Celebrate Gloucester Catholic Pride on Maroon & Gold Day

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January 2020

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GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ–Join us in a celebration of Gloucester Catholic pride as GC will sponsor a Maroon & Gold Day Exposition on Saturday, February 8, 2020 in which Ram students will display their talents in the arts. During the day’s activities, come view beautiful art work displayed by Gloucester Catholic students, who are mentored by GCHS faculty member Mr. Dave Sipple. Art work will be on display on the first floor of the St. Mary’s Building from 12 noon through 2 pm.

Rams Students Attend March for Life Rally

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WASHINGTON, DC (January 25, 2020)–Father Philip Ramos led a group of Ram Students down to Washington, DC on Friday, January 24, 2020 to March for Life with Catholics from all over the world. Here is the Gloucester Catholic contingent with Bishop Dennis Sullivan, Diocese of Camden.

Gloucester Catholic

Religion

Gloucester City News

Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett Selected as Grand Marshal For St. Patrick\’s Day Parade!

Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Fifth Annual St. Mary\’s Parish and Gloucester City St. Patrick\’s Day

Parade. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 1 starting at 1:00 pm.

Mr. Beckett will receive his Grand Marshal sash from Bishop Sullivan at the 9:30 am Irish Mass at St. Mary\’s Church..

Mr. Beckett has served as Gloucester Catholic\’s Principal since August 2013 and is highly regarded for his work with youth and his devotion to the Catholic Community. Mr. Beckett also served the school as Assistant Principal for Spiritual Formation for 8 years. An alumnus of the Gloucester Catholic Class of 1978, he previously taught at St. Joseph\’s Preparatory School and served as an administrator at Boston College High School.

The Parade begins at Martin\’s Lake (Baynes Ave and Johnson Blvd) and continues down Monmouth Street, and will feature String Bands, Bagpipes, Irish Dancers, Irish Music. Memorabilia, and Community Organizations.

Gloucester Catholic alumni are encouraged to attend the parade, and are invited to march with the school\’s contingent as we salute

Mr. Beckett as well as celebrate Irish Pride and the great city of Gloucester!

Local parade officials also announced that Mr. Beckett will receive the First Community Impact Award on Friday, March 6, at Elizabeth Ballroom in Gloucester City. Doors will open for the event beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling the Rectory at (856) 456-0052.

Link to St. Patrick\’s Day Parade Festivities

For further information please contact St. Mary Rectory at (856) 456-0052. You may also click on the link below for general information and a sponsorship registration form!

General Information on St. Patrick\’s Day Parade and Activities

Thank You from St. Mary\’s Parish and Gloucester Catholic

NJ Religious Leaders Guilty of Conspiracy To Evade Paying Millions in Taxes

NEWARK, N.J. – The leader and the main treasurer of the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ were sentenced to federal prison today for their respective roles in a scheme in which both men caused the church to pay millions of dollars in personal expenses for the leader that the leader then omitted from his personal tax returns, U.S Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jermaine Grant, 44, of Burlington Township, New Jersey, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and Lincoln Warrington, 49, of Bergen County, New Jersey, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. Both men previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martini to Count One of the indictment against them, charging them with conspiring to defraud the United States. Judge Martini imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Grant and Warrington used their leadership positions in the church to divert to Grant millions of dollars belonging to the church and its members for Grant’s personal use and benefit. The defendants used a variety of methods to carry out the scheme. For example, Grant and Warrington created a purported entertainment company that portrayed Grant as an industry mogul whose wealth was derived from his success in the industry, thereby concealing from church members that his lifestyle was supported entirely by the church and donations from its members. Grant and Warrington also used the church’s money to pay Grant’s other personal expenses, including payments for rental real estate properties, vacations, high-end luxury items, and private school tuition for Grant’s minor children. Grant, with Warrington’s assistance, then omitted these benefits from his individual income tax returns, resulting in the evasion of a substantial amount of tax due and owing to the United States. In total, Grant and Warrington concealed millions of dollars in income from the IRS, and failed to pay at least $250,000 in taxes.

