Archives for November 2017

The Congressional swamp has surrounded itself with a legal apparatus known as the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. This law is designed to protect sex offenders in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and other federal agencies from public scrutiny. Congress has also been funding a U.S. Treasury account to pay off claims for congressional acts of sexual harassment and other discrimination claims.

Until recently, the political establishment on both sides of the aisle has kept the morally problematic aspects of the law from the public. Earlier this month, Laura Ingraham, Fox News host of The Ingraham Angle, revealed in her report that Congress has been using taxpayer funds to settle sexual harassment claims against members of Congress and other federal employees. Ingram reported that over $15 million in taxpayer funds have been paid to settle the claims.

Sign the petition and tell Senate Majority Leader McConnell and House Speaker Ryan:

The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 willfully created the ability of Congress and other employees under the jurisdiction of the Office of Compliance (OOC) to have their acts of sexual harassment and related settlements concealed from the taxpayer.

As an act of government responsibility, accountability, and transparency, release the names of Congressional members and other employees who remediated and settled sexual harassment claims under the OOC, along with the amount of claims paid from the U.S. Treasury.

During President Bill Clinton’s first administration, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sponsored the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. This legislation created the political apparatus for members of Congress to cloak sexual harassment settlements in a shroud of secrecy. The bill was introduced on January 4, fast-tracked through the Senate and the House, and signed into law by Pres. Clinton on January 23. See the existing members of Congress who voted for this bill as well as a video of the press conference led by S en. Grassley the day before he presented the bill.

The United States Congress Office of Compliance (OOC) Board issues legal rulings related to sexual harassment claims. Financial settlements for sexual harassment reached by the OOC must be approved by the chairman and ranking member of the House Administration Committee, who is Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS). He would approve any disbursements from the U.S. Treasury for OOC settled claims for sexual hara ssment.

Sign the petition and tell Sen. McConnell and Speaker Ryan to release the names of Congressional sex offenders.

If our mission resonates with you, please consider supporting our work financially with a tax-deductible donation. The easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure.

Tim Wildmon, President American Family Association

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that it is auctioning a FIAT 500L used by Pope Francis for transportation during his historic visit to Philadelphia in September 2015. The auction is being conducted in partnership with Charitybuzz. Bidding opened this morning at 9:00 a.m. and will last through December 20th at https://www.charitybuzz.com/papalfiat.

Net proceeds will benefit the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA). This appeal provides the support needed to tens of thousands of people through countless organizations, programs and ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The beneficiaries are grouped into five key areas: Education; Social Services; Evangelization, Parish and Spiritual Life; Clergy and Local Mission Activities. Those who receive assistance and support from these ministries come from a broad array of faith traditions.

The attached news release has been distributed to the media by the Office for Communications and contains additional information.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan

Vicar for Clergy

I write to ask you to take a moment of your time to register your support  for a recent action by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which provided religious and moral exemptions to the Obamacare Contraceptive Mandate. HHS has called for the public to submit comments by 11:59 PM EST on December 5. Over 10,000 comments opposing this return to common sense have already been submitted by the public. It is critical our voices are heard too.Please take action now.
On October 6, 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two interim final rules that, together, create a broad religious and moral exemption from the HHS contraceptive Mandate. Although this action does not rescind the Mandate itself, it does give religious and moral objectors immediate relief from its onerous burdens. HHS has called for public comments about this policy change, and we urge you to offer comments in support of the exemptions before the public comment period ends on December 5. We have prepared comments for you to send with a quick click.

The USCCB has submitted comments that you can read here andhere. Please add your voice to theirs and let the Trump Administration know that although we still urge the Administration to reconsider and rescind the Mandate, as long as the Mandate is in place these broader exemptions are laudable and mark a return to common sense. Click here to learn more and to send your comments.
 

On behalf of Bishop Timothy C. Senior, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, I write to share information regarding the Seminary’s 30th Annual Open House and Christmas Concert, which is scheduled for Sunday, December 10th.

