O.F.L. NEWS DIOCESE of EVANSVILLE Est

O.F.L. NEWS DIOCESE OF EVANSVILLE Est. 1944 Office of Family & Life JANUARY 2021 The OFL News is a monthly newsletter to highlight initiatives, projects, programs, and events specific to the Office of Family & Life

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IN THIS ISSUE:  PROJECT RACHEL  2021 RESOURCES TO STAND FOR LIFE  MASS FOR LIFE  9 DAYS FOR LIFE  MARRIAGE PREP AND NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING UPDATES  DIOCESAN ROSARY  RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR FAITH IN 2021  RELIGIOUS FREEDOM NEWS (USCCB)  USCCB GENERAL UPDATES/A MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS REGARDING DISABILITIES  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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Project Rachel in the Diocese of Evansville IS ACTIVE STARTING TODAY (1-4-21) “Project Rachel is an ongoing ministry of the Catholic Church in the U.S. to those who have been involved in abortion. It is a diocesan-based network of specially trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide a team response of care for those suffering in the aftermath of abortion. In addition to referring for Sacramental Reconciliation, the ministry provides an integrated network of services, including pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats and referrals to licensed mental health professionals.”-USCCB Awareness of the program will be through parishes, newsletters, the Message, community organizations and will consist of informational ‘business’ cards, bulletin inserts, tear-off sheets and other. A unique Project Rachel Phone Number (812-483-7812) and email address ([email protected]) has been created specifically for this program. Interested persons will be able to connect with the program via phone or email. Once they do so, assistance will be tailored to their individual healing needs. http://www.evdio.org/project-rachel.html https://hopeafterabortion.com/

If you are interested in becoming involved with this healing ministry, contact Eric Girten at [email protected].

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2021 RESOURCES TO STAND FOR LIFE

http://www.evdio.org/c2nd-landing-page.html is a landing page created to house resources and event information for January 2021 Respect Life opportunities in the Diocese of Evansville. Go here to see how your parish can get involved!

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MASS FOR LIFE

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9 DAYS FOR LIFE 9 Days for Life: Thursday, January 21 – Friday, January 29 is the U.S. bishops' annual novena for the protection of human life. Each day's intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life.

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MARRIAGE PREPARATION AND NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING 1. 2021 Unveiled Marriage Preparation Retreats

a. February 19-20 (2 Day) CANCELLED Couples who have registered have been notified and given information regarding ONLINE Marriage Prep resources at http://www.evdio.org/marriage-preparation.html

b. March 26-27 (2 Day) TENTATIVE c. September 25 (1 Day)

2. Natural Family Planning See pages 7-8 for more details. This information is always online at http://www.evdio.org/natural-family-planning.html

Contact Kelli at 812-421-2030 or by email at [email protected] to register

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NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING EDUCATION IN THE DIOCESE Holy Family Center for Life 2021 Presentation Calendar.

To register or inquire about any of our programs, call (812) 421-2030 or email [email protected]

TRUTH ABOUT NFP classes (required for marriage prep in Diocese of Evansville) * denotes presentation offered within Unveiled Marriage Prep retreat 1. January 17, 2021 (virtual) 2. March 26-27, 2021 (Evansville)* TENTATIVE 3. April 11, 2021 (Vincennes) 4. May 16, 2021 (virtual) 5. June 13, 2021 (Jasper) 6. July 18, 2021 (Evansville) 7. August 15, 2021 (Vincennes) 8. September 26, 2021 (Evansville)* 9. October 17, 2021 (Jasper) 10. November 7, 2021 (virtual) 11. December 19, 2021 (Vincennes)

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Free Introductory Session to Creighton Model ($95 value) Sponsored by St. Vincent Evansville and Memorial Hospital in Jasper (Jasper dates marked with *)

Sun, Jan 17 @ 2pm CT Tue, June 8 @ 6:30 pm CT Tue, Feb 9 @ 6:30 pm CT Sun, June 13 @ 3 pm ET* Sun, Feb 21 @ 3 pm ET* Sun, July 18 @ 2 pm CT Sun, Mar 14 @ 2 pm CT Tue, Aug 10 @ 6:30 pm CT Sun, April 11 @ 3 pm ET* Sun, Aug 15 @ 3 pm ET* Tue, April 13 @6:30 pm CT Sun, Sept 19 @ 2 pm CT Sun, May 15 @ 2 pm CT Tue, Oct 12 @ 6:30 pm CT Sun, Oct 17 @ 3 pm ET* Sun, Nov 14 @ 2 pm CT Tue, Dec 7 @ 6:30 pm CT Sun, Dec 12 @ 3 pm ET*

http://www.evdio.org/natural-family-planning.html

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DIOCESAN ROSARY

The Office of Family & Life wishes to invite individuals, parishes, and the Diocesan community to pray the rosary together monthly (starting in October) until the following October, similar to Saint John Paul II’s Year of the Rosary in 2002.