The plea agreements in this matter include a requirement that the church will develop and present to the United States a plan designed to ensure the church’s compliance with applicable federal income tax laws going forward. Before the United States returns to the church certain cash and property seized during execution of the search warrants in this case, the compliance plan must address the disposition of that cash and property and ensure that they are returned for the benefit of the church rather than for the personal benefit of Jermaine Grant or any other individual.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martini sentenced Grant and Warrington to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret A. Mahoney, Senior Trial Counsel for the National Security Unit in Newark, and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

Defense counsel:

Grant: Gerald Lefcourt Esq., New York

Warrington: Richard Levitt Esq., New York

The Satanic Temple Asks White House Faith Advisor to Pay for Abortions

SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS

(January 2020)– The Satanic Temple, a nontheistic religious group representing Satanists around the world, sent a letter to Pastor Paula White, who is serving as one of President Trump’s religious advisors. White recently gained media attention, and social media amusement, when she publicly prayed for God to forcibly end “Satanic pregnancies.”

Gloucestercitynews.net files

The Satanic Temple has taken her up on her prayers and asked the 53-year-old millionaire televangelist Pastor White to fund abortions for ten of its members.

“It was a surprise to us that this conservative pastor is boldly in favor of God terminating pregnancies,” says Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves, “but we are glad to learn that she’s coming around on the science, which clearly shows that the only person with rights in this equation is the pregnant woman.”

The Satanic Temple asserts that its mission “is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, [and] reject tyrannical authority,” has over 100k members around the world, many of whom come from Christian backgrounds.

“We are not against religion,” says Greaves. “In fact, we are officially a church in the United States. What we are against is tyranny. We are glad to learn that the pastor agrees.”

The Satanic Temple has been at the forefront of the fight to protect the reproductive rights of its members and launched a campaign to provide religious exemptions from many of the laws that do not promote health and safety. More information on this can be found at

religiousreproductiverights.com

About The Satanic Temple

The mission of The Satanic Temple is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will. More information can be found at

www.thesatanictemple.com

GUEST OPINION: Radical Muslims And Leftists Are A Threat

Bill Donahue | CNBNews Contributor

January 28, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments

on who is attacking Christians

Attacks on Christianity, throughout the world, emanate from two principal sources: radical Muslims and leftists. The role played by radical Muslims is detailed in the 2020 World Watch List published by Open Doors; the Gatestone Institute cites radical Muslims as well, but it also mentions the role played by radical left-wing groups.

By using the data provided by Open Doors, of the 50 most oppressive nations for Christians to live in, 38 are run by Muslims and 4 are Communist controlled; the other 8 are neither Muslim nor Communist states.

For all the talk about an Islamic Reformation, it appears that nothing has changed. The violence against Christians is epidemic, yet there is little in the way of Christian persecution of Muslims.

If Muslims run three out of four of the most violent places in the world for Christians to live, radical left-wing groups are responsible for the lion\’s share of anti-Christian attacks in the secular nations of Western Europe. The Gatestone Institute\’s research shows that approximately 3,000 Christian churches, schools, cemeteries and monuments were defaced or destroyed there in 2019.

France and Germany are the most anti-Christian nations in Europe; Spain is also notorious for its assaults on Christianity. That these nations are beacons of secularism cannot be denied. Theirs may be a softer persecution than is true in Islamic nations—the left-wing activists favor arson, defecation, looting, mockery, profanation, Satanism, theft, urination, and vandalism to armed attacks on individuals—but it is no less menacing.

Muslim nations that persecute Christians have their origins in the most extreme interpretations of Islam. But what accounts for the anti-Christian assaults by radical secularists?

The Gatestone researchers sought to understand the motives of the anti-Christian acts in Western Europe. Vandalism and theft were two of the four listed in the report; there was nothing extraordinary about these findings. The other two motives were more revealing: they were grounded in politics and religion.

\”Some attacks\” they said, \”especially those against Roman Catholicism, which some radical feminists and radical secularists perceive to be a symbol of patriarchal power and authority, are political in nature. Such attacks include defacing churches and religious symbols with political graffiti, much of it anarchist or feminist in nature.\”

\”Many attacks that appear to be religious or spiritual in nature reflect a deep-seated hostility toward Christianity. Such attacks include smearing feces on representations of Jesus Christ or statues of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Other attacks involve the defilement of or theft of Communion wafers…[which] may be the work of Satanists, who use the consecrated host in a ritual called the Black Mass.\”

Radical feminists, radical secularists, anarchists, and Satanists. What do they have in common? They are all aligned with the politics of the left.

