of the game and the resulting loss for the Fighting Irish, I was so upset I could not sleep.  (I know this sounds stupid, but when you don’t have a wife and kids of your own, you have to settle for getting upset over basically dumb things.)

To top it off, the next morning at the 7:30 Mass, some guy had the nerve to wear a Michigan sweatshirt.  I’m not sure, but I think that statue of Our Lady in church was weeping at the sight.  I thought about refusing him Communion, but I think there is some Canon Law about not refusing people the Sacred Host except for very grave reasons.  (Unfortunately, these Italians that write up Canon Law don’t even know Our Lady’s University even exists.)  O, well.

I had a chance to greet our Sunday Morning Religious Education students, their catechists, and some of their parents last Sunday morning.  I am anxious to see them often and regularly during their sessions between the last two Sunday Masses.

Time is such a precious commodity when it comes to religious education.  Compared to the students in Catholic School, we get precious little time with these wonderful youngsters to share the treasure of our Catholic Faith.  Parents, please keep them regular in their attendance and on time.  Thanks for making this a priority.

One last thing—an appeal for help:  Please close the doors.  All too often, the church doors are left standing wide open after Masses and even before Masses.  If you see an open door, and no one else is coming or going, please close it.  I know we deserve and like the very best at Saint Luke, but air conditioning or heating the parking lot is simply cost prohibitive.

Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:  Providence never fails!

Faithfully yours in Providence that so far has not failed us,

Rev. Joseph F. Schaedel

Conscience Rights Violated by Sweeping HHS Contraceptive Mandate
 
In implementing the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the new health care reform law), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued a rule requiring almost all private health plans to cover contraception and sterilization as “preventive services” for women. The mandate even forces individuals and groups with religious or moral objections to purchase and provide such coverage if they are to receive or provide health coverage at all. This poses an unprecedented threat to individual and institutional religious freedom.

The rule includes a religious exemption so extremely narrow that it protects almost no one. It covers only a “religious employer” that has the “inculcation of religious values” as its purpose, primarily employs and serves persons who share its religious tenets, and is a church organization under two narrow provisions of the tax code. A great many religious organizations -- including Catholic colleges and universities, as well as hospitals and charitable institutions that serve the public -- will be ineligible. Individuals and religiously affiliated health insurers will not qualify for the exemption.

The new rule would force insurance plans to cover “all Food and Drug Administration approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity.” Never before has the federal government required private health plans to include such coverage. The FDA-approved “emergency contraception” (EC) drugs that are covered by this mandate can work by interfering with implantation of a newly conceived human being. Also, the drug the FDA most recently approved for EC, "Ella,” a close analogue to the abortion drug RU-486, has been shown in animal tests to cause abortion. Thus, the mandate includes drugs that may cause an abortion both before and after implantation.

The public comment period on this interim final rule ends September 30.

Please send an e-mail message to HHS by visiting www.usccb.org/conscience. Once you send your comments to HHS, you will be automatically invited to send a message to your elected representatives in Congress, urging them to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179/S. 1467) to ensure that such federal mandates do not violate Americans’ moral and religious convictions.




 

Dear Parishioners,

The excitement is building—our first-ever “Jubilee Jam” is less than two weeks away!  As you know, this first-ever parish festival is to help us kick off our 50th Anniversary celebration as Saint Luke Parish.  Our liturgical kick-off of the same is the Saturday evening Mass at 5:30.

At this writing, we are still in need of volunteers to help in all sorts of ways.  There is information in other parts of today’s bulletin indicating how you can help.  As I’ve mentioned before in this letter, over the years lots of parishes did away with parish festivals in favor of an approach that more reflects the notion of Christian Stewardship.

Parishes should not have to depend on festivals, raffles, or even the good old Catholic standby—Bingo—to survive.  (That’s not the purpose of this festival either.)  Our parishes and schools need to be supported by our Catholic people who realize that one of our serious obligations is to be good stewards of what God have given us while we are on earth.

On the other hand, such social activities make it less likely for some people to volunteer and certainly less likely to get to know their fellow parishioners.  Every once and a while I’ll hear some tinge of a theme that goes something like “Saint Luke is not a friendly parish.”  To my way of thinking, these people must have a screw loose.

One cannot sit by and do nothing, expecting the whole world (or parish) to come to them.  We need to get involved, do our part, and meet new people.  And, yes, a few people you might meet will be screwballs.  That’s life.  If you ever end up at a church where all the people are “normal,” it’s probably not a Catholic Church.

In any case, let’s all get behind our “Jubilee Jam” on September 24.  I hope to see you and your family there.  I will be hosting a “special event” which should be lots of fun.  Let’s just say for now that if you watch Channel 13 (NBC) weeknights at 7:30, you might have a “heads up.”

Do you know someone who is interested in the Catholic Church?  The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) begins here this Tuesday, September 13.  Wouldn’t it be great if you were God’s instrument to bring someone to the fullness of Faith in the Catholic Church?  There is also more detail in today’s bulletin.

Keep in mind also that the R.C.I.A. is actually for folks in more than one category:  Most people who come to  R.C.I.A. are curious about the Catholic Church; they want to know more; they will consider joining the Church at the Easter Vigil.

Other people are welcome to come to R.C.I.A. who are already baptized practicing Catholics who simply want to know more about their Faith.  R.C.I.A. is also a good refresher for baptized practicing Catholics who have not yet been confirmed.  And, of course, we also welcome any Catholics who have been lax in the practice of their religion.  They are those who need “more practice!”  All are welcome.

This weekend we observe the ten-year anniversary of the infamous “September 11th” or “9-11.”  Our Liturgies will be a bit more somber; the liturgical color will be purple as we recall this horrendous event.  We will pray for those who lost their lives in the tragedies of that day ten years ago.  We will pray for their families and for an end to violence.

Remember how upset we all were?  Remember how we resolved to turn to God in prayer from that day forward?  In the aftermath of that terrible tragedy, everyone was supposedly falling to their knees to thank God for their blessings and ask for an end to terrorism and fear.  That fervor was never sustained.  Did people pray more?  That is impossible to measure.  I sure hope so.

Shortly after the “9-11” attacks, Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., published a little book entitled, “The Cross at Ground Zero.”  How could this have happened?  Why did God allow such evil?  And then, the daunting thought—Where will God be when I need Him?  Father Benedict writes: 

“Christians present our belief about Christ to the world in many different ways.  They focus on Him as the Incarnate Word, the Savior and Redeemer, the Prince of Peace, the great King of the world to come.  All these ways are valid enough.  For me, Jesus Christ is the God Who suffers.  He is the God who is here with us in our sufferings.  We must see Him in the sufferings of others, of all the world.  We must come to His aid as He suffers in all who are broken by sorrow.”

“That is why His cross must be seen at the World Trade Center.  Even if the mysterious steel cross had never been found there, the invisible cross bringing His suffering presence was there.  In suffering humanity Jesus remains on the cross until the end of the world.  This is the answer of Christ.  It should be the answer that Christians give to all the world.”  (The Cross at Ground Zero, Our Sunday Visitor Press, 2001, pp. 109-110)

Father Benedict says it well.  I know of no other answer.  Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:  Providence never fails!

Faithfully yours in Providence that so far has not failed us,

Rev. Joseph F. Schaedel

Dear Parishioners,

Well, here we go again.  Another page on the calendar has turned.  We are into the month of September.  This weekend is Labor Day Weekend.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s.  The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community.

