North Texas Catholic Bringing the Good News to the Diocese of Fort Worth Vol. 26 No. 6 March 26, 2010 Easter Sunday the Church will House passes health proclaim Christ is Risen, Alleluia! reform; eff ort to insert abortion language fails By Nancy Frazier O’Brien The vote on the reconcilia- Catholic News Service tion package, which concluded WASHINGTON — The House shortly before midnight, was of Representatives passed his- 220-211. Twenty-three Democrats toric health reform legislation joined all 178 House Republicans late March 21 but rejected a last- in opposing the measure. ditch effort to send a package of There was no immediate com- legislative fi xes back to committee ment on the votes from the U.S. in order to insert language on Conference of Catholic Bishops, abortion supported by the U.S. which said in a March 20 letter bishops. to the House the Hyde amend- The votes were 219-212 in fa- ment must be included in the vor of the Senate-passed health fi nal health reform measure. The reform bill, and 232-199 against bishops also had urged enhanced a motion by Rep. Dave Camp, conscience protections.(See Bish- R-Mich., to recommit the recon- ops’ March 23 statement below) ciliation package to committee Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of with instructions to substitute Charity who is president and CEO language that would codify of the Catholic Health Associa- A Raphael frescoe featuring the risen Christ from the Vatican’s “Sala della Segnatura” the Hyde amendment, which tion, praised the legislation, say- forbids federal funding of most ing it “represents great progress (CNS PHOTO COURTESY CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN) abortions. SEE HOUSE, P. 9 Bishops urge vigilance to keep abortion funding out of health reform WASHINGTON (CNS) — Here cess to the care that recognizes ant mothers, struggling families therefore pastors and teachers. In for health plans covering elective is the text of a statement from the and affi rms their human dignity. or those with serious medical that role, we applaud the effort to abortions. Its failure to preserve U.S. bishops on health reform signed Christian discipleship means or physical problems were left expand health care to all. the legal status quo that has regu- into law March 23 by President “working to ensure that all people unable to afford the care they Nevertheless, for whatever lated the government’s relation to Barack Obama. The statement, by have access to what makes them needed. As Catholic bishops, we good this law achieves or intends, abortion, as did the original bill Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, fully human and fosters their have expressed our support for we as Catholic bishops have op- adopted by the House of Repre- president of the bishops, was approved human dignity” (U.S. Catholic efforts to address this national posed its passage because there is sentatives last November, could by the Administrative Committee Catechism for Adults, p. 454). In- and societal shortcoming. We compelling evidence that it would undermine what has been the law of the U.S. Conference of Catholic cluded among those elements is have spoken for the poorest and expand the role of the federal gov- of our land for decades and threat- Bishops: the provision of necessary and most defenseless among us. Many ernment in funding and facilitat- ens the consensus of the majority appropriate health care. elements of the health care reform ing abortion and plans that cover of Americans: that federal funds or nearly a century, the For too long, this question has measure signed into law by the abortion. The statute appropriates not be used for abortions or plans Catholic bishops of the gone unaddressed in our country. president, address these concerns billions of dollars in new funding that cover abortions. Stranger FUnited States have called Often, while many had access to and so help to fulfi ll the duty that without explicitly prohibiting the still, the statute forces all those for reform of our health care excellent medical treatment, mil- we have to each other for the com- use of these funds for abortion, who choose federally subsidized system so that all may have ac- lions of others including expect- mon good. We are bishops, and and it provides federal subsidies SEE BISHOPS URGE, P. 9 ALL THINGS POSSIBLE Campaign passes halfway point, $23 million pledged Bishop Kevin Vann has an- largest in the history of the Dio- room in the Church for Catholics nounced that $23 million has been cese of Fort Worth, is intended to across our 28 counties. With God, pledged toward the $40 million meet numerous identifi ed needs, truly all things are possible.” All Things Possible Campaign. which will strengthen the minis- The campaign was conducted “I am deeply grateful for the tries of the Church in North Texas in one-third of the diocese’s par- early support our campaign has well into the future. ishes and missions last fall, with received. Even in these chal- Bishop Vann added, “Because the remaining parishes’ efforts lenging times, the people of our of the strong personal commit- currently in progress. The All diocese have been generous in ment of the faithful in our diocese, Things Possible campaign plan their support of their brothers and and with the leadership of our calls for a series of receptions and sisters,” said Bishop Vann. “I ask pastors, pastoral administra- a process of ongoing education, everyone to continue to pray for tors, local staff, and volunteers, giving every Catholic house- the success of this campaign, as a I have every confi dence that our hold the opportunity to learn sign of the intimate communion campaign will reach its goal. The about the challenges facing the we share with our Lord and with challenge it presents us allows local Church. This spring, over one another.” each of us to think beyond our 170 receptions are being hosted Pat Casey, Maria Rodriguez, and Ray Rodriguez look through material provided The $40 million campaign, the own local needs, to help make SEE RECEPTIONS, P. 9 by the capital campaign at a reception at St. Francis Church in Granbury. Page 2 North Texas Catholic, March 26, 2010 Diocesan In this last week of Lent, we look forward to Easter and anticipate the Resurrection Dear brothers and sisters in claimed to the entire world through the witness of our lives. This world the Risen Lord, We must also remember as well that that is often “overcast with the clouds of death” needs to be brought into the the glory and truth of the Easter season light of the Resurrected Christ, and hope the season of we, the witnesses of Christ, are that Lent has been a time lasts 50 days until Pentecost. In this light! This is seen so powerfully in the rich symbolism expressed in the Eas- of refl ection, grace, Paschaltide, let us walk with the Risen ter Vigil — beginning with the light of I the Paschal Candle and then gradually and moments of turning Lord as He reveals to us again His Body through the lighted candles of each and every person — the light of Christ Bishop Kevin W. Vann to the Lord for all of you. on Earth, to strengthen our faith and pierces the darkness of sin and death We are about to enter into and reveals the glory and power of show us that He indeed has truly conquered sin and Christ. We must be that witness to the Holy Week, which is not world that Christ is truly risen and death. that his grace and power are really only about a series of spe- manifested in our own lives. + Bishop Kevin Vann We must also remember as well cial liturgical services, but Diocese of Fort Worth that the glory and truth of the Easter more importantly a per- season lasts 50 days until Pentecost. In this Paschaltide, let us walk with the sonal invitation from the priests, religious, and parish staff power of the love of the Trinity. So the Risen Lord as He reveals to us again members have worked hard so that paschal revelation gives us the right His Body on Earth, to strengthen our Lord Himself to walk with these liturgical moments can be a to sing “Alleluia” in a world overcast faith and show us that He indeed has dynamic encounter with the Lord and with the cloud of death. truly conquered sin and death. Him and enter fully into His Body on Earth, the Church. There — JOURNEY TO EASTER, pg. 132 Welcome to all who are visiting the events of our salvation. are not only individual moments, but with us during Holy Week and Easter moments of true communion for all of These words of the Holy Father also and all who will be at the Masses and In doing so, our own per- us together. certainly recall and confi rm St. Paul’s services with us. I want to also wel- As we look to Easter Sunday, the encouraging and triumphant words to come in a special way all of the RCIA sonal triumphs and sor- great day of the Resurrection, the the Corinthians: Elect and Candidates who will be words of Pope Benedict XVI can help received into the Church throughout rows, Calvaries and Geth- us refl ect on this most central day to “Death is swallowed up in victory. all of our parishes. May God bless you semanies, will point us to us, that Christ is truly risen indeed: Where, O death, is your victory? abundantly and fi ll your lives with an Where, O death, is your sting?” The abundance of peace and joy.