Due to the July 4th holiday, next week’s Pot of Gold Lottery drawing will be held on Tuesday, July 5. Please note that the rectory will be closed on Monday, July 4. Tickets can be dropped through the mail slot at the rectory. When dropping tickets on Tuesday, July 5, please specify the drawing date for which you would like the tickets processed. Are they for Tuesday, July 5, or Monday, July 11? Thank and enjoy your holiday weekend!
Archives for June 2016
POT OF GOLD – TUESDAY, JULY 5
June 28, 2016 by ·
RIGHT NOW – House preparing to vote today on ending late-term abortion
June 22, 2016 by ·
BREAKING NEWS: A vote is expected today on HB1948, which would end late-term and dismemberment abortions in Pennsylvania.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Pray.
The Representatives are on the floor right now with final debates on the bill and a vote will take place very soon. We will let you know how the vote takes place.
2. Call/Email your State Representative: “Vote YES on HB1948.”
Your State Representative: your state representative. Even though the vote is about to take place, the debate may take some time and your call can still make a difference (and if you call after the vote takes place, you can ask how they voted and please thank them if they voted YES).
After calling, you can follow-up with an email here: http://www.tinyurl.com/endlateterm
Thank you for your prayers and taking time to call/email. If you would like more about HB1948:
1. A two-page handout on the legislation can be used to inform family and friends on the importance of the legislation. It is for children like Will that we need to update our quarter-century-old abortion law and pass HB1948.
2. Video of Representative Kathy Rapp, one of the prime sponsors of HB1948, explaining the importance of updating our over quarter-century-old abortion law.
3. Specifically about dismemberment abortions, understand what exactly takes place with this prodecure by watching Live Action’s video that uses animation to explain a Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) – or dismemberment abortion.
Again, PA Family Council will follow-up with you on the results on the vote – stay tuned to our Facebook page and for future email updates.
Pennsylvania Family Council
23 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 | 717-545-0600 | pafamily.org
Free Concert at Cathedral on July 1st/Boys’ Choir from Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Quebec
June 22, 2016 by ·
Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal is celebrating the choir’s 60th anniversary by performing in several cities along the East Coast, including Philadelphia. Led by director Gilbert Patenaude, the group will perform at our Cathedral on Friday, July 1st at 12:35 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The attached flyer contains additional details.
Invitation to Public Open Houses at the New Mormon Temple in Philadelphia
June 15, 2016 by ·
Leadership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has reached out to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to share information about open houses for the general public at their newly constructed Philadelphia Temple, which is located at 17th and Vine Streets.
They have graciously invited the faithful of the broader Catholic community to visit the temple before it is dedicated on September 18th. Public open houses have been scheduled between Wednesday, August 10th and Friday, September 9th. Tours will be held on Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. No tours will be offered on Sundays. Comfortable shoes and modest attire are recommended for those who wish to attend. The facility is wheelchair accessible, but service animals are not permitted in the temple.
Space is limited on each tour so visitors are asked to reserve their place by visiting www.templeopenhouse.lds.org or by calling call 855-537-2000.
Click HERE to view the invitiation
Temporary Victory on PA Bathroom Bills in HOUSE & SENATE
June 15, 2016 by ·
Temporary Victory on PA Bathroom Bills in HOUSE &SENATE.
IN THE SENATE:
Thank you to everyone who contacted their State Senator regarding SB 1306, SB 1307 and SB 974. Because of the amount of phone calls received and the important concerns you shared with your senators, the committee vote that was scheduled for Wednesday morning was canceled!
This is only a temporary victory because the vote could still come up as early as Monday next week. We will continue to keep you informed and alert you if and when another vote is scheduled. Please keep praying!
IN THE HOUSE:
Another temporary victory came this week in the House on what is called a “discharge resolution” to advance HB 1510, “The Bathroom Bill” which would open women’s bathrooms, showers, dressing rooms & dorms to men and boys that self-identify otherwise. There was no vote this week, but it could come up again as early as Wednesday next week.
Thank you for all of your calls and emails! Please keep praying! We will continue to keep you informed and alert you if another vote is scheduled.
DEFEND MY PRIVACY RALLY:
Plan to join us in Harrisburg Monday, June 27 for the Defend My Privacy Rally. Invite your friends and family! Click on the “Yes, I’ll be there” button to RSVP. You can also sign up to ride a bus, we have buses leaving from Lancaster, Reading, Millersburg, Gibsonia, Monroeville and Washington, Pa.
Pennsylvania Family Council
23 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-545-0600 | pafamily.org
WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP – FIRST SESSION TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM
June 14, 2016 by ·
WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP – FIRST SESSION TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM IN THE PARISH CENTER
This newly formed prayer group is a community of women who desire to come together to share faith and prayer so we can deepen our relationship with God and grow as His disciples. Through these gatherings we hope to help and support each other as we strive to bring our faith and trust in God to our life situations and experiences.
The group will meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PMin the Parish Center. We will begin the sessions praying the Church’s Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours which will be provided. Following this time of prayer we will then use the book Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelly as a source of our sharing and discussion. Our session will conclude in the Saint Joseph Chapel with a prayer to the Blessed Mother and a reflective song.
BATHROOM BILLS – Wednesday VOTE – CONTACT YOUR SENATOR TODAY
June 14, 2016 by ·
BREAKING NEWS on the BATHROOM BILLS:
NEW DEVELOPMENTS, ACTION EXPECTED IN BOTH HOUSE & SENATE.
IN THE SENATE:
A handful of State Senate Republicans are looking to advance Gov. Tom Wolf’s top policy agenda (SB 974), which would have serious implications for personal privacy and safety, and religious freedom.
We’ve been warning you about SB 974, “The Bathroom Bill” which would open women’s bathrooms, showers, dressing rooms & dorms to men and boys that self-identify otherwise. Calls and emails from folks like you have stalled that bill.
However, well-funded out of state special interest groups and powerful lobbyists continue to push, and the latest move is to split SB 974 into parts to force it through in a piecemeal basis.
The first two parts (SB 1306 and SB 1307) could have committee votes as early as Wednesday. SB 1306 endangers personal privacy in workplaces, and serious religious freedom and conscience threats to religious schools, Christian camps and church employers. SB 1307 deals with housing, which would implicate bathrooms, showers, and even dorm rooms themselves… in college dorms and other such housing situations.
It is critical that you call your state senator and email today (or by Tuesday morning) and tell them to vote no on SB 1306, SB 1307 and SB 974. Let us know what they tell you.
IN THE HOUSE:
In the House, there could be a vote as early as Wednesday on what is called a “discharge resolution” to advance HB 1510, “The Bathroom Bill” which would open women’s bathrooms, showers, dressing rooms & dorms to men and boys that self-identify otherwise.
It is critical that you call your State Representative your state representative and email to oppose both the discharge resolution, and HB 1510.
Your family’s personal privacy and liberty depends on you taking action!
Thank you, and please pray!
ACTION SUMMARY
1. Call your State Senator to oppose SB 1306, SB 1307 and SB 974 (and to email – click here).
2. Call your State Representative to oppose both the discharge resolution, and HB 1510 (and to email – click here).
Why does HB1510 and SB974 impact bathrooms and showers? Click here for a brief explanation.
3. Help recruit as many as possible to do the same. Click here to forward this email.
4. Plan to join us in Harrisburg Monday, June 27 for the Defend My Privacy Rally.
Pennsylvania Family Council
23 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-545-0600 | pafamily.org
BREAKING NEWS on the BATHROOM BILLS
June 13, 2016 by ·
BREAKING NEWS on the BATHROOM BILLS:
NEW DEVELOPMENTS, ACTION EXPECTED IN BOTHHOUSE & SENATE.
IN THE SENATE:
A handful of State Senate Republicans are looking to advance Gov. Tom Wolf’s top policy agenda (SB 974), which would have serious implications for personal privacy and safety, and religious freedom.
We’ve been warning you about SB 974, “The Bathroom Bill” which would open women’s bathrooms, showers, dressing rooms & dorms to men and boys that self-identify otherwise. Calls and emails from folks like you have stalled that bill.
However, well-funded out of state special interest groups and powerful lobbyists continue to push, and the latest move is to split SB 974 into parts to force it through in a piecemeal basis.
The first two parts (SB 1306 and SB 1307) could have committee votes as early as Wednesday. SB 1306 deals with housing, which would implicate bathrooms, showers, and even dorm rooms themselves… in college dorms and other such housing situations. SB 1307 also endangers personal privacy in workplaces, and serious religious freedom and conscience threats to religious schools, Christian camps and church employers.