I would also strongly suggest that we as Catholics don’t forget God on Labor Day.  Labor is a privilege.  When we work, we give glory to God Who alone gives us talents and abilities needed to build up the Kingdom of God.

As is our schedule for civil holidays, we have one Mass on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, at 9:00 a.m.  Please try to attend.  Keep also in your prayers those who are looking for suitable work.  Ask Saint Joseph, the patron of workers, to pray with us and for us.

Do you know someone who is interested in the Catholic Church?  The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) begins here next Tuesday, September 6.  Wouldn’t it be great if you were God’s instrument to bring someone to the fullness of Faith in the Catholic Church?  There is also more detail in today’s bulletin.

Keep in mind also that the R.C.I.A. is actually for folks in more than one category:  Most people who come to the R.C.I.A. are curious about the Catholic Church; they want to know more; they will consider joining the Church at the Easter Vigil.

Other people are welcome to come to R.C.I.A. who are already baptized practicing Catholics who simply want to know more about their Faith.  R.C.I.A. is also a good refresher for baptized practicing Catholics who have not yet been confirmed.  And, of course, we also welcome any Catholics who have been lax in the practice of their religion.  They are those who need “more practice!”  All are welcome.

I went to the Jimmy Buffet Concert the other night.  To my mind, it was great!  I’ve been a Buffet fan for years.  It also seems as if a good number of parishioners are too.  I hoped I would not be recognized in my Parrothead biretta and grass cassock, but they found me.

I must admit that a couple of Buffet’s songs are in poor taste, but for the most part they are about simple things like cheeseburgers, sailing, volcanoes, fish fins, or a pencil thin mustache.  Just being at the Verizon Wireless Music Center is an experience in itself—over 24,000 people singing, carrying on, mostly just having fun.

What’s this got to do with Church?  Well, I noticed that one reviewer in a newspaper gave the concert a very poor review.  I just wonder if he was at a different concert.  I could not disagree more.

It’s been on my mind lately that all too often we base our opinions about the Church on what somebody has written.  All it takes these days is a printing press or your own web page on the internet—instantly, you’re an expert!  I don’t think so.  Be careful of what you read about our Church today.  We know that our own parish is vibrant, our own archdiocese is growing.

Now, if we all depended on some of these so-called experts, sociologists, and theologians we would think that the Church is in big trouble.  I don’t think so.  Watch what you read in all of these supposedly Catholic journals or web pages that abound today.  But above all, come alive—participate fully in the life of your Church and your parish—then judge for yourself.

That’s the connection between what I want to say this week about the Church and the Jimmy Buffet Concert.  O, other than the fact that Jimmy himself was once an altar boy.  I wonder if any of our own servers will be famous someday.  Who knows!

Let me again mention our Saint Luke Fiftieth Year Celebration!  The kickoff to our Golden Jubilee Celebration as a parish is Saturday, September 24.  From noon on that day we will have our first-ever “Jubilee Jam Parish Festival.”  That evening, the 5:30 p.m. Mass will be our first liturgical celebration to kick off an entire year of festivities.  I encourage everyone to get on board in whatever way you can to make our “Jubilee Jam Festival” a grand success.

Next Sunday is September 11, Patriot Day.  It’s the tenth anniversary of the horrible attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on our country.  Our weekend Masses will include special prayers for our country and for the victims of these terrorist attacks.

Remember ten years ago?  I sure do, it was the day my dad was buried.  But on that day people predicted that our whole country would forever fall to our knees in prayer asking God for mercy.  Churches would be full.  Healthy patriotism would rise.  Didn’t happen.  Keep this in mind as we prepare for next weekend’s civil and spiritual observances of “9-11.”

Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:  Providence never fails!

Faithfully yours in Providence that so far has not failed us,

Rev. Joseph F. Schaedel

The CORRECTED link to use for contacting the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is:    http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=299  We apologize for any inconvenience.
 
Please contact the HHS to express your views on the new mandate requiring contraceptive and sterilization coverage in almost all private health plans nationwide.  The HHS has established a period for public comments that ends on September 30.
 
On August 31, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' General Counsel submitted a lengthy comment letter to HHS explaining why this mandate violates other federal laws and longstanding policy precedents, infringes on constitutional rights, and poses a threat to freedom of conscience more sweeping than any posed by laws in the 50 states.



 

The new mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), requires contraceptive and sterilization coverage in almost all private health plans nationwide.
 
Here are the latest developments:

• The HHS has established a period for public comments that ends on September 30.
• On August 31, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' General Counsel submitted a lengthy comment letter to HHS explaining why this mandate violates other federal laws and longstanding policy precedents, infringes on constitutional rights, and poses a threat to freedom of conscience more sweeping than any posed by laws in the 50 states.
•  A new webpage dedicated to Conscience Protection provides a conduit to NCHLA's two alerts, and links to new background on the issue as well as to the USCCB's HHS comment letter and other helpful materials.

Dear Parishioners,

It seems as if each day I discover something new and exciting about Saint Luke Parish.  It kind of started out with the mold in the crawl space under the rectory and the civilization of ants in the rectory family room.  But I assure you, it’s gone uphill from there.

One day this week I went on the front porch to retrieve the morning paper and the first word that jumped into my mind was “Duck!”  (No, it was not an attempted drive-by shooting by disgruntled parishioners.)  It was a whole bunch of ducks in the rectory front yard.  I had seen one or two previously in the parking lot, but this was the whole extended family.

Perhaps seeing this wildlife is something common in Meridian Hills and on Holliday Drive.  But we sure did not see much wildlife around my previous rectory at the Cathedral, 14th and Meridian, downtown.  The “wildlife” around there is something not particularly suitable to describing in a church bulletin.

I also have seen a bunch of these ducks near Cathedral High School and Fatima Retreat House.  Both of these places are in Saint Matthew Parish.  Perhaps now that I am at Saint Luke these ducks are changing parishes.  Probably not, they would turn out to be just a bunch of quacks.  And yes, I know this whole paragraph is one big fowl joke.  But this is all one more new adventure for the new pastor Saint Luke—the ducks.

Let me again mention our Saint Luke Fiftieth Year Celebration!  The kickoff to our Golden Jubilee Celebration as a parish is Saturday, September 24.  From noon to 10:00 p.m. that day we will have our first-ever “Jubilee Jam Parish Festival.”  That evening, the 5:30 p.m. Mass will be our first liturgical celebration to kick off an entire year of festivities.  I encourage everyone to get on board in whatever way you can to make our “Jubilee Jam Festival” a grand success.

The educational enterprise here in our parish is in full swing.  Saint Luke Catholic School is up and running.  Much to my delight, at this writing, our enrollment is over 600—the largest number of pupils we have ever had in the history of Saint Luke School!

Religious education at all levels including adult education and the RCIA will soon be up and running as well.  There is information about this elsewhere in today’s bulletin including the ongoing need for volunteers.

Speaking of education, we are about to embark on some education concerning the Mass.  The words we say and hear at every Mass are about to change.  Mass will remain the same, but the sound will be different.  The words are English translations of texts first composed in Latin.

The revised translation pertains to the book we previously called the Sacramentary.  This is the “red book” the priest uses at the chair and at the altar.  The new translation of the Latin into English pertains to the words we speak or sing at every Mass and to the prayers that the priest recites alone from the Sacramentary.

