August 29,
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

"The situation in Afghanistan is quickly deteriorating in a devastating way....We're witnessing the resurrection of ISIS. The Taliban's brutality to women and Christians has been well documented ....President Biden has allowed the Taliban to take over Afghanistan in a catastrophe of epic proportions....The ACLJ is mobilizing – including through our offices in the region – to defend Christians' lives in Afghanistan. Our legal team is already using our resources and contacts on Capitol Hill to try to help children who are stranded get out. We're submitting filings on this emergency for U.N. consideration and filing critical records demands of the Biden Administration (which will likely lead to a lawsuit) in just days. Be a voice for the voiceless. Take action with us to help save U.S. citizens, children, and Christian lives in Afghanistan. Sign NEW Petition: Save Christians, Kids, & Americans." (ACLJ, 8/27/21 email)

Memorial of St. Augustine of Hippo (8/28/29). Based on Augustine, we have the "Just War" Theory:

"The rise in coronavirus vaccine mandates around the country, including at Catholic diocesan offices, hospitals and universities, has prompted a parallel increase in interest in a vaccine exemption template letter developed by the National Catholic Bioethics Center.... [In December 2020,] The Vatican’s doctrinal office said...'the licit use of such vaccines does not and should not in any way imply that there is a moral endorsement of the use of cell lines proceeding from aborted fetuses.' The doctrinal office also said those who refuse for reasons of conscience 'must do their utmost to avoid, by other prophylactic means and appropriate behavior, becoming vehicles for the transmission of the infectious agent' to those who are the most vulnerable.... [A number of] bishops and diocesan officials have urged priests to avoid giving religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccines to parishioners.... [In addition to Chicago,] Similar instructions have been given to priests by Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle; Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego; Father Michael F. Hennelly, vicar for clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Msgr. Joseph LaMorte, vicar general in the Archdiocese of New York; the COVID-19 Task Force in the Diocese of Honolulu; and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles" (CatholicPhilly.com, 8/27/21)

NCBC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates (Amended) (8/23/21)

Joint Statement: Vaccines and Conscience Protection (American College of Pediatricians, Catholic Medical Associations, Christian Medical and Dental Association, National Association of Catholic Nurses, U.S.A., 3/24/21)
Letters to Pharmaceutical Companies ["to protest the use of abortion-derived cell lines and advocate for the development of vaccines with no connection to abortion."] (USCCB)

Unravelling the most bizarre attack on human dignity

Dear Faithful,

America is being hoodwinked by transgender ideology. But you don't have to be.

Look no further for everything you need to know about this bizarre attack on human dignity.

What is Transgenderism?

The story of transgenderism has been developing for more than half a century. The very concept of "sex-change" operations could only be dreamed up by a deranged group of sex-mad doctors — in this case, John Money, Harry Benjamin, and the infamous Alfred Kinsey.

What Percentage of Transgenders Regret Surgery?

Statistics vary on the numbers of people who regret having surgery to change from male to female or vice versa. We will look at some recent data and at some real-life stories to get a better picture of what happens when someone decides to alter his or her sex.

Transgenderism on the Rise in America: What's a Catholic to Do?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about one million people in the U.S. identify as transgender. That's about 0.6% of the adult population.

Hyde Amendment Under Attack

The Hyde Amendment is one of the most important pro-life achievements in U.S. history. But right now, it is under serious threat.

Pushing Back Against Transgenderism

You may remember the tragic case of James Younger from last year. James is a now-eight-year-old boy who lives in Texas. His mother, Anne Georgulas, who is a pediatrician, believes that James is "transgender."

UPDATE: Here's where to donate to help agencies respond to the Haiti earthquake (Catholic News Service, 8/16/21)

If you want to stop fetal cell research, don't buy these products (HLI, 8/12/21)

Are Patients Declared "Brain Dead" Really Dead? (Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization, 8/11/21)

Email Bishop O'Connell and Archbishop Perez to ask that James Martin, SJ, NOT be allowed to mislead & scatter their flocks.

Email Bishop Callahan about Fr Altman, Msgr Burrill, and the USCCB.

Save Hyde Open Letter

Email NJ's congressional delegation and Email Pa's congressional delegation to request they

SUPPORT
the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,
the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act,
the Dignity for Aborted Children Act,

the Life at Conception Act, &
the SAVE Moms and Babies Act.
& OPPOSE

HJ Res 17 / SJ Res 1,

the misnamed Equality and Do No Harm Acts,

efforts to weaken the Hyde Amendment (2) (3) (4)

funding for Planned Parenthood (and all involved with abortion.).

HR 1 / S 1,

and any COVID relief funds for abortion!

Also Tell President Biden that you oppose

the anti life HJ Res 17 & SJ Res 1,
the anti life Equality Act
(& so-called Do No Harm Act),
any weakening of the Hyde Amendment,
any funding for Planned Parenthood and others involved with abortion
the anti freedom HR 1/ S 1,
any COVID bills that fund abortion

Email all Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, & Ocean delegations in Trenton

Action Needed to Oppose the NJ Reproductive Freedom Act (S3030/A4848) (NJ Right to Life)

Email the Bucks delegation in Harrisburg, to defend human life (e.g., promote HB 118, the Final Disposition of Fetal Remains Act;HB 1500, the Down Syndrome Protection Act; HB 904, the Fetal Heartbeat Bill) and marriage/family, as well as to promote conscience protection/religious freedom.

Stop Harmful Marijuana Legalization in Pennsylvania (Pa Family Institute, 3/15/21)

Pass the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (Pa Family, 4/7/21)

"The PA Catholic Conference (PCC)... called on the University of Pittsburgh to stop all experiments with aborted babies & for Pennsylvania lawmakers to open a full investigation into the extent of this practice. 'We are horrified by reports that researchers at the school used scalps from aborted babies to create so-called ‘humanized mice’ for research,' said PCC Executive Director Eric Failing" (Pa Catholic Conference, 5/7/21)