Save The Date!

Come Join Us for Our

10th Annual Catholic Awareness Day
Sponsored by the Connecticut Catholic Conference

Monday, February 9, 2009, at the State Capitol
in Hartford from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


This is the day to learn and understand the Catholic viewpoint on
important issues facing our State, learn about the legislative process and plan to meet with your State legislators.

Attend one or more of the following workshops:

· Immigration
· Life Issues
· Health Care Reform
· Parochial School Challenges

Pastors are encouraged to send groups of parishioners.
Please see your pastor if you are interested in having a group
attend from your church.

Want to meet your legislator? Plan ahead and
make an appointment!

Senate Democrats:1-800-842-1420 Senate Republicans:1-800-842-1421
House Democrats: 1-800-842-1902 House Republicans:1-800-842-1423

For more information, contact the
Connecticut Catholic Conference at 860-524-7882
or visit our website at: www.ctcatholic.org
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CONNECTICUT CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
RELEASED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON ABORTION TRENDS AND ISSUES IN
CONNECTICUT TODAY

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
At the Legislative Office Building, Room 1C
at 1:00 p.m.

On the eve of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Connecticut Catholic Conference, as the public policy office of the Catholic Bishops of Connecticut, announced efforts to seek changes in Connecticut’s abortion laws to better protect minor teenage girls.

**this message is from the Connecticut Catholic Conference**

EWTN Launches New Pro-Life Site On Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Notice By Michelle Laque Johnson,
Director of Communications (EWTN)

EWTN has just launched a new pro-life site. Check it out at www.ewtn.com/prolife. Pro-life advocates are welcome to link to this page.

The new site will be updated daily and will include the latest pro-life video and audio segments from EWTN’s many pro-life programs, schedules of upcoming television and radio programs, and highlights from archived programs.

Among the many features of the site are a Pro-Life Forum and a Natural Family Planning Forum where people can post questions about any of the life issues and receive on-line answers. These forums are searchable so people can research answers to questions already posed.

The site also includes relevant papal documents, pro-life links, a pro-life voters’ guide and much more. There are plans for even more features to be added, so log on every day.

We hope you enjoy the new site – and will tell your friends about it!

**notice directly from EWTN**

Father John Corapi & the catechism pt 1

Health Care Reform in Connecticut

HEALTH CARE REFORM IN CONNECTICUT

"Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental human right. With an estimated 47 million Americans lacking health care coverage, it is also an urgent national priority."

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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The upcoming legislative session will present our elected officials with many difficult choices as they try to balance our state budget during difficult financial times. However, one issue that must continue to make progress in our state is health care reform that provides coverage to the ever increasing number of uninsured. As unemployment increases, the number of people who will no longer be able to access health services will also increase. The uninsured in our state, which number in the hundreds of thousands, are comprised of not just the unemployed, but many working people who do not have a sufficient income to afford health insurance.

Employers are also becoming increasingly burdened by ever rising health care costs.

The Connecticut Catholic Conference is a member of the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care. More information will be provided to you on this very important topic as the 2009 legislative session progresses.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut will unveil a major proposal for health care reform in Connecticut on Tuesday, January 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Union Station in Hartford.

Although the Catholic Conference has not endorsed a particular solution to the health care crisis, we do encourage you to help to keep the drive for
health care reform alive - please try to attend this important event.

Your attendance will show our elected officials how important this issue is to the people of Connecticut.

**this notice is entirely from Connecticut Catholic Conference

RICO Charge Against Norwich Diocese

Connecticut woman files RICO charge against diocese in sex-abuse case
December 31, 2008

A Connecticut woman has filed a sex-abuse lawsuit against the Norwich diocese, using a federal law designed for use against organized-crime figures. The lawsuit cites RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law in claiming that the diocese engaged in a criminal conspiracy to cover up evidence of priestly abuse. The lawsuit names Bishop Daniel Reilly, who headed the Norwich diocese from 1975 to 1994; and Father Thomas McBride, the vicar general. (Bishop Reilly, who moved to the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1994, is now retired.)