Even the title of the Sacramentary will have a “new translation;” we will now refer to it as The Roman Missal.  Gee, that’s what we used to all it when I as a kid.  It’s true:  “what goes around comes around.”

Why is this changing?  Well, the liturgists have some very fine explanations.  But let me translate those for you and cut to the chase:  The 1970 translation we use now is not all that great.  It’s also not all that accurate in terms of the real meaning of the original Latin.  Over 40 years later, we know we can do better.  No need to point the finger at anybody.  (The original translators are probably mostly at the Heavenly Banquet Table in heaven anyhow.)

We will have lots more to say about this from the pulpit and in this bulletin.  Our parish musicians will also help us with the sung parts of the Mass.  Several of the sung or recited responses at every Mass will be slightly reworded.  But, overall, I’m not worried.  I’ve come to the conclusion that if a person can read, he or she will just do fine.  I’ve observed that most people at Saint Luke can read (except those who park in my parking spot).

Most of the changes will affect my part, the priest’s part.  I will need to practice.  I’ve been saying these words basically the same way since I was ordained nearly 30 years ago.  But, for example, remember not all that long ago when the lector or the priest concluded the readings by saying, “This is the Word of the Lord.”  Or “This is the Gospel of the Lord.”  It changed to be more accurate and match what we say at Holy Communion (“The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ”) to “The Word of the Lord” and “The Gospel of the Lord.”  We survived.

I did have more of a challenge when Pope John Paul II died and Pope Benedict XVI was elected.  I was so in the habit of saying, “for our pope, John Paul II.”  It took me a few weeks to adjust.  The same thing recently happened when we began to include our Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Coyne along with Archbishop Daniel Buechlein in the Eucharistic Prayer.

I do suppose that if Jesus Christ decides to change his name, I will have to hang it up.  But that’s not likely.  More on these Mass changes later.  We will be fine.

Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:  Providence never fails!

Faithfully yours in Providence that so far has not failed us,

Rev. Joseph F. Schaedel

Congress is on recess until September 7. Your Senators and Representatives are home and it is critical that they hear from you during this period at home in your district. When they return to Washington D.C., they will be forced to make decisions that will have an impact on almost every program as they attempt to reduce the national debt. A bi-partisan “super committee” will be tasked with drawing up plans to aggressively reduce funding levels, and programs that serve those in need will doubtless be at stake.
 
We urge you to communicate with your members of Congress to let them know about the challenges that are facing families in your community.
 
What you can do:
 
Participate in a town hall meeting:

During the summer recess, many representatives will hold town hall meetings and other events to hear directly from their constituents. It is critical that community members take part in these events and share the challenges they are currently facing with their elected officials.  To find out if your elected officials are planning a town hall meeting, please click here.  For information on participating in a public forum, please click here.

Call your member of Congress and urge them to continue to fight to ensure that those in need are not affected disproportionately by federal cuts to critical services. To identify your legislators, please visit this link.

Take the time to cultivate relationships with your members of Congress. Schedule a visit with your member’s district office to discuss issues affecting your community, or invite your member of Congress to visit your programs. Click here for information on conducting a visit with your legislator. For information on how to conduct a site visit, please click here.
 
Please be sure to provide Catholic Charities USA staff with feedback regarding any meetings or interactions that you have with your legislators as this is helpful to our advocacy efforts during meetings with congressional offices in Washington, DC.
 
 
What you can ask your legislators:
 
·         As a local social service provider, I am seeing more and more people coming to my agency for help and we simply cannot meet the need. What are you doing (and/or) will you do to ensure that those in need are not disproportionately affected by the cuts to reduce the nation’s deficit?
·         Our organization believes that spending can be cut without those living in poverty being denied critical services.  Data has shown that as much as twenty to forty cents of every dollar allocated to certain existing federal initiatives that provide greatly needed assistance to Americans are lost in the bureaucratic red tape associated with those programs.  What will you do to ensure that the government focus on creating and maximizing bureaucratic efficiency and not on sacrificing vital services?
·         Nearly 45 million Americans are living in a crisis of poverty and rely on the worn safety net system that is threatened by many of the potential cuts. This is a critical time for our nation – We need to find ways to address the needs of so many in our country, and help provide greater self-sufficiency for the millions of Americans currently living in need. Are you willing to engage in discussion on how we can permanently make a difference in the lives of those living poverty?
·         Much of the discussion in Congress has been around the budget and reducing the national debt. What steps will you take to help create jobs in our community?
 
 
Background:
 
On August 1, the President signed into law legislation to allow the U.S. government to increase the national debt by $2.1 trillion. However, the legislation that was passed requires that this spending be offset by equivalent reductions in spending over a 10-year period.
 
While the legislation does not affect mandatory spending such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, it does call for significant reduction in discretionary spending. The measure calls for a bipartisan “super committee” to determine spending cuts, and for Congress to vote on these reductions by December 23, 2011. If Congress fails to approve the committee’s recommendations, the legislation would enact an automatic trigger that would result in $1.2 trillion in reductions to defense appropriations, domestic spending, and some Medicare programs. Given that both parties have substantial reasons to be displeased with the triggers if they fail to approve the Committee’s recommendations, it is likely that they will work on reaching an agreement to reduce spending in the next couple weeks.
 
In anticipation of potential cuts to programs, there is likely to be an all-out lobbying frenzy by special interest groups to protect their programs. Now is a critical time for the Catholic Charities USA network to mobilize and explain our vision of transformative change in the social service delivery system in America.
 
For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs or Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs.

August 1, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
USCCB: HHS Mandate for Contraceptive and Abortifacient Drugs Violates Conscience Rights
 
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sharply criticized a new HHS “preventive services” mandate requiring private health plans to cover female surgical sterilization and all drugs and devices approved by the FDA as contraceptives, including drugs which can attack a developing unborn child before and after implantation in the mother’s womb.  
 
“Although this new rule gives the agency the discretion to authorize a ‘religious’ exemption, it is so narrow as to exclude most Catholic social service agencies and healthcare providers,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
 
“For example, under the new rule our institutions would be free to act in accord with Catholic teaching on life and procreation only if they were to stop hiring and serving non-Catholics,” Cardinal DiNardo continued.  “Could the federal government possibly intend to pressure Catholic institutions to cease providing health care, education and charitable services to the general public?  Health care reform should expand access to basic health care for all, not undermine that goal.”
 
“The Administration’s failure to create a meaningful conscience exemption to the preventive services mandate underscores the need for Congress to approve the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act,” the Cardinal said.   That bill (H.R. 1179), introduced by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK), would prevent mandates under the new health reform law from undermining rights of conscience.
 
Cardinal DiNardo added: “Catholics are not alone in conscientiously objecting to this mandate.  The drugs that Americans would be forced to subsidize under the new rule include Ella, which was approved by the FDA as an ‘emergency contraceptive’ but can act like the abortion drug RU-486.  It can abort an established pregnancy weeks after conception.  The pro-life majority of Americans – Catholics and others – would be outraged to learn that their premiums must be used for this purpose.”
 
“HHS says the intent of its ‘preventive services’ mandate is to help ‘stop health problems before they start,’ said Cardinal DiNardo. “But pregnancy is not a disease, and children are not a ‘health problem’ – they are the next generation of Americans.”
 
“It’s now more vital than ever that Congress pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act to close the gaps in conscience protection in the new health care reform act, so employers and employees alike will have the freedom to choose health plans in accordance with their deeply held moral and religious beliefs.”
 