No one doubts that radical feminists and radical secularists are among the most influential left-wing activists in the western world. More contentious is the proposition that anarchists and Satanists are also associated with left-wing politics.

Historically, some extremists on the right have been anarchists, but today anarchists more typically resemble Antifa in the United States. \”Anarchists and antifascists, often called the antifa, are factions of the far left who feel they are not represented by the mainstream Democratic Party.\” That description, offered by a reporter for the Washington Post, is accurate.

The Church of Satan says it has no \”official\” political position. Yet a look at the positions staked out by The Satanic Temple are squarely on the left: for instance, their support for abortion-on-demand is so extreme that it is impossible to go beyond it.

Many who have followed the litany of anti-Christian offenses in Western Europe have noted how left-wing the perpetrators are.

Ellen Fantini, director of The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe, says her organization has documented that \”churches and other symbols of Christianity in Europe are targets for many groups—from Islamists to radical feminists, LGBT activists to anarchists and self-proclaimed Satanists.\” Four of the five groups mentioned (the last four) are clearly in the camp of leftists.

The bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, Dominique Rey, agrees, but goes one step further. \”We are witnessing the convergence of laicism—conceived as secularism, which relegates the faithful only to the private sphere and where every religious denomination is banal or stigmatized—with the overwhelming emergence of Islam, which attacks the infidels and those who reject the Koran.\”

It is striking to note that radical Muslims and radical left-wing activists prefer to attack Christianity, but not each other. Yet in terms of their respective worldviews, they could not be more different, particularly on matters governing marriage, the family, and sexuality. Moreover, as Bishop Rey observes, Christianity is being privatized while Islam is expanding in Western Europe. How can this be?

There is no cabal at work. What conjoins the two radical wings, one religious and the other secular, is hatred of Christianity. But the source of their animosity is not the same. Radical Muslims want to conquer the West but cannot do so without attacking the Christian roots of Western civilization. Radical secularists want a full-blown libertine society—a sexual Shangri-La—but cannot do so without also attacking the Christian roots of Western civilization.

Christians are fighting for their lives against radical Muslims, and are fighting for their heritage against radical left-wing activists. They are the only sane players in this very sick development. More important, Christianity is the only tonic that can save us from their ravages.

SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2020

The National Catholic Schools Week Theme:

“Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed”

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join in the national observance of Catholic Schools Week

January 26, 2020 – February 1, 2020. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of the Christ-centered, faith-based education that students receive in the 119 elementary, 17 secondary, and 4 schools of special education in the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese. The national theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CORNERSTONE EVENT

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD TO CELEBRATE

MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR DEDICATED TEACHERS

CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

Teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year to be honored.

Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be joined by senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education as well as teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year for a special Mass.

Friday, January 31, 2020

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Chapel

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Following Mass, Bishop Fitzgerald along with senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education will join these teachers for a reception in recognition of their commitment to the school communities they have faithfully served.

1:00 p.m.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Center – Auditorium

222 North 17th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Mass and portions of the reception will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools Facebook page

www.facebook.com/AOPSschools/

ADDITIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK EVENTS

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Saint Joseph/Saint Robert School; 850 Euclid Avenue, Warrington, PA 18976

9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

will host an Open House for prospective families on the opening day of Catholic Schools Week.

The school offers education from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school has an option for five half or full day Pre-K and Kindergarten. Applications are being accepted for all grades. Saint Joseph/Saint Robert 7th & 8th grade students will greet and act as tour guides for interested families.

Bishop Shanahan High School; 220 Woodbine Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 (Chester County)

10:00 a.m. (Mass)

will kick off Catholic Schools Week with a Mother/Son Mass and Communion Breakfast. The breakfast will be held at the Downingtown Country Club; 93 Country Club Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335. The school will also host its annual Father/Daughter dance on Saturday, January 25th from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. This year’s theme is, “Ties and Tiaras.”

