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)
 
Diocesan Datebook Print
Sunday, 22 November 2009 00:00

 

Daily events occuring throughout the Diocese.

Tuesday, Nov. 24

DECATUR — Free prostate exam offered by St. Mary’s Hospital and Lake Shore Urology, 1750 Lake Shore Drive, Suite. 310, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call for appointment (217) 464-1220.

EFFINGHAM — Cesarean Section class, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, 6:30 p.m. (217) 347-1529.

NEWTON — Free blood pressure screening, Jasper County Senior Center, 10-11 a.m. (217) 347-1529.

SPRINGFIELD — Grief support group, St. John’s Hospital, 4:30-6 p.m. (217) 525-5675.

SPRINGFIELD — “Surgical Discovery” pre-op tour, St. John’s Hospital, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (217) 757-6565.

SPRINGFIELD — “Eating Mindfully Through the Holidays,” five-week program,  St. John’s Hospital, 6-7:30 p.m., $60. (217) 544-LIVE (5483).

SPRINGFIELD — SIDS support group, St. John’s Hospital, 6:45-8 p.m. (217) 525-5675.

Wednesday, Nov. 25

CLAY CITY — Free blood pressure screening, Clay City Community Building, 10:30-11 a.m. (217) 347-1529.

SPRINGFIELD — Catholic Mass, Memorial Medical Center, 4:05 p.m. (217) 788-3585.

SPRINGFIELD — Breast Cancer Network of Strength, St. John’s Hospital, 5-6:30 p.m. (217) 544-6464.

Sunday, Nov. 29

CHARLESTON — Advent Parish Mission “Sharing the Mercy of God,” St. Charles Borromeo Church, each evening, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, 7-8 p.m., Dec. 3, 7 p.m. closing mission Mass, refreshments in Moriarty Hall each evening. Reconciliation each evening 6:15-6:45 p.m. (217) 345-3332.

SPRINGFIELD — Light a Candle of Love, “A Service of Remembrance — at Holiday Time,” sponsored by Staab Funeral Home, K.C. #364, 2200 Meadowbrook Road, 2 p.m. (217) 528-6461.

Monday, Nov. 30

SPRINGFIELD — Annual Novena to the Immaculate Conception, Christ the King Parish, evenings from Nov. 30 until Dec. 8. Emma Brandon (217) 529-2617.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

SPRINGFIELD — Catholic Mass, Memorial Medical Center, 4:05 p.m. (217) 788-3585.

Friday, Dec. 4

LITCHFIELD — K.C. sponsored display of over 100 Nativity sets, Holy Family parish center, 4-7:30 p.m., continues Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6, 1-4 p.m.

QUINCY — QUEST #48, Franciscan Retreat Center of Quincy University, from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday, $40. Dwight and Barb Seeley (217) 224-5615.

RIVERTON — K.C. #3914 fish fry, K.C. hall, 4:30-7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5

MADISON — Thirty-fourth annual St. Mary’s Snowman’s Ball, Engelbert Hall, dinner 6 p.m., music 7-11 p.m., $15 per person. Reserve by Dec. 2, Dolores Bruncic (618) 876-4241 or Janet Werner (618) 593-7595.

QUINCY — Blessed Sacrament’s Holiday bazaar, K.C. hall, S. 36th St., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 10

ST. LOUIS — Retreat, St. Louis White House Retreat Center, 6 p.m. until Dec. 13, after lunch. Denny Kirchgesner (217) 629-8260 or (217) 524-6289.
 
Diocese of Springfield