During the Open House, seminarians will guide tours through this historic Catholic landmark where visitors can view artwork treasures from the Seminary’s collection, artifacts from Pope Francis’ visit in 2015, explore the daily life of seminarians, and learn about educational programs open to the general public. Tours last one hour and begin at 1:00 p.m. The final tour starts at 3:00 p.m.

Christmas crèches will be on display before the concert in the Ryan Memorial Library featuring dozens of Nativity scenes from around the world. The concert will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Saint Martin of Tours and will feature the musicians and choir of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Both events are free and open to the public. Parking is available on the Seminary campus.  A free will offering will be collected at intermission for the Sisters of Life at Saint Malachy Parish.

Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan
Vicar for Clergy

Eucharistic Ministers:  The Youth Group has prepared a Thanksgiving craft for our Home-bound Parishioners!  Please pick them up in the back of the Church this weekend to bring to your communion calls.  Thank you for your continued devotion to this ministry, it is greatly appreciated by Saint Frances Cabrini and the parishioners you visit.

Giving Tuesday is November 28th

Double your investment in PA Family Institute: pafamily.org/match

Your State Representative will be back in Harrisburg on Monday for one of just eleven session days left in the PA House before the end of the year (last session day: December 20th) and two questions remain unanswered:

1. Will you continue paying for “sex change” surgery on children?
2. Will Pennsylvania continue to permit late-term and dismemberment abortion?

1. “Sex Change” Surgery on Children

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) must be renewed by December 31st and is awaiting action in the PA House of Representatives. This program currently includes coverage for “gender reassignment” surgery on children, something Governor Wolf unilaterally added into the program last year.

TAKE ACTION: Tell your State Representative that you do not want your taxdollars paying for “sex change” surgery on children through the CHIP program. Click here to use our Citizen Action Center to automatically email your State Representative.

2. Ending Late-Term & Dismemberment Abortion

After passing the State Senate in February, we had been told that a vote can be expected in the PA House by the end of this year on ending both late-term and dismemberment abortions.

Frankly, it should not take nearly a year to pass this important legislation. Just last week, a story made headlines about a baby born at just 21 weeks who is now a healthy 3-year-old (“most pediatrics and obstetrics societies agree that 22 weeks of gestation is the lower threshold of viability.”). The sad truth is Pennsylvania State Representatives are continuing to allow viable babies being killed through abortion as far as six months in pregnancy (24 weeks). That is inexcusable.

TAKE ACTION: Tell your State Representative to end late-term and dismemberment abortion as soon as possible. Click here to use our Citizen Action Center to automatically email your State Representative.

Thank you for helping us advocate for these two bills.

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“I don’t want to imagine a world without PFI.”

– State Representative Bryan Cutler 

Giving Tuesday is coming soon and you have an opportunity to double your investment into the work of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. Thanks to a generous donor, all contributions we receive will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.

To give towards this matching grant, click here or call 717-545-0600.

For more, visit pafamily.org/match.

Pennsylvania Family Institute

23 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

717-545-0600 | pafamily.org

Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1476317 and Amazon donates to Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. #YouShopAmazonDonates

This morning at the Fall General Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, members voted for chairmen-elect of several committees. I’m most pleased to inform you that five of the bishops elected are alumni of our own Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, ‘72, Archbishop of Louisville, was elected Chairman-elect of the Committee For Religious Liberty. Bishop Kevin Rhodes, ‘79 (College Seminary), Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, was elected Chairman-elect of the Committee on Doctrine. Bishop Joseph Cistone, ‘75, Bishop of Saginaw, was elected Chairman-elect of the Committee on National Collections. Bishop Michael Burbidge, ‘84, Bishop of Arlington, was elected Chairman-elect of the Committee on Communications. Bishop Nelson Perez, ‘89, Bishop of Cleveland, was elected Chairman-elect of the Committee on Cultural Diversity. They will assume these positions for three year terms in November 2018. Sincerely in Christ, Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan Vicar for Clergy