- CNS News
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- Catholic Times Inserts
3 Minute Roundup
| No disagreement between CHA, bishops on health reform |
| WASHINGTON — Despite a New York Times report to the contrary, the Catholic Health Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are working together to achieve health reform legislation that does not expand federal funding of abortion, according to the CHA president and CEO. Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Dec. 28 that her organization has never wavered in its commitment to health care that protects “from conception to natural death,” as outlined in the CHA document, Our Vision for U.S. Health Care. She disputed a report in The New York Times Dec. 26 that a recent CHA statement on Senate negotiations over abortion funding in health reform legislation represented a split with the bishops. “There is not a shred of disagreement between CHA and the bishops,” Sister Carol said. “We believe there is a great possibility and probability that in conference committee we can work toward a solution that will prevent federal funding of abortion.” She said the CHA, which represents more than 600 Catholic hospitals in the U.S., “brings a lot of expertise with funding structures in the marketplace” to the debate and hopes to “bring that to bear” during the conference committee’s work. Shortly before the Senate approved its version of health reform legislation early Dec. 24, the chairmen of three USCCB committees said the bill should not be approved “without incorporating essential changes to ensure” that it “truly protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.” (CNS) |
| Aid workers fear disease in overcrowded volcano shelters |
| LEGAZPI, Philippines — Church aid workers trying to bring relief to evacuees from the danger zone around the Mayon volcano feared outbreaks of disease as evacuation centers surpassed their limits. Workers told the Asian church news agency UCA News there was a need for portable toilets, tents and building materials. “We now have 502 families — 2,288 people — in our school. Of course our classrooms can’t accommodate all of them,” Adelia Vibar, principal of the primary school in the town of San Jose, told UCA News. “I have only five toilets for all these people. If we are to avoid epidemics we need more, urgently,” Vibar said. In all, nearly 10,000 families, more than 47,000 people from 32 villages, have been evacuated from their homes around the volcano, which has been spouting ash and rumbling. The government warned an eruption was imminent. (CNS) |
| Survey: Catholics in China not keeping pace with population |
| SHIJIAZHUANG, China — A new survey of the Catholic Church in mainland China indicates that the Catholic population might not have kept pace with overall population growth. The results of the study, conducted by the Faith Institute for Cultural Studies, a church-run organization based in Shijiazhuang, were published Dec. 18 and reported by the Asian church news agency UCA News Dec. 23. The survey found that about 5.71 million Catholics live in mainland China, served by nearly 3,400 bishops, priests and deacons. Nearly 3,300 priests serve in more than 100 dioceses. The statistics did not distinguish between Catholic communities registered with the government and those that operate clandestinely. The report said figures for the latter may not be entirely accurate due to the difficulties involved in getting information. The Faith Institute for Cultural Studies spent three months gathering information through e-mails, phone calls, faxes and personal interviews. (CNS) |
Luminaries for life on parish steps
Sunday, 31 January 2010
EFFINGHAM — St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Effingham held a Luminaries for Life display Jan. 16 and 17 to commemorate the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion in the U.S.
Diocese responds with open hearts to Haiti relief efforts
Sunday, 31 January 2010
The Jan. 12 devastating earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti and its ongoing tragic aftermath drew an instant response of prayers, donations and requests from parishes, schools, individuals and organizations from throughout the Diocese of Springfield, as to what people could do to help.
Parishes ready to begin Phase I of 2010 Pastoral Planning Process
Sunday, 31 January 2010During the month of February, parishes in the Springfield diocese are scheduled to begin Phase I in the 2010 Pastoral Planning Process, according to diocesan chancellor and director of pastoral planning Marlene Mulford.
Obituary - Sister Stephanie Stauder, OP
Sunday, 31 January 2010
SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sister Stephanie Stauder, OP, died Jan. 13 at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Jan. 18, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Carrollton school hosts planning convocation
Sunday, 31 January 2010CARROLLTON — St. John the Evangelist School recently hosted a convocation as part of a long-term planning process to ensure the future of Catholic education in the area. The six-hour convocation was held during the afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 10.
St. Francis Solanus to hold parish mission
Sunday, 31 January 2010QUINCY — St. Francis Solanus Parish is hosting a mission on three nights, Sunday, Feb. 7 through Tuesday, Feb. 9 at the St. Francis Solanus Church, 1721 College Ave., in Quincy. The mission will begin at 7 p.m. each evening and end at around 8:30 p.m. Father Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM, will present “No Greater Love — Reflections on the Seven Last Words of Jesus.”
DCCW to hold annual Lenten retreat for Catholic women
Sunday, 31 January 2010The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) will hold its annual Lenten retreat on Wednesday, March 17 and Thursday, March 18 at the Villa Maria Catholic Life Center on Lake Springfield. All women of the diocese are invited.
Great River TEC offers retreats for students, young people
Sunday, 31 January 2010Five Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) retreats are planned by Great River TEC over February, March and April at the Franciscan Retreat Center of Quincy University.
Prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood protests abortion pill
Sunday, 31 January 2010
On Jan. 22, approximately 100 individuals took part in an all-day prayer vigil outside of Planned Parenthood in Springfield. The vigil, organized by two Springfield women and supported by Springfield Right to Life and the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, was a peaceful protest to Planned Parenthood bringing RU-486, the abortion pill, to the capital city.
Marchers from Springfield diocese among those witnessing for life
Sunday, 31 January 2010
All went smoothly on the Washington, D.C., pilgrimage for the March for Life group led by Kyle Holtgrave, associate director of youth and young adult ministries in the diocesan Office for Catechesis.
Love greater than trappings of traditional romance
Sunday, 31 January 2010It’s almost time for Valentine’s Day — time for chalky candy hearts, singing telegrams and roses, right?
My friends think about Valentine’s Day in two ways. One group loves it, sends out cards to everyone they know, eats candy hearts by the bushel and takes their significant others out to dinner.
Where in Bible is account of fall of Lucifer and his angels?
Sunday, 31 January 2010Q Where in the Bible is the account of the fall of the angels and St. Michael’s conquest over Lucifer? I can’t locate it. (New York)
For Pope Benedict, a different shade of green
Sunday, 31 January 2010VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Over the last few months, Pope Benedict XVI has opened a wider dialogue on the subject of environmental protection, and in the process put a sharper focus on an issue that’s become central to his pontificate.
Prophets and messengers: All is fulfilled in Jesus
Sunday, 31 January 2010Jeremiah lived at a time of political upheaval as David’s kingdom disintegrated, with the northern tribes falling under the Assyrian attack (721 B.C.). This was followed by total annihilation by Babylon and the subsequent captivity of the Jews. The prophet preached against the injustices of the ruling kings and wealthy class whose actions he implied were responsible for these calamities. Jeremiah perceived his role as prophet in a very special way believing that he had been marked out even before birth for this position for which God would protect him against his enemies!
Daily Readings
Sunday, 31 January 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of January 31 and February 7.
Diocesan Datebook
Sunday, 31 January 2010Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese.