Amazing news!

After a lengthy floor debate, the PA House of Representatives just voted 139-56 to PASS House Bill 2050 – the Down Syndrome Protection Act! That’s a 71% majority vote and a veto-proof majority! That means despite Governor Wolf threatening a veto, this vote sets the stage for a potential override of that threat.

139 State Representatives should be thanked for their desire to protect unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome here in Pennsylvania. For now, send a “Thank You!” to Representative Judy Ward at: jward@pahousegop.com and to Speaker Mike Turzai at: mturzai@pahousegop.com for their leadership on this legislation.

Today’s vote is not the finish line. Passing the Down Syndrome Protection Act into law still has a ways to go. The next step is now up to your State Senator and the full State Senate to pass this reasonable and needed legislation. Click here to read the full email regarding the Downs Syndrome Protection Act from Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Council.

 Monday’s expected vote is going to be close.

Right now, abortion-extremist groups like Planned Parenthood are lobbying in full force against the Down Syndrome Protection Act (House Bill 2050) ahead of an expected vote in the PA House of Representatives. We’ve also been told that Governor Tom Wolf would veto the bill if it reaches his desk. All that being said, if this bill can achieve the two-thirds majority vote threshold in the House (134 votes with every State Representative present for a vote) and Senate, it will be enough to override an expected veto by Governor Wolf!

That’s the reality of Monday’s expected vote on the Down Syndrome Protection Act. There are some elected officials that agree with Planned Parenthood’s extreme view that babies can be aborted solely based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome. But, we’re close to reaching the override threshold.

Between now and Monday, can we count on you to contact your State Representative? A simple, short phone call asking for a yes vote on the Down Syndrome Protection Act truly makes a difference. And recruiting others to do the same begins to multiply its effectiveness.

Click here to identify your Legislator in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.  Please call and you can simply say the following:

“My name is ___ and I ask the Representative to please vote yes on the Down Syndrome Protection Act, House Bill 2050.”

Click here to read the full email regarding the Downs Syndrome Protection Act from Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Council.

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

Please join us on Friday evenings during Lent in Monsignor Woods Hall from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM for our Parish Lenten Fish Fry and Pizza.  We will be serving great food for dine in or take out!  Bring the whole family to socialize with fellow parishioners.  Our Fish Fry will start this Friday, February 23rd from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and will continue on Fridays throughout Lent.  Click here for the menu and order form.

The Catholic Charities Appeal opens this weekend, February 3^rd and 4^th.  Please take some time to pray, reflect, and decide how you can share your blessings to help our brothers and sisters.

Click here for more information.