In a July 22 letter supporting the bill, Cardinal DiNardo wrote: “Those who sponsor, purchase and issue health plans should not be forced to violate their deeply held moral and religious convictions in order to take part in the health care system or provide for the needs of their families or their employees.  To force such an unacceptable choice would be as much a threat to universal access to health care as it is to freedom of conscience.”
 
The full text of Cardinal DiNardo’s letter is available online. Cardinal DiNardo also addressed the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations on preventive services for women in a July 19 statement: www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2011/11-143.shtml

Believe it or not…it is time to begin registering for Sunday Morning Religious Education (SMRE).  We have two programs.  The first program is for any preschooler age 3 – 5.  We have two classrooms; one for 3 year olds and one for 4 and 5 year olds. These classes meet during the 9:00 AM Mass.   

Our second program is for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.  This is for children who are registered members of the parish and do not attend a Catholic grade school.  These sessions are held on Sunday mornings from 10:10 AM to 11:20 AM.

How do I register?  Go online to www.stluke.org and click on Religious Education and go to Sunday Religious.  There are two options:  preschool – 7th and 8th grade Confirmation.  Please choose the appropriate bar.  If you have a 5th grader and an 8th grader…you will register one, under preschool-7 and then the 8th grader registered under the 8th grade Confirmation bar.  If you have any questions please give Diane Schafer a call at 259-4373 or email her at dschafer@stluke.org.


 

Note: Washington Weekly will not be sent during the month of August, while the Congress is adjourned for their recess.
 
 
Congress Reaches Deal on Debt Ceiling
 
Months of rancorous debate ended on Sunday with a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid default. President Obama, Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, and Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner announced an agreement on a package of spending cuts and a so-called “super-commission” that is intended to help get the government’s debt problem under control.
 
According to the CBO study of the bill released Monday, the deal establishes caps on discretionary spending through 2021 and requires that the House and Senate vote on a joint resolution proposing a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. It also establishes a procedure to increase the nation’s current $14.3 trillion debt limit by $400 billion initially and procedures “that would allow the limit to be raised further in two additional steps, for a cumulative increase of between $2.1 trillion and $2.4 trillion,” the CBO said.
 
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives by a 269-161 vote, with 95 Democrats joining 174 Republicans in support of the deal. It was been passed in the Senate and signed by President Obama yesterday, leaving just enough time for the Treasury Department to raise the debt ceiling and avoid an unprecedented default. It is not known if, or how, this will affect the nation’s credit rating.
 
Now that Congress has passed a bill intended to get spending under control, members of the special commission will have to determine how to make the cuts to discretionary funding. It is imperative that we all work to educate members on the importance of programs that serve the poor and the vulnerable. Therefore a back home strategy will be critical when members are back in district offices for the Congressional recess.
 
Catholic Charities USA strategy includes hosting a conference call with member agencies as well as several ways for you to take action during the Congressional recess. We will be keeping you informed about that conference call once more details are scheduled, and hope that you will continue to engage in our advocacy work in this critical time!
 
For more information about the debt ceiling or CCUSA’s advocacy efforts, contact Patrick Brown, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, at pbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org
 
 
Catholic Charities USA VP Writes Op-Ed on EFSP
 
Catholic Charities USA Sr. Vice President for Social Policy and Government Affairs Candy Hill signed an editorial with leaders of other national non-profit organizations calling on government leaders to preserve funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The 2011 budget passed by Congress eliminates funding to programs in more than 500 counties and cities and significantly cuts funding for the program in 1,600 communities.
 
“The most recent recession and the years afterward have been far tougher on America's middle class than any other since the creation of this program, with more than 26 million Americans unemployed or underemployed and one-in-five children living below the poverty line,” the op-ed reads. “As Congress considers the 2012 budget and potential cuts in the debt ceiling debate, we urge our leaders to step up, as they have commendably done in years past, to support the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Americans on the brink of poverty are already struggling to stay above water, and we have the opportunity and obligation to help them get back on firm financial ground before it is too late.”
 
Click on the following link to read the entire editorial: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/07/28/3042106/the-reality-of-cuts-to-anti-poverty.html#ixzz1TsUjqEr9
 
For more information on the EFSP, please contact Candy Hill, Senior VP, Social Policy and Government Affairs, at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
 
Senate Committee Approves Ex-Offender Legislation
 
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2011 (S.1231), a bipartisan proposal that addresses barriers faced by those exiting the prison system, by a vote of 10 to 8. The bill, sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rob Portman (R-OH,) would provide resources to state and local governments, and community-based organizations to assist with reintegrating ex-offenders back into communities.
 
If passed, the bill would:
 
Extend the original grant program authorized under the Second Chance Act for five years
Provide incentives for inmates to participate in recidivism reduction programs
Require periodic audits of grantees
Enhance accountability measures for grantees by requiring periodic audits, Prohibiting funds from being held in offshore accounts, and transparency around compensation for nonprofit executives
To view a copy of the bill and the bill summary, please click http://judiciary.senate.gov/legislation/upload/ALB11493-Leahy-Substitute.pdf.
 
Now that bill has passed the judiciary committee, it will move to the full Senate for consideration. Second Chance Reauthorization legislation has yet to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please look for updates in future editions of Washington Weekly.
 
For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
CCUSA Explores 21st Century Social Service Delivery System
 
On July 10-12, Catholic Charities USA hosted a Case Managers Summit with 24 Catholic Charities agency representatives from 11 local Catholic Charities agencies to get their ideas, input, suggestions and recommendations on building the 21st century social service delivery system. Last weekend, the Case Managers Summit was followed up with a summit during which CCUSA leadership met to evaluate the input from the Case Management Summit and asses and revise CCUSA’s legislative strategy in light of the current political climate.
 
Another goal for last week’s summit was to reassess and update the National Opportunity Community Renewal Act legislation, as well an assessment of a strategic direction and message framework to develop strategies for engaging partners, coalitions and constituencies to support the bill.
 
CCUSA believes that the principles contained in the bill – and influenced by the lessons learned from the Case Managers Summit – are an important contribution to the current discussions about spending, and could serve as a catalyst to help policymakers as they evaluate programs that impact people in poverty.
 
For more information, please contact Candy Hill, Senior VP, Social Policy and Government Affairs, at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
Register Today for the First National Poverty Summit
 
Catholic Charities USA is honored to partner with its colleagues in hosting the first annual National Poverty Summit, held with the Annual Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas.  This 1 ½ day conference will provide attendees with opportunities to connect with the national movement to reduce poverty in America, hear from inspiring leaders, learn best practices from across the country in poverty reduction strategies, and recommit themselves to our ongoing work.  Register today!  (www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org/PovertySummit).
 
Partners include the American Human Development Institute, Bread for the World, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, CFED, Coalition on Human Needs, Feeding America, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
 
For more information, contact Kirsten Linge Schoenfeld, Director, Events and Convening at kschoenfeld@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
 
 
 
Fighting Poverty with Faith Mobilization
 
Catholic Charities USA invites you to join us for the 4th annual Fighting Poverty with Faith (FPWF) mobilization, “Working Together to End Hunger.” Scheduled for October 27 to November 6, FPWF is a weeklong mobilization that focuses on addressing the most basic needs of our brothers and sisters in poverty. This mobilization utilizes the strength of various faith communities to develop a greater sense of urgency in advocating for new policy solutions to poverty. Catholic Charities USA co-sponsors this event with a diverse coalition of national and local faith organizations dedicated to cutting domestic poverty in half by 2020.
 
