Made for Love (MUR e-news) (USCCB, March 2019)

March 2019 March 2019 Continuing the U.S. Bishops' work of promoting and defending marriage. Visit our Website Made for Love Podcast Last month's "Made for Love" topics were the Joy of Pets and The Five Love Languages. This month's "Made for Love" topics are good preparations for Lent! First is "Momento Mori", "remember death", which features Sister Theresa Aletheia, the Daughter of St. Paul who is also the author of the Momento Mori Journal and Lenten Devotional. Father Paul Dressler, OFM Cap. also shares a story of a death in his family. Then the podcast looks at the opioid addiction crisis in the U.S. with personal stories of two men in recovery and hope from Bishop Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington. Updated FAQ's The MUR FAQ's were recently updated in order to address the new climate after Obergefell and answer some newer questions, such as: Should a Catholic attend a same-sex "wedding"? Since all people deserve equal rights, why doesn’t the Church support “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” (SOGI) non-discrimination legislation? What is the threat to religious freedom posed by “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (SOGI) non-discrimination legislation? We have also added a document on current threats to religious freedom that relate to marriage and human sexuality. Current Threats to Religious Freedom Keep updated on current threats to religious freedom that relate to marriage and human sexuality. USCCB Action Center All the USCCB's action alerts for legislative priorities are available at one website. There you can contact your representatives and make your voice heard. Check it out! Legal/ Policy Updates The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals– The divide between the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals grew on February 6, when the 5th Circuit ruled against a “transgender woman” in an employment lawsuit. Though the core ruling only dealt with a dispute of facts, one of the judges additionally opined that Title VII’s prohibition of discrimination based on “sex” does not include “gender identity” in the 5th Circuit.  Iowa – The Business Leaders in Christ chapter at the University of Iowa won their federal lawsuit, on February 6, against the university which tried to terminate their recognition on account of the statement of faith required of leadership, which includes traditional views on marriage and sexuality. A week later in state court, a state-employed female nurse who identifies as a “man” won $120,000 against the state for preventing her from using the men’s restroom at her correctional facility worksite. Virginia – The lawsuit of Gavin Grimm, whose case against her Virginia school for not letting her use the boys’ restroom was almost heard by the US Supreme Court in 2017, continues despite her graduating and moving to California. On February 14, the judge permitted her to add to the lawsuit an effort to change the sex listed on her high school transcript. California - On February 11, 2019, a feminist writer and journalist sued Twitter in California state court after being banned for posting Tweets questioning how “transgender” people could be the sex that they claim to be. Made for Love | USCCB | (202) 541-3000 | defenseofmarriage@usccb.org| www.marriageuniqueforareason.org STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌

News from the USCCB subcommittee for the promotion an defense of marriage

March 2019 March 2019 Continuing the U.S. Bishops' work of promoting and defending marriage. Visit our Website Made for Love Podcast Last month's "Made for Love" topics were the Joy of Pets and The Five Love Languages. This month's "Made for Love" topics are good preparations for Lent! First is "Momento Mori", "remember death", which features Sister Theresa Aletheia, the Daughter of St. Paul who is also the author of the Momento Mori Journal and Lenten Devotional. Father Paul Dressler, OFM Cap. also shares a story of a death in his family. Then the podcast looks at the opioid addiction crisis in the U.S. with personal stories of two men in recovery and hope from Bishop Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington. Updated FAQ's The MUR FAQ's were recently updated in order to address the new climate after Obergefell and answer some newer questions, such as: Should a Catholic attend a same-sex "wedding"? Since all people deserve equal rights, why doesn't the Church support "sexual orientation" or "gender identity" (SOGI) non-discrimination legislation? What is the threat to religious freedom posed by "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" (SOGI) non-discrimination legislation? We have also added a document on current threats to religious freedom that relate to marriage and human sexuality. Current Threats to Religious Freedom Keep updated on current threats to religious freedom that relate to marriage and human sexuality. USCCB Action Center All the USCCB's action alerts for legislative priorities are available at one website. There you can contact your representatives and make your voice heard. Check it out! Legal/ Policy Updates The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals– The divide between the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals grew on February 6, when the 5th Circuit ruled against a "transgender woman" in an employment lawsuit. Though the core ruling only dealt with a dispute of facts, one of the judges additionally opined that Title VII's prohibition of discrimination based on "sex" does not include "gender identity" in the 5th Circuit.  Iowa – The Business Leaders in Christ chapter at the University of Iowa won their federal lawsuit, on February 6, against the university which tried to terminate their recognition on account of the statement of faith required of leadership, which includes traditional views on marriage and sexuality. A week later in state court, a state-employed female nurse who identifies as a "man" won $120,000 against the state for preventing her from using the men's restroom at her correctional facility worksite. Virginia – The lawsuit of Gavin Grimm, whose case against her Virginia school for not letting her use the boys' restroom was almost heard by the US Supreme Court in 2017, continues despite her graduating and moving to California. On February 14, the judge permitted her to add to the lawsuit an effort to change the sex listed on her high school transcript. California - On February 11, 2019, a feminist writer and journalist sued Twitter in California state court after being banned for posting Tweets questioning how "transgender" people could be the sex that they claim to be. Made for Love | USCCB | (202) 541-3000 | defenseofmarriage@usccb.org| www.marriageuniqueforareason.org STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌

USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017-1194 Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by usccbweb@usccb.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Mother, daughter talked about demons before massacre that left 5 family members dead, sister says (nj.com, 2/28/19)

https://www.nj.com//news/2019/02/mother-daughter-were-talking-about-demons-before-massacre-that-left-5-family-members-dead-sister-says.html

Bucks County needs "protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil."