Those who wish to participate are encouraged to pray the rosary on the 1st Saturday of each month. However, if this is not possible, please don’t let that stop you.

What better time to encourage family and community prayer in the rosary? Fr. Patrick Peyton’s message of “a family that prays together stays together” still rings true, not only for our individual families but also for our parish families and our diocesan family.

First Saturday Dates: Go here to be counted in this diocesan-wide call to prayer by entering your parish name. Our Rosary Map will be updated weekly to show  October 3 those participating! http://www.evdio.org/the-rosary.html  November 7  December 5  January 2  February 6  March 6  April 3  May 1  June 5  July 3  August 7  September 4

Snapshot of the Evansville Diocese Rosary Map of those participating and their parish…

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RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR FAITH IN 2021 1. Catechism in a Year: This is a daily email that takes a section of the Catechism each day. http://flocknote.com/catechism 2. Popes in a Year: This is a daily email that discusses a Pope each day. https://projects.flocknote.com/popes 3. Men’s Retreat January 8-10: https://www.holyredeemerchurch.org/mens-retreat.html 4. Benedictine Retreats: https://www.saintmeinrad.org/retreats/ 5. Jesuit Retreats: http://www.whretreat.org/ 6. The MESSAGE: https://evdiomessage.org/ 7. Laudete: Phone app 8. IBreviary: Phone app 9. Fr. Alex and Kelli discuss NFP: https://soundcloud.com/user- 60408727-579983696/episode-18-mens-challenges-natural-family- planning-and-more

Make your dollars count! Abbey Roast Coffee: https://www.abbeyroast.com/ Peanut Brother: https://smagiftshop.com/product- category/peanut- brother/

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RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

DC Backs Down Over Mass Limits After Archdiocese Sues Catholic News Agency

The Archdiocese of Washington's suit complained that churches were given additional restrictions on capacity compared to retail establishments, including restaurants. Read more.

Court Says N.Y. Pandemic Limits on Houses of Worship Restrict Religious Freedom Catholic News Service

The Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, and two Orthodox Jewish synagogues in separate filings appealed to the nation's high court, claiming the governor's executive order violated their free exercise of religion and was particularly unwarranted during a time when area businesses were open.Read more.

First Freedom Podcast

Episode 42 - No Room at the Church? Chris Anzidei from the Archdiocese of Washington discusses the latest news on COVID restrictions and houses of worship. Check it out!

Beauty Heals

The recent vandalism of churches and their sacred art gives us the opportunity to bear witness to our hope in the Lord whose beauty is revealed on the Cross. Beauty Heals invites us to learn about works of devotional art significant to local churches and how they inspire Catholics to live beautifully. Check it out!

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Bishop Chairmen Commend Administration for Enforcing Conscience Laws on Abortion

These bi-partisan laws recognize that it is an abhorrent violation of conscience rights to force someone to perform, pay for, or otherwise participate in an abortion against their beliefs. Read more.

Cardinal Dolan: Stories of Persecuted Christians Should Move Hearts Catholic News Agency

"We bishops in the United States have, as you well know, legitimate and ongoing struggles to protect our first and most precious freedom. But even our problems as towering as they can be at times and as ominous as the future might now seem, they pale in comparison, don't they, to the 'via crucis' that is currently being walked by so many of our Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who are experiencing lethal persecution." Read more.

HHS Resolves Dispute Over Right to Clergy in Hospital Catholic News Agency

On Wednesday, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it resolved a religious discrimination complaint with Mr. Sinai Health System, which operates seven hospitals in New York. Read more.

Knights of Columbus Hail State Department Designation for Nigeria Aleteia

The designation by the U.S. State Department recognizes that Nigeria is engaging in or tolerating "systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom." Read more.

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WASHINGTON– On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. In their statement, the bishops address the moral concerns raised by the fact that the three vaccines that appear to be ready for distribution in the United States all have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.

With regard to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they concluded:

“In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines.

“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.”

With regard to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the bishops found it to be “more morally compromised” and consequently concluded that this vaccine “should be avoided” if there are alternatives available. “It may turn out,

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however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others,” the bishop chairmen stated. “In such a case … it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

At the same time, the bishops also warned that Catholics “must be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use of fetal cells in research.”

Message of Pope Francis for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont- messages/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20201203_messaggio- disabilita.html

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers

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