BY RHINA GUIDOS
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON (CNS) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit sided Sept. 14 with President Donald Trump's plan to end a particular immigration protection status that would have allowed people from six countries that have suffered disas- ters to remain in the United States. The court said the president was within his rights to revoke what's called Temporary Protected Status, popularly known as TPS, from Salva- doran immigrants. TPS grants a work permit and a reprieve from deporta- tion to certain people whose coun- tries have experienced natural disas- ters, armed conflicts or exceptional situations, to remain temporarily in the United States. The ruling also is expected to af- fect TPS holders from Haiti, Hondu- ras, Nicaragua, Sudan and Nepal. He's ended it but what it means is that there's this six-month wind- down period," said Ashley Feasley, director of policy for the U.S. Confer- ence of Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services. "It doesn't affect people's status this year. They still would be allowed to stay here and get a driver's license and work authorizations they have now." But that could stop early next year. The wind-down period for the esti- mated 300,000 TPS holders is differ- ent for different countries but all is expected to take place in 2021 if the plan goes forward. But that timing brings some to speculate that the U.S. presidential election and its result could affect what ultimately happens. The situation is complex, said Feasley. There's also the issue of TPS holders who have families, including U.S.-born children, other pending legislation, possible involvement by the Supreme Court and there's also a possibility, though not likely, Con- gress could act to provide a path to citizenship for TPS recipients. Catholic organizations in the U.S. wasted no time in voicing opposition to the ruling. Congress created Temporary Pro- tected Status more than 30 years ago, rightly, because it would be uncon- scionable to deport people back to cri- sis and conflict," said Anna Gallagher, executive director of Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., known as CLINIC. "No family should be faced with the choice of either splitting up or moving their entire family, includ- ing U.S. citizen children, to a country where they face danger." Sister Marie Lucey, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who is as- sociate director of Franciscan Action Network, called the ruling "uncon- scionable" and said the decision was a "tragedy" for those with TPS and a betrayal of all that is good in this country."
Catholic medical provider fired by Catholic clinic
PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) - Megan Kreft, a young Catholic physician assistant in the Portland area, hopes her story of being fired by a Catholic medical group for wanting to practice her faith in the medi- cal field will help others struggling to do the same. I've known I wanted to go into medicine for a long time," Kreft told the Catholic Sentinel, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Portland. She was cautious about pursuing work in women's health and primary care, knowing that so many of the ethical dilemmas she would face would be in those fields. Still, Providence Medical Group in Sherwood, Oregon, impressed her. I was blown away by the clinic, the support, the staff and their enthusiasm for great patient care," said Kreft, adding that Providence appealed to her because of its Catholic identity. She was offered a position in January 2019. Before Kreft was hired, an administrator at her clinic reached out asking which services she'd perform. On the list were vasectomies and inserting intrauterine devices, as well as pre- scribing hormonal con- traception and emergency contraception. "I told my manager these services violated my religious be- liefs and conscience," said Kreft. When it became clear to Kreft that she was expected to provide these services or refer patients to another of the clinic's providers for them, her opinion of the clinic changed. She refused to re- fer patients for the contro- versial services. Since her dismissal, she has filed a civil rights complaint with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Groups oppose Catholic honor for A.G.
WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Association of U.S. Catho- lic Priests and the Catholic Mobilizing Network said they strongly object to an award the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast organizers plan to present to U.S. Attorney General William Barr during the annual breakfast, which is to be livestreamed Sept. 23 from Washington. In separate statements, the organizations said Barr, a Catholic, should not be honored because, as attorney general, he directed the federal govern- ment in July 2019 to resume the execution of prisoners on federal death row. Barr is scheduled to receive the Christifideles Laici award, which is named for St. John Paul II's post-synodal exhortation. The award is given in honor and gratitude for fidelity to the church, exemplary selfless and steadfast service in the Lord's vineyard." The priests' association called the decision to choose Barr for the 2020 honor "shocking, incom- prehensible and scandalous." In an email sent early Sept. 15 to Catholic News Service, a spokeswoman for the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast said the organi- zation's officials declined to comment.
Catholic Charities helps refugee students
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) - Although navigating technology and staying organized and motivated has been a challenge for students across the country with online learning this semester, it is even more difficult for refugee students. In the Diocese of Nashville, Catholic Charities of Tennessee has stepped in to give these students a helping hand. To support refugee children attending Nashville public schools virtually, the agency has matched each refugee child it serves with a "super supporter" to check in with them at least once a week and help them with all aspects of virtual learning. Each supporter connects the family with their child's school, so they can receive necessary corre- spondence; ensures they have the proper technology setup at home; coaches them on the digital platforms and provides a translated resource packet from the public schools' office. This person also connects with each child's teacher and meets with the child virtually or in person each week to provide support and make sure they are stay- ing on track with their classes.
New series examines clergy sex abuse
WASHINGTON (CNS) - A new podcast series, Crisis," which examines the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the U.S. church has debuted. Produced by the Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America, Washington, its 10 episodes plan to re- count the history of the crisis and church leaders' responses to it. "Catholic University really found itself in a unique position to offer a response to the sexual abuse crisis," said Karna Lozoya, executive director of strategic communications in the presi- dent's office at the university, and narrator of "Cri- sis." With its ties to a papally chartered university, Crisis" examines the responses of popes, including Pope Francis and St. John Paul II. Because of its loca- tion in Washington, the archbishop of Washington serves as chancellor of the university and is a mem- ber of the board of trustees. The current archbishop is Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, who Lozoya said is very supportive of the podcast. "Crisis" can be heard at the Catholic Project's website, https:// catholicproject.catholic.edu or on podcast services including Apple and iHeart.