Source of the above article: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=1541


Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

Norwich Diocese Faces Racketeering Lawsuit Over Abusive Priests (Hartford Courant)
Sex abuse lawsuit alleges racketeering by diocese (Newsday)

We Survived Having A “Merry Christmas”

Contributor Doug writes: As a practicing Christian, one blessing I appreciated this year leading up to Christmas was the pleasant surprise that wherever I went, I heard and read much more of “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year” than “Happy Holidays.” At last, the battle to preserve Christ in Christmas while also now truly respecting the faiths of others has won some ground, and somehow, we’ve all survived.
The United States is comprised predominantly of Christians. Even many Christians who do not practice their faith, and even non-Christians recognize and/or celebrate “Christmas.” Besides, “Happy Holidays” is as potentially offensive to Jews as it is to Christians. It recognizes no specific holiday, and in fact, pointedly avoids it. If we are in fact trying to avoid giving offense, then it is far more prudent and polite to make an effort to get to know another’s faith and then take the time and thought to extend to that person the far more personal and welcoming greeting appropriate to his or her faith or culture. I have found that both my Christian and Jewish friends and associates alike have responded gratefully to this more direct, respectful, and intimate alternative.
Contrary to popular but erroneous belief, “Happy Holidays” was never intended to be sensitive to the feelings of non-Christians. This agenda has been promulgated and thrust onto us by the secular and particularly anti-Christian group, the American Humanist Association. Various other secularist groups and individuals with a vitriolic agenda against our Savior, His Church, and His birthday have since jumped on the bandwagon and snowballed this agenda right on queue. I have yet to ever hear any protest to the public display of a Menorah anywhere, nor would I ever welcome hearing any such protest. Yet such cannot be said of a publicly displayed Nativity scene. Instead, we Christians are told to take it or leave it with snowmen and so-called “Holiday” trees, whatever they are.
Our much abused and often maligned First Amendment merely states that specifically the Congress shall not make any law respecting the establishment of any religion, such as was the case in Mother England before our Revolution, and ironically, for a quite a long time here in Connecticut after the colonies won their independence. What secularists conveniently forget however, is that the First Amendment also states that Congress shall not ban the free exercise of any religion, which is to say that all religions should be mutually respected.
Political correctness for the myopically misled is as deceptively dangerous as the alluring Sirens of Greek mythology were for the lonely ship captains navigating toward the shallow shoals beneath them. In our obsessive quest for so-called “diversity,” and “equality” we often sidestep our naïve but well-intended efforts and only wind up discriminating against a group different from the one we were originally trying to protect. Our Declaration of Independence articulates our correct recognition of our God-granted rights and human dignity that (in the vernacular of that period), all “men” are created equal, and yes, you ladies as well. Yet “affirmative action” equates to quotas limiting opportunities for different types of individuals, and in employment, often while turning a blind eye to qualifications. “Hate crimes” elevate the status of one type of citizen over another by increasing the penalty for a crime that already appears elsewhere in the Penal Code, but for everyone else except for the synthetically special citizens cited. And last but not least, the “Happy Holidays” hyperbole, and all the ridiculous litigation that has sprung from it from municipalities and school boards across the country effectively bans all semblance of Christianity within their purview while giving a wink and a nod to other more favored denominations and trendy causes.
The engraved verbiage on the currency of our nation, a nation founded on Judeo/Christian principles, has it right twice: 1.) “In God we trust,” and 2.) “E Pluribus Unum,” Latin for “Out of many, one.” Those ignorant of the true meaning and history of the term, “separation of Church and state” would do well to edify themselves accordingly, and then reflect on what they read on their pocket change. As for those who do know but don’t care, or intentionally manipulate the separation principle to forward their own devious agenda, they should be openly identified, consistently challenged, and zealously chastised.
Lastly, it would behoove all of us to reflect upon the sage poem, “First They Came..” from Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran theologian imprisoned in Hitler’s concentration camps for turning against the Nazi’s. In our “United States,” when we so sanctimoniously and cavalierly justify persecuting one group of people for the perceived and /or contrived sake of another, like blind lemmings for the politically correct cause celebre’, history brutally dictates that we earnestly ask ourselves, “When am I next?”
To all of my fellow citizens, Happy New Year, and may God bless you.

