USCCB Focus on F.O.C.A. Proposed Bill Could Thwart Hundreds of Pro-Life Laws: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Pro-Life Secretariat has urged clear, vigilant, and persistent advocacy against an extremely dangerous bill being considered by Congress called the "Freedom of Choice Act" (or FOCA). The Pro-Life Secretariat has expressed grave concern to state Catholic conferences that FOCA would, if enacted and signed into law, sweep away hundreds of pro-life laws and policies at the state and federal levels! You are highly encouraged to respond to the USCCB-approved alert at the internet link listed below, and to forward it to as many other people as possible who may share your concerns: http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=263 http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=263shapeimage_9_link_0
Life Alert Following President Obama’s March 9 executive order, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has proposed guidelines for federally funded embryonic stem cell research. The guidelines would – for the first time – use taxpayer funds to encourage the killing of embryonic human beings for their stem cells. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a new campaign urging support for ethical cures and treatments “we can all live with.” The “Oppose Destructive Stem-Cell Research” campaign at http://usccb.org/stemcellcampaign/ encourages Web users to contact Congress to express opposition to destructive embryonic stem cell research or any form of human cloning. http://usccb.org/stemcellcampaign/shapeimage_10_link_0
“I AM has sent me to you.” Could the Lord be calling you to proclaim His name as a priest, deacon, or in the consecrated life? Call Father Brian Bashista at (703) 841-2514 or write: b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.org .mailto:b.bashista@arlingtondiocese.orgshapeimage_11_link_0
Contact Congress on Health Reform The Virginia Catholic Bishops encourage the parishioners of their dioceses to visit the Virginia Catholic Conference’s website (www.vacatholic.org). The Conference’s site contains statements from the USCCB on health proposals and an action alert enabling Virginia residents to send messages to their U.S. Senators and Representatives. http://www.vacatholic.orgshapeimage_12_link_0
Plenary Indulgence for the Year of Priests The Holy See has announced that Pope Benedict XVI will grant priests and the faithful a Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the Year for Priests, which will run from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010. Click here for more information about this great grace.Latest_News_files/Plenary-Indulgence.pdfshapeimage_13_link_0
Urgent: A Message from the United States Conference of CAtholic Bishop (USCCB) on Health Care Reform As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country. Read more ...Latest_News_files/UPDATED-bulletin-insert.pdfshapeimage_14_link_0
Revised Edition of the Roman Missal Pope John Paul II issued a revised version of the Roman Missal during the Jubilee Year of 2000. The complete text is expected early this year. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a website at www.usccb.org/romanmissal/ to help American Catholics prepare for the transition to this new translation of the revised Roman Missal.http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/shapeimage_23_link_0
The Light is on for you: Confessions during Lent This Lenten season, each Catholic parish—including Our Lady of Lourdes Church—in the Diocese of Arlington and the Archdiocese of Washington will have Confessions available every Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Consider making a commitment this Lent to come before the Lord in Confession and also to join the Church in praying for an abundance of the healing grace of God’s forgiveness and love. Learn more at www.the-light-is-on.org.http://www.the-light-is-on.orgshapeimage_25_link_0