Catholic groups oppose TPS court decision
Catholic bishops of California launch yearlong anti-racism initiative
BRIEFSI
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
ACROSS THE NATION 3
Worcester Diocesan Cemeteries
St. John's Cemetery & Mausoleum,
Worcester
Notre Dame Cemetery,
Worcester
Calvary Cemetery,
Athol
Calvary Cemetery,
Dudley
Gethsemane Cemetery,
Athol
New Notre Dame Cemetery,
Southbridge
Old Notre Dame Cemetery,
Southbridge
St. Anne Cemetery,
Sturbridge
Sacred Heart Cemetery,
Webster
Sacred Heart Cemetery,
West Brookfield
St. Brigid Cemetery,
Millbury
St. George Cemetery,
Southbridge
St. Mary Cemetery,
Holden
St. Philip Cemetery,
Grafton
Requests the removal of all baskets and decorations by
Sunday, September 27, 2020
for Fall Cemeteries clean-up. Anything remaining after this date will be removed and discarded
Scripture, Homily, Novena Prayers, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Mondays, 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
9th Annual Novena to St. Joseph
FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH
CHRIST THE KING PARISH 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester
To pray for the Seriously & Terminally Ill To stop Doctor-Prescribed Suicide
HOMILIST
Sept. 21
Send names of the sick to: Novena, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester, 01602 Or call: 508-754-5361 / email: tsullivan5@mac.com
Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone
BY ANN RODGERS
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Catholic bishops of Califor- nia have announced a year- long initiative to address personal and systematic racism, both in the Church and wider society. After a Sept. 9 Zoom conference with African American Catholic lead- ers from their state, the California bishops released a statement pledging to begin a journey aimed at converting our hearts to more fully understand the extent and nature of the sin of racism in ourselves, our church and our nation. This journey is intended to offer tangible change." The meeting and an- nouncement occurred on the feast of St. Peter Claver, which many dioceses - in- cluding all in California - observed as a day of prayer and fasting to end racism. St. Peter Claver was a 17th- century Spanish Jesuit who ministered to enslaved Af- ricans in the Caribbean. The 25 diocesan and aux- iliary bishops of California spent three hours listening to three African American Catholic leaders, two lay- women and a priest, who recounted the racism they had experienced inside and outside the church. The people shared from their heart. Some of the things were pretty tough to listen to," said Steve Pehanich, director of com- munications and advocacy for the California Catholic Conference. As an example of every- day slights, a high-ranking employee in a Catholic in- stitution spoke of recently moving to a well-to-do community, where her new neighbors asked if she was the nanny, he said. Although some stories reflected badly on the church, "the bishops were touched. There were some tears. There were some hard to bear moments, but I think they really appreci- ated it," Pehanich said. The California initiative will unfold in three phases: listening, dialogue and ac- tion. It was important to the bishops "to listen be- fore we jump to solutions and act as if we know the answer," Pehanich said. Listening sessions at the parish, diocesan and statewide levels "will be designed to understand the impact on individuals of racism in our nation, our society, and our church so we can address it and elim- inate it wherever we can," the bishops wrote. All Catholics in Califor- nia will then be urged to use the knowledge gained from those sessions as the basis for dialogues that include African-Americans. Finally, in 2021, "we will implement strategies that root out racist thinking and practices and foster a 'culture of encounter' within all aspects of our dioceses, parishes, places of education and homes."
SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH
44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 508-756-7165
ANNUAL NOVENA IN HONOR OF
Saint Therese of Lisieux
The Little Flower of the Child Jesus
September 23
rd
- October 1
st
At
Novena Mass Schedule
Monday - Friday 6:15 pm Saturday: 4:15 pm, 7:15 pm Sunday: 8 am, 10:15 am, 12:15 pm, 7:15 pm
Live Stream on Facebook
facebook.com/stjohnspage Daily: 6:15 pm Saturday: 4:15 pm Sunday: 10:15 am
Welcome Home!
CNS PHOTO LEAH MILLIS, REUTERS
President Donald Trump listens to Attorney General William Barr speak in Kenosha, Wis., during a roundtable on "Wisconsin Community Safety" Sept. 1.
CNS PHOTO LEAH MILLIS REUTERS CNS PHOTO KYLE GRILLOT, REUTERS
Justice 4 TPS" is seen Oct. 3, 2018, on a car window in Los Angeles. A Sept. 14, decision from the U.S Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in Ramos v. Nielsen brings the Trump administration one step closer to ending Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for almost all people with TPS in the United States.
CNS PHOTO PATRICK T. FALLON, REUTERS
A demonstrator in Los Angeles gestures outside the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department Sept. 1, during a protest against the shooting death of Dijon Kizzee. Authorities report that Kizzee, a Black bicyclist, was stopped for a traffic violation, assaulted a deputy and reached for a firearm that he dropped.
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