Saint Norbert Catholic School; 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, PA 19301 (Chester County)

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

During its Catholic Schools Week Open House, Saint Norbert Catholic School will welcome current and prospective school families for a tour of its school. Additionally, the school will showcase its students work and the lessons they tackle in their classrooms each day with the instruction of their teachers. Saint Norbert, Upper School’s curriculum is bolstered through 1:1 computing and the use of iPads daily in the classroom and at home, with iPads provided to each Lower School classroom to complement traditional learning approaches. In 2019, Saint Norbert 8th graders earned $249,000 in scholarships to archdiocesan and private high schools.

Saint Dorothy Catholic School; 1225 Burmont Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (Delaware County)

11:30 a.m. (Mass); 12:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Open House)

Saint Dorothy Catholic School’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week begins with a special Mass on Sunday, January 26 at 11:30 a.m. Following the conclusion of Mass, current and prospective families are invited to tour the school, view student work, and meet the faculty. Additionally, the school’s Book Fair will be open between the 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. Masses.

Saint Albert the Great Catholic School; 214 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 18976 (Montgomery County)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To showcase its students array of strengths in STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math), Saint Albert the Great is kicking off Catholic Schools Week with a “Showcase of Excellence.” The hallways will be filled with it student projects and live demonstrations by students. Visitors will be able to see all the hard work students have put in, so far, for the 2019-2020 school year.

Saint Peter the Apostle Church (Shrine of Saint John Neumann); 1019 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

9:30 a.m.

Saint Peter the Apostle School will celebrate the Opening of Catholic Schools Week with a Mass at the Saint Peter the Apostle Church, home to the Shrine of Saint John Neumann. Saint John Neumann is one of two local saints in Philadelphia and the founder of the first Catholic School System in America. Immediately following Mass, the school will have refreshments in the Atrium. Many school families will take part in the Mass and students will assist with the liturgical celebration.

Archbishop Wood Catholic High School; 655 York Road, Warminster, PA 18974 (Bucks County)

2:00 p.m.

For over 30 years, Archbishop Wood has sponsored an “Elementary School Writing Contest” and for the past two decades the awards ceremony takes place on the Sunday of Catholic Schools Week.

In November, writing prompts were sent to all of the surrounding elementary schools. Students were invited to submit an essay. Hundreds of submissions were received and three winners from each grade were selected. During the Awards Ceremony, the winners will be invited to read their essay. Five eighth grade winners will be selected and two of these winners will receive a $500 scholarship to attend Archbishop Wood for the 2020-2021 academic year. Members of The National Honor Society of Archbishop Wood judged the essays. At the Awards Ceremony, the president of the National Honor Society will also addresses the assembly. Families of participants are invited to attend as well. Each winner will receive a certificate and a gift card.

Monday, January 27, 2020

Our Lady of Good Counsel School; 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA 18966 (Bucks County)

8:00 a.m.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School will open its doors on what it has deemed “Parent Appreciation Day” for an Open House. The school is inviting all parents and guardians to visit with their sons and daughters in their daily learning environment and see students putting their learned skills in STREAM curriculum into action.

Saint Elizabeth Catholic School; 120 Saint Elizabeth Drive, Chester Springs, PA 19425 (Chester County)

11:15 a.m.

Students in fourth through eighth grades will have the opportunity to compete in the school-wide annual spelling bee in the school gymnasium.

Archbishop John Carroll High School and Saint Katherine Day School (Radnor Site); 211 Matson Ford Road, Radnor, PA 19087 (Delaware County)

9:10 a.m.

Archbishop John Carroll High School

and

Saint Katherine Day School

(Radnor Site)

will open Catholic Schools Week with a school wide, student led Mass and Community Service Award vote.

Holy Rosary Regional Catholic School; 3040 Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 (Montgomery County)

1:30 p.m.

On “Patriotic Day” at the school, the Holy Rosary Community will welcome Command Sergeant Major Edward Pfannensteil, who is traveling from his base in Germany to speak with students. He will thank them and explain how much the 1,000 stockings students, faculty, and staff filled with food for his troops at Christmas meant to the soldiers. He will also present the school community with a token of appreciation. Students have prepared several patriotic songs, speeches, and poems to fit with the theme of the event.

Blessed Trinity Regional Catholic School; 3033 Levick Street, Philadelphia, PA 19149

9:00 a.m.