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time (3/3/19) (audio) (signed homily)

• Let there be no doubt - Bucks County needs "protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil."
• Inside a cramped Bucks County apartment, a murder-suicide pact left 5 family members dead, survivors say (Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/26/19)
• 2 cousins, Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz, facing charges over 4 Bucks County killings (Summer 2017)

• While Pa's Casey and Toomey both voted pro life on S311 (Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act), NJ's Booker and Menendez voted in a pro death manner (2/25/19)

• Summit with an unclear agenda offers elusive suggestions, vague assurances (Catholic World Report, 2/24/19) 

• The Porn Epidemic and the Church's Silence (Parts 1 and 2, 2/23-24/19)
  

• Sign the Petition to Repeal the Abortion Law (NYS Catholic Conf, 2/20/19)  

• "One of the most important elements offered to the modern reader by [Saint Peter] Damian’s work is his understanding of 'sodomy' not merely as a sexual perversion involving two people of the same sex, but rather a continuum of sins that progressively depart from the nature of the sexual act. This continuum begins with acts such as contraception and self-abuse....the majority of Catholics today are practicing a form of 'sodomy,' one that may easily lead to worse perversions" (Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, 2/21/19).

• A Fabulous Way to Honor Saint Patrick in Anticipation of March 17!   Though last year's result of Ireland's abortion referendum vote was not altogether unexpected, the margin of victory for the pro death cause was unexpected.  Irish heroine Joanna Jordan is bringing evidence of election fraud to European courts.  Assistance for her efforts can be sent to:

• Support the Born Alive Survivors Protection Act (HR 962) (NCHLA, 2/26/19) 
• Support the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (USCCB)
• Urge your Representative and Senators to repeal the "Parking Lot Tax!" (USCCB)
• Give Americans Health Plans That Do Not Cover Abortion (NCHLA. 2/12/19)
• I Cherish Life: I call on Congress to ban late term abortions when babies feel pain!(Family Policy Alliance, 2/6/19)
• Tell the Senate to Reject Religion Tests for Judicial Nominees (USCCB, 2/6/19)
• Common Ground on the INEQUALITY of the So-Called Equality Act?(cf.,Andrew Sullivan, NY Magazine, 2/1/19)
• Equality Act and Do No Harm Act with Robert Vega (USCCB, 1/26/19)
• FW: Made for Love (MUR e-news) February 2019
• Save the Hyde Amendment (March for Life Action, 1/24/19)
• Sen Paul Reintroduces 'Life at Conception Act' and Bill to End Planned Parenthood Funding (CNSNews, 1/18/19) 
• Stop Taxpayer Funding of Abortion: "New threats are emerging at the state and federal levels to force us taxpayers to pay for abortion. Please sign our new petition demanding that elected officials prevent taxpayer funding of abortion. You can sign the petition by clicking here." (Pa Pro Life Federation, 1/28/19 email)

• Please Urge Lawmakers to support an increase in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/26/19)
• Please urge your [Pa] Representative or Senator to suppot or co-sponsor Down Syndrome Protection Legislation (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/13/19)
• Please ask your State Representative to Co-Sponsor the "Heart-Beat Bill" proposed by Stephanie Borow (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/11/19)
• Urge your State Senator to co-sponsor Sen. Judy Ward's bill on Keystone Scholarship Program (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/8/19)
• Urge your lawmakers to support [Pa] House Bill 51 which helps individuals looking to receive nursing care (Pa Catholic Conference, 2/4/19)
• [Pa] Lawmakers want to take away our right to vote for judges (Pa Pro Life Federation, 1/28/19 email

• New Jersey's so-called "Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill" (2/21/19)
• Contact Your Legislators to Oppose Assisted Suicide (NJ Catholic Conference)
• Ask Murphy to Maintain Nonpublic School Funding in Budget (NJ Catholic Conference)

On the right side of the home page, you will find links to email Church leadership about "Catholic" health care, Bucks country representation in DC, Bucks County representation in Harrisburg, Central NJ representation in DC (some updates needed) and Central NJ in Trenton (as per most recent update from NJ Catholic Conference)

Please Urge Lawmakers to support an increase in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) (Pa Catholic Conf, 2/26/19)

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: PA Catholic Conference <advocate@pacatholic.org>
Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2019, 10:40 AM
Subject: Please Urge Lawmakers to support an increase in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)
To: Faithful InTheEighth <FaithfulInThe8th@gmail.com>

There are bills in both the PA House and Senate that would increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit. This program has been a big help to schools across Pennsylvania. It's been especially good f

There are bills in both the PA House and Senate that would increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit. This program has been a big help to schools across Pennsylvania. It's been especially good for Catholic schools. This petition would urge Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor these bills.  The House bill--as yet unnumbered-- has been proposed by Speaker Mike Turzai. It calls for a $100-million increase in EITC K-12 scholarships next year. This would be the largest one-year increase in the program since its inception.    Meanwhile, Senator Mike Regan has introduced SB 299. This calls for a 25% automatic "escalator" in both the EITC and the OSTC--Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit--by 25% annually, if 90% of tax credits were used. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/L6b1lq6ZPTYDxHAEFWbA8Q Find us on Follow us on Subscribe to To manage your alert preferences including the issues about which you'd like to receive alerts, click here

Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.