Catholic Agencies Mandated To Offer Free Contraception, Sterilization In Health Plans

WASHINGTON (CNS)- Although Catholic leaders vowed to fight on, the Obama administration has turned down repeated requests from Catholic bishops, hospitals, schools and charitable organizations to revise its religious exemption to the requirement that all health plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge.

Instead, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced Jan. 20 that nonprofit groups that do not provide contraceptive coverage because of their religious beliefs will get an additional year “to adapt to this new rule.”

Photo: The first 20 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution are pictured etched into a wall outside the Newseum in Washington Jan. 30. The establishment clause prevents the formation of a national religion. The free exercise clause prohibits religious persecution and discrimination by the government. (CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

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Archbishop: Nation 'Divided Against Itself' On Life

Echoing the Gospel reading from St. Mark, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory said Jan. 23 that the United States is a “kingdom divided against itself” regarding the life issue, and “if a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand.”

“We are a nation that was born while proclaiming life to be among the greatest and most enduring of all human rights,” the archbishop said, referring to the Declaration of Independence and its “inalienable human rights” of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Photo: Paul Kelly and his 10-year-old son Aidan, foreground, join hundreds of others gathering for the Together for Life rally in front of the Georgia State Capitol, Jan. 23. The event was sponsored by Georgia Right to Life. (Photo by Michael Alexander)

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Archbishop Asks For Support Of 2012 Annual Appeal

ATLANTA—The 2012 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal was announced in parishes this past weekend, with Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory by letter asking Catholics to support this annual fundraising effort “so that the many ministries operating in central and north Georgia may continue to bring knowledge and practice of the faith as well as provide material relief, counsel, hope and joy to our community.”

The theme of this year’s Annual Appeal is, “Do everything for the glory of God,” which Archbishop Gregory said “speaks to God’s call to surrender all we do and all we are to our Lord.”

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St. Ann Church Responds To Pastor's Plea For Poor

MARIETTA- It began with a simple idea of providing candles to MUST Ministries for the homeless in hopes of keeping rats away while they slept in the streets. Just two months later, the response and support of the parishioners at St. Ann Church has turned into a full-fledged ministry to help the less fortunate.

When St. Ann’s pastor Father Tom Reilly was approached during a liturgy meeting with the idea of collecting candles for the homeless, the priest felt that there had to be something more they could do to help. So he recorded a video message to be played during Mass throughout Advent, encouraging members to get involved in this budding ministry.

Photo: Jack Busche, left, ministry coordinator for the Church of St. Ann, Marietta, and pastor, LaSalette Father Thomas Reilly, stand among some of the backpacks and supplies set for distribution to homeless veterans. Since last December the parish has raised several thousand dollars in order to meet and sustain this response to the homeless throughout 2012. (Photo by Michael Alexander)

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