Doug

O' Holy Night

Luke 2 The Story of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ
(click the Youtube video to hear "O' Holy Night" while reading the story of Christ's birth.) Merry Christmas Everyone and May God Bless You All!

1 "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

EWTN's Christmas Program Schedule

NEW! The San Juan Children’s Choir Presents: Siempre Navidad (Always Christmas) This festive concert, with music from around the world, displays the joyful spirit of Christmas in Puerto Rico. (30-minute version: 9 a.m. Dec. 20. 60-minute version: 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and 4 p.m. Dec. 27)

NEW! Catholic University of America Christmas Concert; This annual concert presents a brilliant blend of angelic voices and the wonderful sounds of the Christmas season. (11 p.m. Dec. 23 and 2 p.m. Dec. 25)

NEW! Candles & Carols; This annual Christmas program from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana features Scriptural lessons and a candle lighting ceremony with more than 200 participants performing in a wide variety of choral and instrumental groups. (8 p.m. Dec. 21 and 6 a.m. Dec. 24)

NEW! The Fowler Sisters Christmas Gift; The four talented daughters of Suzanne Fowler, founder of “The Light Weigh,” present viewers with a musical gift as they celebrate the birth of Christ. (7:30 p.m. Dec. 25 and 2 p.m. Dec. 26)

NEW! The World is Born: Christmas with the Louisville Chorus; The Louisville Chorus celebrates the sounds of the season in this special presentation of Christmas favorites. The choir performs in the historic St. Martin of Tours Church in Louisville, Kentucky. (10 p.m. Dec. 23, 2 p.m. Dec. 27, and 11 a.m. Jan. 1)

NEW! Heralds of the Gospel; In this Christmas special, the Heralds of the Gospel, an International Association of the Pontifical Rite, perform an array of exquisite Christmas music from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. (5 p.m. Dec. 21, 11 p.m. Dec. 22, 4 a.m. Dec. 26)

Highlights from the Birth of Christ: A Christmas Cantata; Recorded live in Ireland, this inspiring and historic presentation of Andrew T. Miller’s “Birth of Christ” brings together a chorus of singers who powerfully bring the Christmas story to life. (10:30 p.m. Dec. 23, 4 a.m. Dec. 24, and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 27)

Joy of Music: Christmas in Germany; Diane Bish hosts this special celebration from Germany featuring Christmas music from some of the greatest classical composers in history. (2:30 p.m. Dec. 21)

Music for Advent and Christmas; A TV special of Advent and Christmas music from St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church in Dunmore, Pa. (4 a.m. Dec. 22)

Dana: Our Family Christmas; Join Dana, her family and friends as they present an old-fashioned family Christmas. Hear the meaning of many traditional customs, and gather new ideas for you and your family. (9 a.m. Dec. 24 and 4:30 a.m. Dec. 27)

Cousins in Christ: Family Christmas; Let the Cousins in Christ fill your home with songs celebrating the birth of our Savior, as they share with you a collection of favorite Christmas songs, including “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” and many others. It’s a musical family celebration you don’t want to miss. (2 a.m. Dec. 24 and 9 p.m. Dec. 25)

In Concert: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio; Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is performed by the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, performed in the historic Weimar Herder Church in Weimar, Germany. (3 a.m. Dec. 21)

The Great Mr. Handel; This classic film reveals how the great composer Georg Friedrich Handel rose above the personal anguish and difficulties in his life to create the sublime musical composition, “The Messiah.” (8 p.m. Dec. 20)

Father Rutler: Stories of Hymns (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) Father George Rutler reflects on the hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and shows how the coming of Christ destroys our fears about the past and the future. (11 a.m. Dec. 22)