We invite individuals, families, congregations, community and youth groups, schools, and faith-based organizations to come together to end hunger and poverty. We encourage you to plan an event or action in your community. Fighting Poverty with Faith Action Toolkits with resources to plan a community-wide Food Stamp Challenge and Hunger Banquet are available on the FPWF website at www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com. The website also contains additional advocacy information, media, and outreach materials. We also encourage you to connect the mobilization with a pre-existing event. Please visit www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com for more information and to add your event to the FPWF calendar.
 
If you are interested in learning how your agency can participate in this year’s mobilization, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.



 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urges Congress and the Administration to protect programs for poor and vulnerable persons during deficit reduction negotiations that are happening now.
 
Some proposals under discussion include disproportionate cuts to programs that serve the poorest, most vulnerable people at home and abroad.  Fiscal responsibility is important and it requires shared sacrifice and a priority concern for poor persons at home and abroad in our budget choices.
 
Unfortunately, very few advocate the priority claim of poor and vulnerable people, which makes our voices so much more important and prophetic.
 
Most recently, Bishop Stephen E. Blair and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives expressing their concerns.  
 
Earlier this year, a letter from Bishop Blaire, and a joint letter from Bishop Hubbard and Ken Hackett, President of CRS, went out to the U.S. Senate, calling for more attention to the needs of poor and vulnerable people.
 
What You Can Do

1. Call your Members of Congress and tell them:
Every budget decision should be assessed by whether it protects or threatens human life and dignity.
A central moral measure of any budget proposal is how it affects “the least of these” (Matthew 25). The needs of those who are hungry and homeless, without work, or in poverty should come first.
Government and other institutions have a shared responsibility to promote the common good of all, especially ordinary workers and families who struggle to live in dignity in difficult economic time.
A just framework for future budgets cannot rely on disproportionate cuts in essential services to poor persons. It requires shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues, eliminating unnecessary military and other spending, and addressing the long-term costs of health insurance and retirement programs fairly.

2. Write to your Representative and Senators with the below message, telling them, specifically, how these cuts will hurt your diocese/parish/community in efforts to serve the poor and vulnerable people.

3. Help your diocese, parish, community organizations, and families understand the consequences of these deficit-reduction proposals on poor and vulnerable people. See these  documents and the letters above for more details.

4. Post information about this call to action online including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, websites, and other media. 

The 2010 comprehensive health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), poses new risks to religious freedom and rights of conscience. To correct these problems, Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK) introduced the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions” and ensure that PPACA does not create new pressures to exclude these participants from PPACA’s plans or programs.

In an April 6 letter to Congress, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, stated that PPACA’s list of “essential health benefits” and a separate list of mandated “preventive services for women” may be used to require almost all private health plans to cover various procedures rejected by teachings of some religions, such as abortifacients, contraception, sterilization, in vitro fertilization, and treatments using material from deliberately killed unborn children. PPACA includes no provision to keep such lists of mandated benefits from violating conscience. Cardinal DiNardo urged Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1179 and promote its passage.

Recent developments have only confirmed the need for H.R. 1179. On July 19, an advisory body recommended to the Department of Health and Human Services a list of “preventive services” for women to be covered under PPACA. Cardinal DiNardo objected to the report’s mandated coverage not only for surgical sterilization but also for “all FDA-approved birth control (including the IUD, ‘morning-after’ pills, and the abortion-inducing drug Ella)” and for “education and counseling” to promote these among all “women of reproductive capacity.” If HHS accepts these recommendations, all insurance plans will be required to cover these controversial practices without a co-pay from recipients. “The considerable cost of these practices will be paid by all who participate in health coverage. . . . [S]uch a mandate would require all . . . to carry health coverage that violates the deeply-held moral and religious convictions of many.” Now it is “especially critical” for Members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass H.R. 1179.

July 17, 2011

Dear Parishioners,

Thank you!  Thank you all for making me so welcome and at home at Saint Luke.  I arrived Wednesday afternoon, July 6.  I’m still unpacking.  But in the meantime, everyone has greeted me so warmly and made me feel welcome.  This includes our staff, hundreds of parishioners, and literally every one I’ve met along the way.

I did not spend my first weekend introducing myself from the pulpit.  It seems to me that the Mass and the homily are precious times to communicate the Word of God.  I don’t think it’s appropriate to use that time to talk about myself.  Mass is “not about me,” or even you.  I can do that via my weekly bulletin letter.

Transitions are often not easy.  I spent thirteen very happy years as pastor of our downtown Holy Rosary Parish, La Chiesa Del Santo Rosario, the Italian Parish of Indianapolis.  It’s one of only two “national parishes” in the city.  By “national parish,” I mean that it has no street boundaries but that it was originally formed for the needs of a certain ethnic group.  In Holy Rosary’s case, it was the Italians.

I loved Holy Rosary.  And I will miss Holy Rosary.  But, at the same time, I also am very excited now to be at Saint Luke.  I also spent seventeen years as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese.  In this capacity, I got to know many parishes and many people throughout the archdiocese.  And so, I am already familiar with Saint Luke and many Saint Luke parishioners.

There is no other parish I’d rather be assigned to.  Saint Luke’s is great.  Although, it will be different.  Holy Rosary had about 300 families and no parish school of its own.  We had only three Masses on the weekend; one of them was in the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass).  I had a full-time associate; I was actually a part-time pastor since I was also the Vicar General.

I was used to about 700 people attending Mass each weekend at three Masses combined.  Now, I have about 700 people at one Mass!  We will have 600 in our school.  For the time being, we will not have an associate pastor.  At this writing, I do not know exactly when –probably sometime this Fall.  And I have no clue who he might be.  In the meantime, Father Jeff Godecker, the chaplain at Butler University will be helping me here.  Father Jeff was formerly pastor at Immaculate Heart Parish.  He resides at Christ the King Rectory.

At request, here is something about me:  I am from Beech Grove.  I’m the oldest of three children.  My sister Jan (Chris) Marten lives in Carmel and has three children.  My brother, John, lives in Sarasota, Florida.  Both of my parents are deceased.  Mother was one of thirteen; dad was one of sixteen.  So, I have plenty of aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Mother worked at Ayres Department Store downtown; dad was a biochemist at Eli Lilly.

I attended Holy Name School, Bishop Chartrand (now Roncalli) High School, and Marian University.  I also got a Master’s in Education from Butler University, a Master’s in Educational Administration from Ball State, and a master’s in Divinity from Saint Meinrad Seminary.  But I probably know about as much now as I did when I was a sophomore in high school.

Before heading to the seminary at age 30, I did several things:  I was a part-time radio disc jockey from senior year in high school up until the time I was ordained a deacon.  I taught elementary school at Holy Name in Beech Grove and then served as principal at Saint Roch School for six years.

Here is a bit of trivia:  I the first lay person to ever serve as a full-time elementary school principal in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis!  I went to Saint Meinrad Seminary in the Fall of 1978 and was ordained a priest on May 22, 1982, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral downtown.

Before Saint Luke, I’ve served full-time or part-time in five parishes:  Saint Gabriel, Connersville; Saint Michael and Saint Monica, Indianapolis; Saint Malachy in Brownsburg, and then at Holy Rosary.

Simultaneous with parish ministry, I also spent twelve happy years at Cardinal Ritter High School.  I taught algebra and theology for five years, served as assistant principal for four years, then as the school’s first president for three years.  In 1994 I was appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the archdiocese.  I concluded that tour of duty in early March when our new Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Coyne became Vicar General by virtue of being auxiliary bishop.

