Saturday Song – Double Play

We just celebrated Ascension Thursday and we are in the powerful time of prayer that leads to Pentecost. In the meantime, Jesus was very clear that we are to go spread the “good news.” To that end I post two songs today.

The first is Veni Sancte Spiritus from Taize. Come Holy Spirit, Come!

I also wanted to find a video of Go Out in the World by Ed Bolduc. This was the closing hymn at the Ascension liturgy that marked the close of Spring Enrichment on Thursday. What do you know, the video that I found comes from our own diocese, from the Music & Liturgy at Pyramid Lake -An Experience for Youth at Pyramid Life Center! What a reminder of what we are called to do by our Lord!

Saturday Bonus – Spring Enrichment featuring James Martin, SJ

Each year our diocese hosts a large scale catechetical event, Spring Enrichment. This year’s theme is the Heart of Christ. I remember the first time that I attended Spring Enrichment in 2008, I could not believe it! There was (and is!) such a wide breadth of courses, seminars and speakers to choose from. Since that time, I have not missed a year, and I have been privileged to be an instructor, as well as involved with the planning of events.

This year we have a very major keynote speaker, Father James Martin, SJ. Father Jim has written numerous books, is often seen on television, has a pronounced presence on the internet and is also an editor at America magazine, the national Catholic weekly. A great list of Martin’s books has been compiled by my friend, Brother Daniel Horan, OFM and can be seen here.

Fr. Jim and I spent a little time on the phone recently and I wrote this column about him in today’s Times Union. (No subscription or registration required.) If you attend the evening event, you can support a wonderful charity, The Sister Maureen Joyce Center, which will benefit from ticket sales proceeds.

Urgent Update From the Bishop

Dear Parish Community,

Due to a communication mishap, we did not receive a letter from Bishop Hubbard calling our attention to the recent decision by the government to mandate Catholic employers who serve boundaries beyond the Roman Catholic community to offer their employees health coverage that includes contraceptives. This, in the words of Bishop Hubbard is a “substantial intrusion on our First Amendment right to Freedom of Religion.”

I have received this letter in my home email today and am reprinting it here. We will have copies in the parish office and in the gathering space. It will be inserted into our bulletin next week. You will also be able to find a copy on our website.

Thank you for your attention to this. Please let us know if you have any questions.

January 31, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write concerning a serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.  The federal government, which is designed to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic Church.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced recently that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception.  Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write.  And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics and others our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty.  As a result, unless the rule is overturned, the institutions of the Catholic Church such as schools, colleges, hospitals nursing homes and catholic charities agencies, will be compelled either to violate their moral consciences, or to drop health coverage for their employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so).  The government’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.

People of faith cannot be made second class citizens nor can the First Amendment to our Constitution be thrashed to suit the fads and fashions of the moment.  We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom which has been such an important part of our nation’s greatness.

As Cardinal designate Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, in response to this ruling, stated: “The Catholic Church defends religious liberty, including freedom of conscience, for everyone.  The Amish do not carry health insurance.  The government respects their principles.  Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new health-care reform law respects that.  Quakers and others object to killing even in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious objectors.  By its decision the government has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease.”

In light of this government intrusion on religious freedom during the forthcoming Lenten Season, I would ask of you two things.  First, as a community of faith we commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored.  Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible.  Second, I would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the government’s decision.

With gratitude for your attention to this matter, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Howard J. Hubbard

Bishop of Albany