Want to learn something about Christmas that will increase your faith? Check out these programs:

NEW! The Star of Bethlehem; From “The Passion of the Christ” Producer Stephen McEveety comes a documentary that proves the existence of the Star of Bethlehem, whose existence has been debated for centuries by historians, scientists and scholars.“Either they believe the Star is true or they thin, it was made up by the early Church,” says Texas A&”M Professor Rick Larson. “I took a different approach in my research and treated the Star as a mystery or puzzle, looking at the bible and comparing the facts of Scripture with facts from science and history.” (10 a.m. Dec. 21, 11 p.m. Dec. 25, 8 p.m. Dec. 27, 3 a.m. Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 31)

New! The Shrine of the Holy Family, Provence, France; The Shrine of the Holy Family in Cotignac, Provence marks the site of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph’s appearance to a 17th Century French shepherd and his wife. The couple's prayer for a child was answered, along with Our Lady’s promise of succor to all who would seek her intercession. To honor this apparition and the heavenly importance of the marital union, the Church erected a shrine to the Holy Family, and has since welcomed thousands of pilgrims to Cotignac from all over the world. (11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 28)

The Legend of the Christmas Flower; This Yuletide tale traces the holiday tradition of the poinsettia plant to its roots in the heart of Mexico, where it is known as “la Flor de Navidad,” the Christmas Eve flower. Watch as young Juanito’s cherished dream of a sombrero to call his own blossoms into understanding the true meaning of Christmas. (4 p.m. Dec. 22 and 6 p.m. Dec. 26)

My Daughter and the Madonna; This is the fascinating story of a group of citizens of Monopoli, Italy, who organized a living nativity in 1999, and the obstacles they had to overcome to celebrate the birth of Jesus. (4:30 a.m. Dec. 24)

Yearning for a heartwarming Christmas story? Set your recording device for one of these great programs, for children and children at heart:

A Time to Remember; This Christmas favorite tells the story of a young boy, a budding opera star, whose parents have different ideas about his future. He is helped by a beloved priest on a journey that requires faith, perseverance and a Christmas miracle. (1 p.m. Dec. 22, 6 p.m. Dec. 25, and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 26)

The Story of the Selfish Giant; A grandfather uses Oscar Wilde's timeless tale to unlock the true meaning of Christmas for his granddaughter. This is a charming story with a strong Christian message about the meaning of love and sacrifice. It is bound to become one of your Christmas favorites. (10:30 a.m. Dec. 20 and 4 p.m. Dec. 26).

Go Look in the Manger; Eight year-old Ricky Meyer has a misadventure that threatens to darken his Christmas joy, but he soon finds the true meaning of Christmas is in the manger. (9:30 a.m. Dec. 20, 5 p.m. Dec. 23 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 25)

The Chimes; Written by Charles Dickens and narrated by Derek Jacobi, this is the story of a poor and discouraged 19th Century porter. Chiming church bells magically transport him to the future where his hope is renewed. (4 p.m. Dec. 23 and 6 a.m. Dec. 27)

NEW! We are Catholic: Christmas Special; The town of St. Claire is preparing to celebrate Christmas. The mayor wants to have a taller Christmas tree while Manuel and Phillip leave to find moss for the Nativity set. When the owner of the factory surprises everyone by shipping the largest Christmas tree in a helicopter, he is informed that Manuel and Phillip are lost in the forest. In a generous way, he uses the helicopter to rescue them. (5 p.m. Dec. 22 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 30).