It is critical that you call your state senator and email today (or by Tuesday morning) and tell them to vote no on SB 1306, SB 1307 and SB 974. Let us know what they tell you.
IN THE HOUSE:
In the House, there could be a vote as early as Wednesday on what is called a “discharge resolution” to advance HB 1510, “The Bathroom Bill” which would open women’s bathrooms, showers, dressing rooms & dorms to men and boys that self-identify otherwise.
It is critical that you call your State Representative your state representative and email to oppose both the discharge resolution, and HB 1510.
Your family’s personal privacy and liberty depends on you taking action!
Thank you, and please pray!
ACTION SUMMARY
1. Call your State Senator to oppose SB 1306, SB 1307 and SB 974 (and to email – click here).
2. Call your State Representative to oppose both the discharge resolution, and HB 1510 (and to email – click here).
Why does HB1510 and SB974 impact bathrooms and showers? Click here for a brief explanation.
3. Help recruit as many as possible to do the same. Click here to forward this email.
4. Plan to join us in Harrisburg Monday, June 27 for the Defend My Privacy Rally.
Pennsylvania Family Council
23 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Statement from Archbishop Chaput Regarding Shootings in Orlando
June 13, 2016 by ·
Click HERE to view the statement released by Archbishop Chaput regarding the recent shootings in Orlando, Florida.
House Bill 1947
June 10, 2016 by ·
The following was read by Monsignor McCormac at every Mass during the weekend of June 5th, 2016:
Dear Parishioners,
A Bill is currently pending in our State Senate, House Bill 1947, that poses serious dangers for our own Parish Community and for all the parishes, ministries, charities and schools of our Archdiocesan Church. Through this letter, I urge you to write or telephone your local State Senator and also members of the State Senate Judiciary Committee to vote against HB 1947, and especially to oppose any retroactivity provision in the civil statute of limitation covering sexual abuse.
All of us are rightly angered by the crime of sexual abuse. Over the past decade, the Catholic Church has worked very hard to support survivors in their healing, to protect our children, and to root this crime out of Church life. But HB 1947 and bills like it are destructive legislation being advanced as a good solution. The problem with HB 1947 is its prejudicial content. It covers both public and religious institutions, but in drastically different and unjust ways. The Bill fails to support all survivors of abuse equally, and it is a clear attack on the Catholic Church, our parishes and our people.
HB 1947 is retroactive for private and religious entities, but notretroactive for public institutions, that is, it holds private institutions accountable but exempts public institutions regarding civil litigation for sexual abuse of children. Also, the Bill places very low caps on damages for sexual abuse in public schools in the future. The Bill also makes it hard for abuse victims to sue public institutions going forward. Meanwhile, private and religious entities face unlimited liability for exactly the same evil actions, and not just going forward, but also in the past. This is not justice. In fact, HB 1947 actually excludes most victims. HB 1947 does not apply to private and public institutions equally. I believe that the Bill also targets innocent Catholic parishes like ours, and families like your own, that will bear the financial burden of crimes committed by bad individuals in the past, along with the heavy penalties that always result from these bad bills. This is not just an Archdiocesan problem. It is very much our Parish Community’s problem. In other states where similar legislation passed, local parishes exactly like ours have been sued, resulting in parish and school closures and charity work being severely crippled. The effect of bills like HB 1947 is to erase the sacrifices of generations of faithful Catholics who have done nothing wrong.
The Catholic Church in Pennsylvania accepts its responsibility for the survivors of clergy sex abuse. The Church is committed to helping them heal for however long that takes. But HB 1947 and bills like it are not an answer. This kind of legislation is unjust and deeply misleading. It benefits too few victims, and the Bill ends up punishing Catholic parishes and families who are innocent of any wrongdoing.
This is a serious and time-sensitive matter. Please take a few minutes to review the important information materials in today’s Parish Bulletin. Senate hearings begin on or around June 13. Please act now to contact your State Senator, and members of the State Senate Judiciary Committee, and urge them to oppose HB 1947 and any effort to impose civil statute retroactivity. You can do this quickly and easily by visiting the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference at www.pacatholic.org. Here you will see a prominent link on the homepage about this vital matter. Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ,
Monsignor Michael P. McCormac