The archbishop graciously granted me a three-month sabbatical in Rome.  I loved it!  I was in Rome with 29 other priests; we lived literally in the shadow of Saint Peter’s Square.  I was there for Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the beatification of Blessed John Paul II on May 1.

And, now, by the Providence of God, here I am at Saint Luke.  I look forward to “talking with you” each week via my letter in this parish bulletin.  The most important part of each one will be the ending.  I’ll repeat it each week, because it is something that I have come to believe with all of my heart, mind and soul:

Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:  Providence never fails!

Faithfully yours in Providence that so far has not failed us,

Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, Pastor


 

Senators Propose Medicare Change

On June 28, Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) introduced a new plan that would adjust Medicare’s eligibility and payment structure. The bill’s sponsors say the proposal would reduce Medicare spending by $600 billion over the next 10 years.
As introduced the bill would:

•  Raise the eligibility age from 65 to 67. This increase would occur in two month increments starting with people turning 65 in 2014 until the threshold reaches 67 in 2025. Doing so is projected to save $124 billion over 10 years.
•  Increase Part B premiums for individuals making more than $150K a year o couples making more than $300K a year. Under the plan, they would have to pay 100 percent of the costs of their Part B coverage, which covers non-hospital doctor’s care. Currently, premiums are now covered at 25 percent. The projected savings would be between $5-10 billion over 10 years.
•  Establish a combined annual deductible of $550 for both Part A and Part B Services and restructure Medigap Coverage that picks up costs not covered by Medicare. Out-of-pocket expenses would be capped at $7,500 a year. For individuals with incomes between $160,000-213,000, expenses would be capped at $22,500. The projected savings would be $130 million over 10 years.
•  Phase out Medicare payments for bad hospital debt. Currently, Medicare reimburses hospitals and providers for unpaid deductibles and copayments. Eliminating this reimbursement is expected to save $23 billion over 10 years.
•  Increase Part B premiums for Medicare beneficiaries by 2 percent over 5 years, including a “hold harmless” provision that would prevent an increase in the Part B premium in the event if it would be larger than the Social Security annual cost-of-living adjustment. The projected cost savings is $241 billion over 10 years.

While the proposal is said to be too controversial to pass as a whole package, elements of the proposal could be included in debt negotiations or longer term discussions on Medicare. For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at [lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org].
 

 
Debt Limit Update
 
With an August 2nd deadline approaching, President Obama and Congress remain at odds in their negotiations to avoid forcing the first Federal government default on debt obligations in U.S. history. Congress, which has the authority to raise the debt limit, is responsible for making sure the Treasury department is able to cover the government’s financial obligations through 2012.
 
For the Republicans in the House, they are adamant that any debt limit deal must include no tax increases. Democrats, led by President Obama, take the position that any budget reductions must include tax increases requiring the nation’s top earners to pay their “fair share.” “We need to take on spending in domestic programs, in defense programs, in entitlement programs, and we need to take on spending in the tax code, spending on certain tax breaks and deductions for the wealthiest of Americans,” Obama said. “This will require both parties to get out of our comfort zones and both parties to agree on real compromise.”
 
Republican leaders have vowed to oppose any tax increases, while leaving open a small possibility of increasing revenue through ending some tax loopholes or raising user fees.   The bottom line for the Republicans is that any effort to raise the debt limit must be accompanied by spending cuts of an equal amount. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) warned that any plan to increase taxes “cannot pass the House, as I have stated repeatedly…I’m happy to discuss these issues at the White House, but such discussions will be fruitless until the President recognizes economic and legislative reality.”
 
President Obama has invited the top Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate to a meeting at the White House on Thursday, July 7th, 2011 for a summit to attempt to hammer out a deal that all parties can agree on and avoid a default on the nation’s debt.
 
Catholic Charities will continue to very closely monitor the developments in this very critical and sensitive Congressional and Administrative issue. For more information, contact Ron Jackson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, [rjackson@catholiccharitiesusa.org].
 
 
 
 
Senate Committee holds DREAM Act Hearing
 
On June 28, the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee held the first-ever hearing on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The legislation addresses the plight of immigrant children who grew up in the U.S. and graduated from high school, but cannot attend college because of current immigration laws.
 
Witnesses at the hearing included:

•  Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, who testified to the importance of the DREAM Act for our country, the benefits to our economy and the armed forces
•  Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, who testified to his Department’s support for the legislation and its importance for our country’s global competitiveness
•  Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), who discussed the DREAM Act and its impact on our Armed Forces.
•  Ola Kaso, an immigrant student, who shared her experience as a child coming into the U.S. legally thirteen years ago and excelling in her education, but who now faces deportation in less than a year.

 
If enacted by Congress, the DREAM Act would put children of undocumented immigrants on a path to legal permanent residence and eventual citizenship if they attend college or join the military for two years. The Act would apply to those children who entered the U.S. prior to age 16, have lived in the United States for at least five years, and have graduated from high school. In addition, the proposal would allow students to attend college at in-state tuition rates.
 
It is unlikely that the bill will receive consideration in the House. As previously reported, Majority Leader Harry Reid suggested that the measure could be attached to a web-based employment proposal expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives. In addition, the Congressional Quarterly reported that expanding the E-Verify system is a top priority of House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), who is expected to introduce such legislation later this year.

To view testimony and/or the webcast from the DREAM Act Hearing, please visit the following link: [http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=3d9031b47812de2592c3baeba604d881]
 
Catholic Charities USA will continue to provide you with updates on the DREAM Act as the bill moves through the legislative process. For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs at [lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org].
 
 
***

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.
Catholic Charities USA
Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314
socialpolicy@catholiccharitiesusa.org     
For information about advocacy, please contact
Lucreda Cobbs at (703) 236-6243 or lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

 



 

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of

 
"Sine Die", without a day, means the session ends Friday, April 29. Despite several weeks' interruption in March, the session will complete its task of providing a budget for the state and new congressional and legislative maps based on updated census data. In addition, many other priorities were also accomplished.
 
As expected, the House concurred with the Senate changes in HB 1003, School scholarships. On Wednesday, HB 1003 passed 56 - 43, mostly on party line. A couple of changes to the Senate amendments have been added to the budget bill HB 1001, which will pass on Friday. The changes will take out the annual inspection by the Department of Education and provide for visits on a schedule and time table that DOE can better manage. It will also require that non-public schools conduct annual teacher evaluations. Many who argued against the bill cited some of the contradictory provisions in the bill. The bill provides some protection from unnecessary regulation of non-public schools but also contains specific requirements regarding teaching of citizenship and other topics and materials. The requirements are already expected for state accredited schools and provide no change or addition to the curriculum.  Others were asking why the tax deduction applied only to families with children in non-public schools.
 
It has been 40 years since Indiana passed a bill that directly supported families and students in choosing a non-public school. On March 12, 1971 the General Assembly passed a tax credit bill for families with students in non-public schools; however, the bill was vetoed by Governor Whitcomb, a Republican. The irony is that when it passed in 1971 it was the Democrats that promoted it. This time the school choice bill was promoted by the Republican Governor and the Democrats opposed it. While this is a victory for parents and students, it is a modest step in recognizing that public policy should support the education of all children. The bill calls for implementation this fall and unless there are court challenges, children and families should be able to benefit soon.
 