Hermie & Friends: A Fruitcake ChristmasHermie and his bug friends have a Christmas mystery on their hands when Granny Pillar’s long-anticipated fruitcake disappears. An adventure ensues that leads everyone to make a decision between selfishness and sharing. (4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 10 a.m. Dec. 27)

Kingdom Under the Sea: The GiftIts Christmas time in the Kingdom, but somewhere between the presents and decorations, everyone has forgotten what Christmas is really about until the town’s arch enemy, Professor Pinch, tries to destroy it. (5:30 p.m. Dec. 24 and 11 a.m. Dec. 27)

The Candy Maker’s Christmas; August, the candy maker, attempts to make the perfect Christmas present, which teaches him that Jesus alone is the perfect gift. (6:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 26)

Image of God: Christmas Mary Jo Smith and the Faith Factory kids discuss the meaning of Christmas and how our hearts should be full of joy that God became man to save us. (11 a.m. Dec. 20 and 10 a.m. Dec. 26)

The First Christmas; This colorful animated production tells the traditional story of the birth of Jesus. Witness the encounter with the innkeeper who has no rooms, but provides shelter in a stable where Mary gives birth. Watch the Magi follow the star that led them to the Baby Jesus. Narrated by Christopher Plummer. (4:30 p.m. Dec. 24, 11 a.m. Dec. 25, and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 27)

We Celebrate Christmas: The Birth of JesusLammy, the loveable puppet, guides children through the nativity story, and helps them to understand the true meaning of Christmas, with lots of singing, dancing, and good old fashioned fun. (5:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and 9 a.m. Dec. 27)

Loretta Young: 3 & 2 PleaseAcademy Awarding Winning Actress Loretta Young as “Sister Ann,” a nun who brightens the lives of patients in a Catholic hospital at Christmas. (6:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 11 a.m. Dec. 23, 2:30 a.m. Dec. 26, and 2:30 a.m. Dec. 27)

Want to hear the thrilling story of the Nativity? Tune into one of these specials:

The First Christmas; The timeless Nativity story, narrated by Christopher Plummer, was produced for the enjoyment of the whole family. With a musical background of familiar carols, this engaging special will be a favorite in your home. (4:30 p.m. Dec. 24, 11 a.m. Dec. 25, and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 27)

Life of Christ: The SaviorPart one of the "Life of Christ" trilogy, this Family Theater docudrama shot entirely in Spain, highlights the events told in the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. (5:30 a.m. Dec. 23 and 1 p.m. Dec. 27)

The Promise;A dramatization from 1967 of the Annunciation and Nativity, followed by a brief discussion of the film by Father Patrick Peyton and Frankie Avalon. (2:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 3:30 a.m. Dec. 24, 5:30 a.m. Dec. 27, 3 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29)

In the mood for an old-fashioned variety show? Try this:

NEW! Christopher Close-Up: Christopher Classic Christmas; Christopher Founder Father James Keller, M.M. celebrates Christmas with stars of yesteryear, including Snooky Larson, June Valli, Mario Lanza, Rosalind Russell and more. (6:30 a.m. Dec. 21, 9 p.m. Dec. 22, and 3 a.m. Dec. 24)

Want to celebrate the Christmas liturgy with Catholics around the world? Don’t miss these special Masses:Christmas with the Nuns of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery (2001)

Join the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration from Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama USA for special Christmas music and devotions. (5 p.m. Dec. 24 and 6 a.m. Dec. 26, 2 a.m. Dec. 28)

Solemn Mass of Christmas from EWTN (Live)

Join the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word as they celebrate Solemn Christmas Mass from EWTN’s Chapel in Irondale, Alabama USA. (1 a.m. Dec. 25 (live), 12 p.m. Dec. 25, and 12 a.m. Dec. 26)

Solemn Mass at Midnight with Pope Benedict XVI (Live from Rome)

Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord: Midnight Mass with the Holy Father from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (6 p.m. Dec. 24 (live), 8 a.m. Dec. 25, and 4 p.m. Dec. 25)

Choral Meditations and Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Live from Washington, D.C.)

From the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, USA. (10 p.m. Dec. 24 (live))

Urbi et Orbi from Rome: Pope Benedict's Christmas Message to the World (Live)

From St. Peter's Square. Join the Holy Father for his inspiring Christmas Day message to the world on the celebration of Christ’s birth. (6 a.m. (live) Dec. 25, 10 p.m. Dec. 25, 3 a.m. Dec. 26, and 5 p.m. Dec. 26)