Archives for March 2018

Today is World Down Syndrome Day and to celebrate, would you take five minutes for the following action steps?

 

Three minutes: Watch this video.

Karen Gaffney is perhaps the most eloquent and effective advocate for protecting the rights of people with Down syndrome. She came to Pennsylvania in support of the Down Syndrome Protection Act (House Bill 2050 & Senate Bill 1050) and delivered a powerful message. We just published the following video highlighting her rally speech – click here to watch.

 

One minute: Share this video.

Gaffney’s message is one we want all of Pennsylvania to know. Whether it’s forwarding this email or sharing it on Facebook, please help us spread this message.

 

In addition, if you would request your church or small group to play this video, click here to download the video.

 

One minute: Call your State Representative in support of the Down Syndrome Protection Act.

House Bill 2050 (and Senate Bill 1050) would prohibit an abortion of any child solely due to a prenatal diagnosis of possible Down syndrome. Lawmakers won’t act on this legislation unless they hear from you and me so would you please take a minute to call your State Representative today with this simple message (and leave a message if you get their voicemail):

 

“My name is Michael and I ask for your support of the Down Syndrome Protection Act – House Bill 2050.”

 

By our records, your State Representative is John T. Galloway 215-943-7206.

 

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Just as Karen Gaffney put it during the Down Syndrome Protection Act rally:

 

“It was a wave of humanity that lifted us out of institutions, brought us home, got us into schools, and included us in the community of life, ladies and gentleman. And it will require another wave of humanity to STOP the targeting of Down syndrome around the world. It requires people like you to stand up for us and with us to help us show the world that Down syndrome is a life worth saving.”

 

 

announcement74.pdf

announcement74.pdf

STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. Cap.

ON THE OCCASION OF POPE FRANCIS’ 5TH ANNIVERSARY

IN PETRINE MINISTRY

“On behalf of the priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I offer prayerful best wishes to Pope Francis as he marks the 5th  anniversary of his Petrine ministry. I’ve admired and respected his keen focus on service to the poor since we first met as young bishops delegated to the 1997 Special Assembly for the Americas.

The people of our local Church will always have a special bond with this pope and remember with great joy his presence here at the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families in 2015. His time with us was filled with powerful public moments and deeply grace filled intimate gatherings hallmarked by an overarching spirit of mercy, compassion, and charity. Those moments were special gifts that we can all use to build a stronger society and a stronger Church.

From a broader perspective, Pope Francis has consistently spoken in a style appealingly his own and has gained the attention of Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He’s grasped that our modern world is morally fractured and that it’s mission territory.

He’s repeatedly challenged us to bear witness to Christ through concrete action—by serving the poor, by helping immigrants, by preserving families, and by protecting the sanctity of life. It’s the kind of challenge we can and should answer with a hearty yes each day.

May God bless Pope Francis and may the Holy Spirit grant him wisdom as shepherd of the Universal Church.”

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Archbishop of Philadelphia

 

Call to Action

Dear Friend, Congress will decide soon (most likely during the week of March 12) whether to include the Conscience Protection Act (CPA) in must-pass government funding legislation.    In a statement issued today, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, chair of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty urge the faithful to flood Congress with emails and calls asking for enactment of the Conscience Protection Act as part of the 2018 funding bill and to pray for this outcome.  Their statement can be read here. Your help is needed to get the word out far and wide to urge the faithful to do three things: Pray that Congress will enact the CPA and activate other prayer warriors, chains, groups, etc.   Email and call your Senators and Representative and urge them to include the CPA in the FY 2018 appropriations omnibus bill. You can do that easily here. Calls and emails can be made/sent anytime before March 16 but sooner is better and a particular focus for action is urged on Monday, March 12. For those who don’t have access to email, Members of Congress can be reached by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking to be connected with their Representative or Senators.   Share this alert on social media to raise awareness and prompt action. Thank you for all you can do to help spread the word! Sincerely, Brian Duggan Executive Director  NCHLA/HLA bduggan@nchla.org 240-478-0794 mobile Greg Schleppenbach Associate Director Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Soup Supper / Adult Faith Formation Session

Due to the snow storm this evening, our Soup Supper and Adult Faith Formation Session has been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, March 14.  The Soup Supper will be at 6:00 PM and the Faith Formation session, An Encounter With Mercy, will begin at 7:00 PM. Both events are in the Monsignor Woods Hall.

