Gaylord, MI 49735 
Secretariat for Justice and Peace
The Office of Justice and Peace for the Diocese of Gaylord exists to provide support and information on social justice issues in our parish communities.
“Our faith calls us to work for justice: to serve those in need; to pursue peace; to defend life, dignity and rights of all our sisters and brothers. This is the call of Jesus, the challenge of the prophets, and the living tradition of the Church. ” (A Century of Social Teaching, NCCB, 1991).
SEE IMMEDICATE ACTION ITEMS AND
UPCMOMING EVENTS BELOW!
Awakening the Dreamer Workshop
Hello Friends:
Below is an informational flyer for a creative presentation at Grayling St. Mary's on Saturday, March 24. The interactive workshop presentation is intended for ADULTS and HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, and will focus on the rights of all people to clean air and water, and healthy food and environment. Please post or distribute the flyer as you wish!
There is NO FEE for the workshop.
Peace!
U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict
DATE: January 20, 2012
FROM: Sr. Mary Ann Walsh
O: 202-541-3200
M: 301-325-7935
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. BISHOPS VOW TO FIGHT HHS EDICT
Unconscionable to force citizens to buy contraceptives against their will
No change in limited exemption, only delay in enforcement
Matter of freedom of conscience, freedom of religion
WASHINGTON-The Catholic bishops of the United States called "literally unconscionable" a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today's announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.
"In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences," said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The cardinal-designate continued, "To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable. It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty."
The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception - including controversial abortifacients - be included among "preventive services" coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. "The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs," added Cardinal-designate Dolan.
At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.
"This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights," said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. "I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all."
Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision. Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.
"This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection," Sister Keehan said.
Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned.
"The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand," he said. "The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision."
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First Amendment, heath care, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Freedom of Conscience, U.S. bishops, United States Conference of Catholic bishops, President Obama, Sister Carol Keehan
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12-012
SEC.DD.HealthCare,RadioRelig,CNS,RNS,Crux
USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat
Lenten Immigration Series
The attachment below details information about a Lenten Immigration Series at the Traverse City Presbyterian Church. The Series is a follow-up to an immigration workshop presented by Rev Mark Adams of Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian bi-national Border Ministry based in Douglas, AZ, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, MX. The Church and its Pastor, Rev. Becky Chamberlain, have kindly extended a welcome to all interested persons to attend the events listed on the attachment.
The Traverse City Presbyterian Church is located just off OLD AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD, which was the ACCESS ROAD to the FORMER AIRPORT TERMINAL in Traverse City.
Peace!
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