The Blessed Trinity School community in Northeast Philadelphia will hold its 6th annual “Community Helpers” breakfast. They have invited members of the community to the school to thank them for serving and keeping the students safe throughout out the school year. Representatives of the15th and 2nd Police Districts of the Philadelphia Police Department as well as Engine 52 of the Philadelphia Fire Department will be on-hand. Additionally, school crossing guards and other members of the community who provide support to the school will be shown appreciation by the students through songs, poems, and other tokens of thanks. Many parents and grandparents of students at Blessed Trinity are first-responders.

Father Judge High School for Boys; 3301 Solly Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19136

8:45 a.m.

During a school-wide Mass,

the “Salesian 7 Awards” will be presented to five deserving members of the senior class. These students exemplify the “Salesian 7” virtues, which reflect the moral teachings of Jesus as practiced and promoted by the school’s Patron, Saint Francis de Sales: Respect yourself and others, Recognize your unique gifts and talents, Be patient with everyone, especially yourself, Be gentle as you go through your day, Be grateful – appreciate all that life offers, Be positive – approach life with an optimistic attitude, and Be confident – believe in yourself. During this ceremony, the “Salesian Achievement Award” will also be presented to two deserving faculty members.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes School; 1015 Turner Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

8:00 a.m.

Cardinal O\’Hara High School student and Saint Bernadette Alum, Liam Walsh, will be presenting 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Theresa MacIntosh, the Cardinal O\’Hara High School “Excelsior Award” at 8am during a morning gathering in front of the student body.

Saint Dominic Catholic School; 8510 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia 19136

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Saint Dominic students will spend the day “Celebrating Our Students” by holding a spirit-wear and school colors dress down day as well as an afternoon social among students through games of skill for older students and toy sharing for younger students.

Cardinal O’Hara High School, 1701 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA (Delaware County)

9:10 a.m.

Cardinal O’Hara will hold its Student Council Induction Mass and Reception for members of the student leadership who assist with activities and projects within the school community throughout the year.

Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls; 1000 W Lycoming St, Philadelphia, PA 19140

8:15 a.m.

During Catholic Schools Week, Little Flower will honor its alumnae with a token of appreciation at the school Liturgy. Each alumnae in attendance will be given a rose by current students. Additionally, faculty and staff will display photos.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School; 815 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128

8:30 a.m.

The entire student body of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) will gather for a special Catholic Schools Week Mass. Students will serve as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, and cantors. Additionally, the student council will show the schools appreciation for its adult volunteers including bus drivers and crossing guards.

Presentation BVM Catholic School; 105 Old Soldiers Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012 (Montgomery County)

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Students will take part in an

American Society of Civil Engineers STREAM activity. Prior to the start of the activity, students in grades kindergarten through eight will see a slide presentation on, \”What is Civil Engineering\” and have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A to learn more on the topic. Students will work as a class on the “Slender Tower Challenge.” Participants will draw out a tower and using materials will build from the plan. The culmination of the activity will be measuring the tall towers.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Saint Agnes School, 211 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (Chester County)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Grades 1-4)

1:10 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. (Grades 5-8)

Students will “Celebrate Vocations,” the national theme for Thursday, with a Career Day. Students will dress to impress emulating a career they may like to hold in the future. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to learn more about vocations and careers from adults in various fields of work.

Pope John Paul II High School; 181 Rittenhouse Rd, Royersford, PA 19468 (Montgomery County)

1:45 p.m.

Pope John Paul II High School will celebrate a Winter Sports Pep Rally recognizing student athletes competing in Winter Sports including basketball, swimming, and wrestling.

Friday, January 31, 2020

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CORNERSTONE EVENT

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD TO CELEBRATE

MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR DEDICATED TEACHERS

CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

Teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year to be honored.

Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be joined by senior leadership in the Office of Catholic Education as well as teachers who have dedicated their lives to the mission of Catholic education for 25 years or more than 50 years this academic year for a special Mass.

