BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON (CNS) - The chair- men of the U.S. bishops' pro-life and religious liberty committees urged U.S. Senate leaders Oct. 22 to include the Hyde and Weldon amendments and "other long-standing, bipartisan pro-life provisions" in appropriations bills being advanced in the chamber. By eliminating these provisions, the Senate is staking out an extreme position of forcing taxpayers to pay for the taking of innocent unborn human life and forcing health care providers to participate in this in- justice" against their deeply-held beliefs, the prelates said in a joint statement. In addition, employers and insur- ers will be forced to cover and pay for abortion, they added. On Oct. 19, the U.S. Senate's Com- mittee on Appropriations released the text of several appropriations bills which, "like their House coun- terparts," they said, currently ex- clude pro-life measures, such as the 46-year-old Hyde Amendment, which have long enjoyed bipartisan sup- port. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Confer- ence of Catholic Bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-Life Activities, is- sued their statement in response to the Senate committee's action. We recognize and appreciate that these bills also include many life- affirming provisions that help vul- nerable people, including pregnant moms, refugees, low-income families and the elderly," they said. "The laud- able concern and support these pro- visions represent must also extend to our vulnerable brothers and sisters in the womb." We reiterate the fact that funding the destruction of innocent unborn human lives, and forcing people to participate, are grave abuses of hu- man rights," Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Naumann added. "We call on the Senate to prevent this injustice by passing appropriations bills that fully support and protect human dignity, and the most vulner- able among us." Their statement reiterated a num- ber of earlier statements issued by U.S. bishops over the past several months urging both House and Sen- ate to keep Hyde, Weldon and other pro-life provisions intact in spending bills. In July, the U.S. House rejected sev- eral pro-life riders to spending bills offered by pro-life House members, including Reps. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., and supported by the U.S. bishops and various pro-life organizations. Though Hyde and the other provi- sions have for years enjoyed biparti- san support, a number of Democrats in the House and Senate now claim the provisions "discriminate against low-income women.''
Mothers of disappeared plead for help
WASHINGTON (CNS) - A group of women looking for sons and daughters who were never heard from again after migrating to the U.S. traveled in mid- to late Octo- ber throughout the country to plead for better immigration laws. The Caravan of Mothers of the Disappeared, a proj- ect backed by Pax Christi USA and the Sisters of the Mercy of the Americas, helped spotlight the plight of the group of women, who made a stop in Washington Oct. 19 to meet with mem- bers of Congress. "As I listened to them, the women, it's heart-wrenching," said Mercy Sister Anne Marie Miller in an Oct. 20 interview with Catholic News Service.
Foundation for celebrating Eucharist sought
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The incoming chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities hopes his brother bishops will approve a statement on the Eucha- rist that helps Catholics understand the gift that it is and that invites them back to active church life. I think it would be a beautiful thing if, in Novem- ber, we were to close ranks and say, We are pastors. We love our people. We want to make this an inviting church and we want to gather people around the altar of the Lord,'" Arch- bishop William E. Lori of Baltimore told Catholic News Service. In discussing and voting on a document on the Eucharist during their meeting Nov. 15-18, he said, the tone should be pastoral, "not com- promising our teaching, not denying that it is possible to exclude oneself from the table of the Lord," but lay- ing the foundation for the bishops' multiyear project of helping Catholics better understand, appreciate and celebrate the sacrament.
Papal nuncio: Defend the voiceless
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The papal nuncio to the United States called on members of the Los Angeles legal community to defend the voiceless of society even in the face of political pressure or the threat of being canceled." "It is not always easy to do the right thing, to stand up for the dignity of the person, the needy, the poor, the voiceless members of our society," Arch- bishop Christophe Pierre said Oct. 20 in his homily during the annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. "It is not easy to take a stand when there is so much political pressure upon you and when instead of tolerating differences and searching for solutions through dialogue, the looming threat of be- ing canceled strikes fear," the archbishop said. In such moments, he added, "we must ask the Spirit of God for strength, mindful of St. Paul's words, 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me.'" Organized by the local chapter of the St. Thomas More Society, the Red Mass honors the work of judges, lawyers, legisla- tors and legal professionals. Los Angeles Archbishop Jos H. Gomez presided at the liturgy. The name of the Mass comes from the color of the liturgical vestments worn by the celebrants and the color of fire, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
Bishops urge Senate to include pro-life provisions in appropriations bills
BRIEFSI
OCTOBER 29, 2021 THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS
ACROSS THE NATION 3
MLK's legacy should inspire us today
WASHINGTON (CNS) - Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory said marking the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington Oct. 21 was an opportunity "to pause and reflect together at this place of tribute to the legacy of a great American." In studying and reflecting on this special place on its 10th anniversary, we are inspired by the life work of Dr. King and confidently recognize ourselves and the work we must still do in gratitude for each of the lessons he shared with us," he said in remarks at an anniversary ceremony. Cardinal Gregory, who offered a reflection and prayer, said Rev. King's examples of hope and resilien- cy should inspire people today to "never grow discour- aged in our pursuit of social justice and racial justice." The cardinal joined President Joe Biden, Vice Presi- dent Kamala Harris, representatives of different faith communities, civil rights activists and others at the memorial to remember the slain civil rights leader and honor his legacy. Attendees included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other civic leaders. As Dr. King did in his lifetime ... we are actively called to work against racism, police brutality, poverty and the need for food, immigration reform, housing, health care and mental health disparity and violence in all of its forms," Cardinal Gregory said.
Scripture, Homily, Novena Prayers, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Mondays, 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
10th 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
Nov. 1
Send names of the sick to: Novena, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester, 01602 Or call: 508-754-5361 / email: tsullivan5@mac.com
Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan
Taking pictures of churches brings Indiana photographer closer to God
BY JOHN SHAUGHNESSY
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) - While he continues to pursue his goal of visiting and photographing 100 churches, Max Schroeder always returns to one place when he needs to heal his heart and restore his soul. He seeks that connection with God and Mary at the end of another night of capturing tragedies across central Indiana as a news photographer for an India- napolis television station. With the images of mur- ders, fatal accidents and mourning families fresh in his thoughts, Schroeder, 23, drives to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis knowing he will find a sense of peace and comfort there as he visits a shrine honoring Mary in front of the church. Sometimes you can't get the bodies out of your head," he said. "I started go- ing to Holy Rosary after a double murder. A man and a woman had been shot to death." I feel safe there," he told The Criterion, arch- diocesan newspaper of Indianapolis. "I feel a pres- ence - that God is watching over me, that Our Lady is watching over me. I need a place to regroup. I sit there and contemplate as I look at the statue of Our Lady. I pray for the people whose lives have been taken sud- denly, for their family and friends." For me, being a strong Catholic, I need to do some- thing positive because I'm surrounded by the nega- tives in my job," he added. Beyond his visits to Holy Rosary, the need for bal- ance - for something up- lifting - has fueled his de- sire to capture the beauty and artistry of at least 100 churches across Indiana and Ohio. Schroeder's spiritual quest began in the place where his love of his Catholic faith was born and nurtured, the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. In 2019, as he was pur- suing a double major in media production and film production at Bowling Green State University, his eyes focused more intently on the artistic details of the altars, chapels, grot- tos and steeples of the churches that are central to his life: the church where he received his first Com- munion, the cathedral where he was confirmed, a church that has been part of his family's heritage on his mother's side for five generations. He marveled at the intri- cacy of the artistic details and stood in awe of the Creator who had formed people with these abilities and gifts. And he decided to use his own God-given skills and talents in film and photography to capture the beauty of churches. I thought, 'This is my calling,'" he said. "I do it as a way to honor God, to give back to him for the skills he gave me ... I'm showing the world the beauty of what his people have built." At the same time, Schro- eder sees this effort as his way of building a closer re- lationship with God. When- ever he visits a new church to photograph it, he strives to line up the visit with a Mass at the church. I want to go to Mass to receive the Eucharist as much as I can. When I was in college, I went to Mass almost every day. I come for the Eucharist, and then I take the photos. Not only does that help me spiritual- ly, it helps me artistically," he said.
CNS PHOTO JOHN SHAUGHNESSY, THE CRITERION
Max Schroeder stands by a shrine to Mary in front of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
' Funding the destruction of innocent unborn human lives, and forcing people to participate, are grave abuses of human rights.'
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Part Time Maintenance Position
15-20 hrs per week including weekends ! 8 Wyoma Drive Auburn, MA 01453 Contact Parish Office 508-798-8779
North American Martyrs Parish
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Part Time Line Cook Servers
Must be able to work weekends ! 314 Central Street Leominster, MA 01453 www.cristinas.net 978 534 0849
CNS PHOTO ELIZABETH FRANTZ, REUTERS
Women with the Caravan of Mothers of Disappeared Migrants gather on Capitol Hill in Washington Oct. 19. Archbishop Lori
Previous Page