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From the Pastor: Please read this important announcement from Archbishop Hanus. Dear Friends in Christ, I write to you concerning a serious matter that impacts us as Catholic citizens in this country. You have most likely read or heard about this matter in the media. A recent government action touches directly the Catholic Church in the United States. This matter strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for us and citizens of any faith. In developing rules to implement the federal health care reform law, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be required to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization and contraception, including abortion-causing drugs. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies. Unless the rule is overturned, Catholics will face a difficult dilemma: either violate their consciences or drop health coverage for employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). I believe that most of us consider this new rule from the Department of Health and Human Services to be both unconstitutional and immoral. To correct this threat to religious liberty and rights of conscience, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1476). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.” I urge you to contact members of Congress to support this legislation. To send an e-mail to Congress, go to www.usscb.org/conscience and click on “Write to Congress.” You may also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or call the local offices of your members of Congress. As a community of faith, let us commit ourselves to prayer and action to maintain our First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion. Sincerely yours, + Jerome Hanus osB Archbishop of Dubuque In the Peace of Christ, Fr. David Beckman The Catholicism video series will be offered at St. Matthew’s beginning THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING at 7:00 PM -8:15PM in the Rosary Room. For the first time, in breathtaking, high definition cinematography, the beauty and truth of the Catholic Faith is illustrated in a rich, multimedia experience. Journey around the world and deep into the Faith with acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian Fr. Robert Barron. Be illuminated by the spiritual and artistic treasures of this global culture that claims more than one billion people. Discover the full meaning of the Faith. Ten episodes, ten hours, one film series. The video series will be shown on consecutive Wednesday evenings (except Ash Wed) beginning January 25. Come for some, or come for all ten…but COME! All are welcome. This week’s episode is “Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God Become Man.” aLL ARE WELCOME! nO cHARGE! FREE REFRESHMENT Child care is available - please call 363-0538 at least 24 hours in advance. Get the entire schedule of the series by clicking on the words Catholicism Film series in the Faith formation section of this page. Like us on FACEBOOK:
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