Also passing on Wednesday was HB 1210 dealing with abortion law; it also contained a provision that prohibits the state from contracting with organizations that perform abortions. This latter provision was the source of several parliamentary attempts to separate it from the bill. Many argued that the bill should go to a conference committee to remove this from the bill. While the bill passed 66 - 32; many who voted against the bill did so because of the defunding provision; several of those voting in opposition had supported the original bill that dealt with informed consent and hospital admitting privileges only. The bill now goes to the Governor. Some have asserted that the defunding provision will result in the state losing Medicaid funding. This question is yet to be decided, although other states have similar administrative rules and have not lost funding. There is certainty that the law will be challenged in court by Planned Parenthood and the issue will be settled in court.
 
SB 590, Illegal immigration matters, was taken to a conference committee on Tuesday evening. The House made significant changes from the Senate version. The conference committee is to see what Senate provisions can be restored or what has to be removed in order for the bill to pass. Due to a provision regarding definition of child abuse and neglect added in the House, the bill contains a large fiscal obligation. Hence, the Senate will not concur with the bill; in order for it to pass at least this provision must be removed. Then, a conference committee report and votes by both Senate and House are required for the bill to pass. Although the committee heard three hours of testimony, most of which was repetitious from earlier hearings, nothing was resolved.  Unless the Democrat conferees agree to changes, no report will be signed for consideration. It may come to the last hours until we know if an agreement is reached. If no agreement is reached, the bill dies and does not become law.
 
The Senate concurred with the changes to SB 340, Charity gaming, by a vote of 39 -11. The bill provides some changes requested by many charity organizations and provides for a study committee to review other requests such as using proceeds to pay for staff members of the charity organization.

In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under "policy tools" click on "issues and legislation" and access the state or federal bills by clicking "current legislation". Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site, www.indianacc.org

• Child Care: Provides $2.2 billion for the Child Development Block Grant, an increase of $100 million from FY2010 enacted level;
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Funded at $176 million, nearly $5 million above FY2010 enacted levels;
• Community Development Block Grant: Funded at $3.3 billion, $650 million less than the FY2010 enacted level;
• Community Service Block Grant: Funded at $680 million, $20 million below FY2010 enacted level;
• Corporation for National Service: Funded at $1.08 billion, $72 million less than FY2010;
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program: Funded at $120 million, $80 million below the FY2010;
• Head Start: Funded at $$7.6 billion, a $340 million increase from the FY2010 enacted level;
• Homeless Assistance Grant: Funded at $1.9 billion in funding, a $40 million above FY2010 enacted levels. (This includes a set-aside for $225 million for Emergency Solutions Grant-a recently enacted bill to support homelessness prevention and rapid response housing activities);
• Homeless Veterans: Funded at $50 million for vouchers to house homeless veterans through the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program;
• Housing for Elderly and Disabled: $400 billion for elderly housing and $150 million for housing for disabled;
• Hunger Free Community Grants: Eliminates funding for this program funded for the first time in FY2010 at $5million;
• Job Training:Provides $2.8 billion, $182 million below FY2010 enacted level for job training grants to states for Adults, Youth and Dislocated workers;
• Juvenile Justice programs: Funded at $148 million, $14 million below FY2010;
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: Funded at $4.71 billion, $390 million below FY 2010 enacted level;
• Migration and Refugee Assistance: Funded at $1.69 billion, $5 million above FY2010 enacted level;
• Rental Assistance: Section 8 funded at $18.4 billion, $233 million above FY2010 enacted levels;
• Senior Employment Program: Funded at $450 million, $375 million below Fy2010 enacted levels;
• Senior Nutrition: Provides $847million, the same amount of funding enacted for FY2010;
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Level funded at FY2010 enacted level of $49.5 million. However, funding for TEFAP Infrastructure Grants Program is eliminated. This program was funded for the first time in FY2010 at $6 million; and
• Women, Infant, and Children (WIC): Funded at $6.748 billion, $504 million below the FY2010 enacted level.

The Christian Social Action Commission‚s Care for Creation Committee has as its purpose to promote the environmental restoration of God's creation in the operation of the church, stewardship of parishioners, and awareness and outreach to the community.

What better way to take the next steps than by attending the free Earth Day Indiana Festival at the White River State Park, west of the Indiana Statehouse on Washington St. in downtown Indianapolis, on Saturday, April 23 from 11 am to 4 pm.  This outdoor festival takes place under large tents, so come prepared to learn and have a good time, rain or shine.  The scenic park is surrounded by museums, the White River, and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Environmental protection, conservation, and sustainable living will be covered.  The Festival combines more than 140 environmental and conservation exhibits with live music, special activities for kids, good food and family fun.  The festival has grown each year to become one of the most successful Earth Day events in the country with recent attendance estimated to have reached 30,000 people.  Care for Creation is growing.  The faith community will be well represented by the Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light organization following their successful launch in March with solid support from the Catholic community in Indiana.

Check their web site:  http://www.earthdayindiana.org/index.html for details.

The Christian Social Action Commission‚s Care for Creation Committee has as its purpose to promote the environmental restoration of God's creation in the operation of the church, stewardship of parishioners, and awareness and outreach to the community.

What better way to take the next steps than by attending the free Earth Day Indiana Festival at the White River State Park, west of the Indiana Statehouse on Washington St. in downtown Indianapolis, on Saturday, April 23 from 11 am to 4 pm.  This outdoor festival takes place under large tents, so come prepared to learn and have a good time, rain or shine.  The scenic park is surrounded by museums, the White River, and the Indianapolis Zoo.

Environmental protection, conservation, and sustainable living will be covered.  The Festival combines more than 140 environmental and conservation exhibits with live music, special activities for kids, good food and family fun.  The festival has grown each year to become one of the most successful Earth Day events in the country with recent attendance estimated to have reached 30,000 people.  Care for Creation is growing.  The faith community will be well represented by the Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light organization following their successful launch in March with solid support from the Catholic community in Indiana.

Check their web site:  http://www.earthdayindiana.org/index.html for details.

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is a federally funded program which has allowed over 3300 children from low-income families to attend private, including religious, schools in the District of Columbia since 2004.  Nearly 9000 families have applied to participate in DCOSP.  Unfortunately, since 2009, Congress and the Administration have not allowed new children, including siblings, to apply for scholarships.  Opponents of the program ignored the study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education that concluded that students who used their scholarships had a 91% graduation rate and that parental satisfaction and demand for the program were overwhelming.  Opponents have also ignored the aspects of the legislation that provided additional funding for D.C. regular and charter schools as part of a three-sector approach to improving educational opportunities for children in the District of Columbia.
Speaker of the House John Boehner, a long-time supporter of this program, has introduced H.R. 471, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) to reauthorize the program so that new students can receive scholarships.  The bill continues the three-sector approach by authorizing $60 million to be evenly divided for use by private school families, regular public schools and public charter schools.   A companion bill, S. 206 has been introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman in the Senate.

On March 10, 2011, H.R. 471 was passed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a vote of 21-14.  Current information is that the full House of Representatives will consider the vote during the week of March 28th.

Please contact your member in the House of Representatives and let her/him know that you support the reauthorization of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Washington Weekly

FY2011 Spending Update
On March 18, President Obama signed into law another short-term bill approved by the Congress that would fund the government through April 8. The current continuing resolution will expire on March 18.  The Congress will now have three weeks to figure out funding for the remaining FY2011 or face a government shutdown.

