Catholic Dioceses, Agencies Sue To Stop HHS Mandate

WASHINGTON (CNS)-Forty-three Catholic dioceses, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other institutions filed suit in federal court May 21 to stop three government agencies from implementing a mandate that would require them to cover contraceptives and sterilization in their health plans.

“Through this lawsuit, plaintiffs do not seek to impose their religious beliefs on others,” said one of the suits, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, diocesan Catholic Charities, St. Anne Home and Retirement Community, Franciscan Alliance, University of St. Francis and Our Sunday Visitor.

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Singer Pip Added To Congress Youth Track

COLLEGE PARK-Singer Pip is scheduled to perform and speak at the June Eucharistic Congress.

A Marietta native, Phillip “Pip” Arnold recently appeared in front of millions as he performed on “The Voice” on NBC.

Photo: Pip Arnold (Photo provided by Chris Arnold)

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Carrollton Church Marks Golden Jubilee

CARROLLTON—Bill Maddox carried the cross down the aisle of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, as his mind recalled names of people and families who once filled the wooden pews. Some are buried in the nearby parish cemetery, where flowers decorate metal grave markers; others have moved away.

On March 26, the community gathered with Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory to mark its 50th jubilee.

This granite and redwood church seats a little more than 400 people. It is the center of Catholic life for two west Georgia counties, Carroll and Haralson.

Photo: The Carrollton parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help marked the 50th anniversary of its church building with a special Mass and celebration March 26. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

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Holy Cross Welcomes IHM Sisters For Golden Jubilee

ATLANTA—In 1968 Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters Mary Ann Flanagan and Sharon Holland journeyed to the mission territory of Atlanta to a budding parish, Holy Cross, to pioneer what was then an innovative new form of religious education in partnership with the laity: a school of religion.

The two nuns and friends retained cherished memories through the decades of their time at Holy Cross. They returned there April 21 to poignantly celebrate their golden jubilee of religious life among some 70 former catechists and friends.

Photo: Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters Mary Ann Flanagan, left, and Sharon Holland stand with retired Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran at the sisters’ golden jubilee celebration at Holy Cross Church, Atlanta. Sister Mary Ann and Sister Sharon returned April 21 to gather with friends at the place where their religious lives began. (Photo by Cindy Connell Palmer)

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