Friday, January 31, 2020

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Chapel

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

1:00 p.m.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Center – Auditorium

222 North 17th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Mass and portions of the reception will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools Facebook page

www.facebook.com/AOPSschools/

# # #

GUEST OPINION: Trump Champions Pro-Life Cause

Bill Donohue | CNBNews Contributor

January 24, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

President Trump\’s decision to address the March for Life crowd

Other presidents have offered their support to the pro-life cause, but only President Donald Trump has decided to participate in the March for Life. His pro-life record, coupled with his record in defense of religious liberty, makes him the most important Christian voice in the United States. No president, including President Ronald Reagan, can match his stellar achievements on these twin issues.

By contrast, we have the likes of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, both of whom have endorsed infanticide: there are no penalties for doctors who intentionally allow an innocent baby to die if he or she survives a botched abortion. However, First Prize goes to California Governor Gavin Newsom: he out-Hitlerized both men.

Earlier this month, Newsom said he wants to stop euthanizing animals. \”We want to be a no-kill state.\” Yet last year he issued a California Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom, one part of which was designed to welcome \”women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights.\” In other words, his enthusiasm for killing the least among us is so passionate that he extended an open invitation to pregnant women across the United States to have their babies killed in his home state.

It will surprise no one to learn that Newsom is also a proponent of assisted suicide. Indeed, he likes it so much that he boasts of his role in assisting a person to commit suicide in 2002.

That person was his mother

. [At that time assisted suicide was a felony in California—he put her down in San Francisco.]

It\’s too bad Mr. \”No-Kill State\” Newsom didn\’t think of his mother the way he thinks of hamsters.

These are sick times. Kudos to President Trump for standing up for the most defenseless human beings. He looks positively angelic next to these monsters.

Catholic Charities Partner with Philadelphia 76\’s

A portion of all tickets sold will directly benefit Catholic Charities Appeal beneficiaries providing support to the homeless, special needs students, food cupboards, after school programs, and more.

The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA), the Archdiocese of Philadelphia\’s single most important fundraiser, benefiting hundreds of thousands of people through countless organizations and ministries in the Archdiocese, will partner with the Philadelphia 76ers to host a night of family fun at the Wells Fargo Center.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

8:00 p.m.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Wells Fargo Center

3601 South Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148

Each year, CCA helps to ensure the vitality of countless organizations and ministries throughout the five-county Archdiocese. CCA beneficiaries are grouped into five areas of ministries including Education; Social Services; Evangelization, Parish and Spiritual Life; Clergy; and Local Mission Activities.

Those interested in supporting Catholic Charities Appeal can purchase tickets online through a dedicated link at

https://fevo.me/cca76

. If 150 tickets are sold, Mr. James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), a CCA beneficiary, will be honored on court prior to the start of the game.

Trump\’s Religious Liberty Reforms

January 17, 2020

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on

public policy reforms issued by the Trump administration on January 16

The public policy reforms governing religious liberty issued by the Trump administration are compelling and much needed. President Trump has proven once again that he is the most religion-friendly president in the modern era.

The Trump administration has provided a much-needed corrective to the draconian directives promulgated by the previous administration: the role of religious liberty under President Obama was diminished to such an extent that it all but neutered the free exercise of religion in public policy programs. Trump has reversed this condition, awarding religious liberty the kind of breathing room it deserves, both morally and legally.

There are three areas of public policy affecting religious liberty that have been targeted for reform by the Trump administration: faith-based programs; higher education; and religious institutions.

While the directives that have been issued are tailored to each of these three sectors, there are two elements that are common to all of them: religious institutions will not be afforded a second-class status any longer and their autonomy will be protected.

The Trump administration wants to end the invidious practices of discriminating against religious institutions and associations that were instituted by the Obama administration. Any institution that does not treat religious institutions as the equal of secular institutions will be faced with the prospect of having federal funds terminated.

Religious autonomy is another feature of these reforms. For instance, the state cannot force religious associations to jettison their religious character as a condition of federal aid. Regrettably, this has been done, the effect of which has been to secularize these entities. What is the sense of having a religious institution if it cannot freely exercise its religious prerogatives?

In effect, the Trump administration is going to continue its efforts to put an end to the animus against religious institutions that characterized the Obama administration.

As is customary, the public is being given 30 days to comment on these proposals. I will submit a detailed account of the Catholic League\’s problems with the Obama administration in its handling of faith-based programs, and the need for the kinds of reforms as outlined in the new directives. We will make public our input.