The short-term bill does not include the cuts to programs that were a part of the broader long-term package (HR. 1) passed by  House which included reduction and elimination of funding for the EFSP, Refugee Resettlement, Housing programs, and the Corporation to name a few. The new short-term bill is comprised of rescinding unneeded funds from the 2010 Census, elimination of earmarks, and elimination and reduction of 25 programs-many which were included in the President's FY2012 budget proposal.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

CCUSA Hosts National Hill Day

Catholic Charities USA continues to be dedicated to the goal of cutting in half the number of people living in poverty in America by 2020. We need your voice advocating Congress to help achieve this goal and to continue the conversation started at our Centennial which advances 21st century solutions to reduce poverty.

We anticipate the reintroduction of the National Opportunity and Community Renewal Act prior to your arrival in Washington, DC for our 2011 National Hill Day. Your Members of Congress need to hear your voice, your stories and your experiences in order to make the best choices for your community and the people you serve. We are excited to welcome back our colleagues from Soapbox who will organize our Hill Day.

Meetings will take place in the afternoon and early evening. If you have any special requests, please make sure you complete the survey that is sent with confirmation of registration.

To Register Now!
For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

 
Congress Goes on Recess
As Congress goes on recess, decisions regarding funding for the FY2011 remain uncertain. When Congress returns from recess on March 28, they will have a short-time frame before the continuing resolution just signed into law by the President expires.

While members are back home in their districts, don't forget to visit their offices, make calls, and or send them messages, letting them know how their decisions will affect your community.

Please look for a town hall alert telling you when and where members will hold town hall meetings.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.


Farewell
It is with sadness for CCUSA and our Social Policy team, that we announce that Monica Maggiano has accepted another position.  Monica has truly left her mark on the work of CCUSA and our network through her leadership in managing Katrina Aid today, her enthusiastic work with Steve Liss, the Consumer Advisory Council and her passion for the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.  Our network has been enhanced by her service and dedication and the people we serve have been blessed by her work. We know that she will bring the same enthusiasm and passion to her new position as an Account Director at Powell Tate, a division of Weber Shandwick- the largest public relations company in the world.   Her first project is to oversee the Bank of America local market implementation strategy in 15 cities working with the local banks and local PR teams to help them be a better community partner. She will also be helping with some of the agencies Corporate Social Responsibility and social innovation accounts.

Please join us in wishing her well.


Registration for CLINIC Annual Convening

Register now for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) 14th Annual Convening in Seattle, WA, May 18-20, 2011.

From the basics of immigration law to the most advanced issues that arise in filing petitions, CLINIC's 14th Annual Convening in Seattle, WA will offer workshops for legal services providers and immigration advocates at any level.

CLINIC's three-day conference offers excellent updates on immigration law, insightful trainings, and opportunities for networking.

Come meet fellow advocates and learn new strategies for fundraising, program management, and advocacy.

Registration and additional information is available online here.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director, Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.


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Help support St. Luke Brownie Troop 42544. They will be selling Girl Scout cookies at Mr. Mike's Ace Hardware at the corner of 86th and Ditch from 10 AM until 2 PM on March 5 and March 12.

Girl Scout Troop 574 is collection used prescription eyeglasses for a service project that will benefit those helped by the Lion's Club, the IU Medical Students, and a mission trip to Honduras. Please bring in your old or unused glasses and deposit them into the collection box on the floor in the Look Nook outside the Parish Office. An additional box is in the School Office.

Thank you for your help with these projects!

Washington Weekly is a publication of the Social Policy Department of Catholic Charities USA
and is published regularly when Congress is in session.

House Committee Sets FY 2011 Spending
Last week, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced proposed spending levels for the remainder of fiscal year 2011. Currently, government programs are operating on an extension known as a continuing resolution until March 4, 2011. The budget allocations released by Chairman Ryan would set overall discretionary spending at $1.055 billion with $420 billion allocated to non-discretionary programs, $43 billion below the fiscal year 2010 spending level, and defense funding at $635 billion, an $8 billion increase from the fiscal year 2010 level.

Some reports suggest that programs that provide services to the most vulnerable are at risk of being reduced. One such program is the Emergency Food and Shelter program which could be cut by as much as fifty percent. During its 27 years of operation, the program has disbursed over $3.4 billion to over 12,000 local providers in more than 2,500 counties and cities. In addition, several other programs are slated for cuts including reductions to the following:

• Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies -$30M
• Juvenile Justice -$2.3M
• Rural Development Programs -$237M
• WIC -$758M
• Job Training Programs -$2B
• Community Health Centers -$1.3B
• Maternal and Child Health Block Grants -$210M
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services -$96M
• Community Services Block Grant -$405M
• HUD Community Development Fund -$530M

• Prioritize and pursue comprehensive immigration reform in lieu of enforcement-only measures to address the issues of unauthorized immigration in the United States; and
• De-emphasize the use of workplace raids - in which immigrants are detained and families are separated - as a measure to enforce immigration laws in the U.S. workplace.

• Review programs for waste, fraud and abuse;
• Review food and nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), fruit and vegetable initiatives, the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and other commodity distribution programs;
• Assess the level of participation by states in SNAP and examine state options for expanding SNAP participation;
• Review buying patterns of SNAP recipients and methods for encouraging balanced lifestyles;
• Review efforts by state SNAP administrators to modernize and streamline their programs;
• Review the Community Food Project Program to ensure cooperative grants are working;
• Review of the SNAP retailer approval process; and
• Review of the implementation of changes made to the SNAP Nutrition Education Program.
• Review programs within the 2008 Farm Bill that may be inefficient, duplicative, outdated or more appropriately administered by State or local governments for possible cuts or elimination;

"When good people do nothing, evil prevails"

Shaping public policy is the responsibility of every person.  Our democratic form of government and our Catholic Church both call us to become involved. 

Now, through the Indiana Catholic Conference, the voice for the Indiana Bishops at the Statehouse, you and other Catholics can have a direct impact on legislative action through I-CAN.  As an I-CAN (Indiana Catholic Action Network) member you will have quick easy access to the President of the United States, members of Congress, state lawmakers and the governor.  You can share your Catholic views on important issues such as abortion, immigration reform, embryonic stem cell research, health care reform and education just to name a few. 

How can I Join I-CAN?

1) Go to the Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) Website at www.indianacc.org

2) Click on Legislative Action Center.

3) Click on Join our Action Network.

4) Put in required information and you will now receive periodic I-CAN Updates. 

If you want to be informed about pending legislation that is either in line with Church teaching or contrary to it, then I-CAN is waiting for you. 

We are just a few clicks away at www.indianacc.org.

Change your light ...

If every household in the United States replaces just one regular light bulb with one of those new compact fluorescent bulbs, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road. Don't like the color? Use them in closets, laundry rooms, and other places where it won't bother you as much.

Please bring your paper, magazines, and newspapers to our green and yellow recycling bins on the west side of the facility, near the main entrance. You will help the environment and we get a financial benefit for the paper recycling!

• a worship service led by Indiana clergy from the full range of Indiana denominations and faith traditions;
• choral music celebrating the beauty and wonder of creation by a choir open to all Hoosiers and led by Steve Potts, Director of Music at First Baptist Church;
• presentations on three programs that equip congregations to inspire and enable their members to significantly reduce energy use; and
• breakout sessions for clergy and lay leaders interested in beginning faith-based energy conservation initiatives in their communities and denominations