10th Anniversary Observance of 9/11 Attacks: San Francisco

The San Francisco Interfaith Council is joining forces with Mayor Ed Lee's office and the San Francisco Opera to convene the 10th anniversary observance of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

This observance will be held in concert with the San Francisco Opera's annual Opera in the Park, scheduled for:

2:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011
Sharon Meadows,
Golden Gate Park,
San Francisco, California

For more information: http://www.sfinterfaithcouncil.org/10th_anniv_911.html

On Facebook, search for: 'San Francisco Interfaith Council' or go to (http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-Interfaith-Council/120323438022137?sk=wall)

Please Contact Your US Senators to Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.

You, the Catholic voter, are the only one who can make a difference: millions of Catholic voters do have a voice.  Together we can defend all the Catholic doctors and nurses in America who must defend life directly in their day to day jobs. What to do?  Write or phone your Congressperson.

The 2010 comprehensive health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), poses new risks to religious freedom and rights of conscience.

To correct these problems, Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK) introduced the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions".

Please contact your U.S. Senators: (1) Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or (2) send an e-mail through NCHLA's Action Center: http://www.nchla.org, or (3) find contact info at: www.senate.gov.
 

UPDATE: I just went to the NCHLA website, and found many current Action Alerts for legislation pending before the US Congress regarding protection for the unborn and protection of the conscience rights of health care workers.  It only took me 5 minutes to send emails -- the form letter is all ready to go -- EASY!

Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, August 21, 2011

In today's Gospel, St. Peter is given the keys of the Kingdom by Jesus Christ.  In other words, St. Peter is made Prime Minister.

The Old Testament reading shows the ancient Hebrew practice of appointing a Prime Minister: giving the authority to open/shut, bind/loose.

Bible readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082111.cfm

Reflect more at this link: http://stm-fet.blogspot.com/p/adult-faith-formation-column_26.html#21aug11

A woman at my parish runs a weekly bulletin article with reflections on the Sunday Gospel taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, writings of Popes, and Saints.

God bless you all.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference reaches out to rural America

He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. --Deuteronomy 10:18

Catholic Church Helps Rural America.  
The National Catholic Rural Life Conference is dedicated to applying the teachings of Jesus Christ for the betterment of rural America.  NCRLC is sponsored by Catholic dioceses across America.  Their website has a wealth of information on food justice, the ethics of eating, and spiritual resources.  Of especial note is their "Faith-Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger" to help us understand the facts, reflect and pray, and choose appropriate action.  Learn more at: http://www.ncrlc.com

Hunger Damages Children and Adults.  
Did you know?  "Hunger is more than pangs in the stomach. Malnutrition and undernutrition lead to physical impairment; a person who hungers on a daily basis can no longer maintain natural bodily capacities. For children, this means impairment to growth and learning abilities. For women, hunger affects pregnancy and lactation; for men, physical work. For all people, the lack of food leads to various diseases and prevents the ability to recover quickly, if at all."  (from "A Faith-Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger", NCRLC, www.ncrlc.com)


Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. - Proverbs 22:2