Walking With Purpose

Due to the snow storm which resulted in moving the Soup Supper and Adult Faith Formation from Wednesday, March 7 to March 14, the Walking with Purpose Connect Coffee Talk entitled Children – Reaching Your Child’s Heart, which were scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 at 10:30 AM and Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 PM have been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 15 at 10:30 AM and Wednesday, May 16 at 7:00 PM.

Earlier today Crux published the text of a Q and A with Archbishop Chaput, “Coercion in American Culture is ‘Soft’ but Real.” You can read the full text of the Archbishop’s exchange with Crux contributor Charles Camosy at the following link https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2018/02/28/chaput-coercion-american-culture-soft-real/.

 

There is a renewed push for harmful legislation here in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, 18 State Senators and 74 State Representatives are cosponsors to legislation with dangerous consequences to your religious freedom and privacy rights – Senate Bill 613 & House Bill 1410.

 

That’s more than one third of both the State House and State Senate sponsoring a bill jeopardizing your fundamental freedoms. That is too close for such problematic legislation. Don’t let this continue.

 

So I ask: Can I count on your help?

 

1. Will you contact your State Senator and State Representative about the harms of SB 613 & HB 1410?
2. Will you use our free eBook [more below] to share and defend against this dangerous legislation?

 

1. Take Action

Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and tell them to oppose SB 613 and HB 1410. We’ve made it easy to email both through our Citizen Action Center.

Click here to contact your elected officials.

 

2. Free eBook

There have been misunderstandings circulating about on this legislation that we want to help resolve, which is why we have created an eBook containing valuable facts and insights to help inform and educate on SB 613 and HB 1410.

 

Ironically, not only would SB613 and HB1410 jeopardize your fundamental freedoms but it would also add the following line to our existing law:

 

Public policies, reflecting an open and welcoming environment and ensuring equal opportunity, foster economic growth and prosperity which benefit the inhabitants of this Commonwealth.

 

Public policies that are truly “open” and “welcoming” would provide space for all people to live and work in the public square according to their conscience. But SB 613 and HB 1410 would do the exact opposite, potentially treating good people as enemies of the state.

 

What you’ll find in this new eBook:

 

1) SB 613 / HB 1410 IS UNFAIR TO HARD-WORKING PENNSYLVANIANS.

 

FACT #1 –  SB 613 & HB 1410 would force good people to either participate in events or messages contrary to their beliefs or face crippling fines and penalties. No one should be forced to choose between their business or their faith.

 

See what’s happened around the country when states pass laws like SB613 and HB1410.

 

FACT #2 – SB 613 & HB 1410 would make it illegal for religious schools and churches to hire employees that agree with their teachings on sexuality, marriage and gender.

 

Read the eBook for more about what one State Senator says should happen to a school here in Pennsylvania.

 

2) SB 613 / HB 1410 ALLOWS MEN IN WOMEN’S RESTROOMS.

 

FACT #3 – Laws like SB 613 and HB 1410 have been used to force employers and schools to open sex-specific locker-rooms, showers and restrooms to those of the opposite biological sex.

 

While the bill does not specifically say “bathroom” it does discuss “facilities” and “privileges,” which have been read elsewhere to include restrooms, locker rooms and showers. And states like Washington have made it clear that these types of laws are vehicles to forcing open such facilities to members of the opposite biological sex.

 

Find out exactly how SB613 & HB1410 would affect bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities.

 

The state officials that are sponsoring this harmful legislation may certainly be driven by good intentions.  But they are now taking a law intended to prevent discrimination and amending it in a way that it can be used to punish many good people in Pennsylvania.

 

Thank you for reading this eBook and putting it to use in helping to defend religious freedom and privacy rights here in Pennsylvania.

 

One final note – the only reason this dangerous legislation has not become law yet is because of people like you getting involved. We were told in 2016 that it was a “done deal” yet you joined thousands in teaming up with Pennsylvania Family Council to make your concerns loud and clear to elected officials. And we stopped it.

 

If we are going to continue to protect religious freedom and to defend privacy rights here in Pennsylvania, it’s going to be because individuals and families came together and committed themselves to doing something about it.

 

I know with your continued partnership with us that I’ve been able to count on you as an advocate for pro-family values and I’m glad to have your help as we continue this ongoing battle. Thanks for your continued support.

 

Sincerely,

Michael Geer, President

Pennsylvania Family Council