ACTION ALERT! Oppose the "Freedom of Choice Act" Abortion rights groups and their allies in Congress are promoting a radical bill called the "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA). If this extreme measure is enacted, widely supported and constitutionally sound abortion regulations will be knocked down nationwide. If passed into law, FOCA will impose upon the entire country an abortion regime far worse than anything brought on by Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. And the current level of 1.1 million abortions a year will go up, not down. Return to top The "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) would have a destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities. –Francis Cardinal George FOCA would deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry. FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. – Justin Cardinal Rigali Return to top FOCA is even more extreme than the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that gave us abortion virtually on demand 35 years ago. FOCA is a serious threat to the lives and well-being of millions of women and their unborn children and to the conscience rights of all pro-life healthcare professionals. –Tom Grenchik, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Many of us are anxious over the fate of unborn children should President-elect Obama act on his statement to Planned Parenthood that he will sign the "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA), a ruinous bill that would eliminate virtually every pro-life law and policy in the country. - Susan Wills, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Return to top Click here to get involved in defeating FOCA. Click here for the Action Alert! Click here for a fact sheet about FOCA. Click here for a flyer about FOCA. Click here to read Cardinal Rigali's letter to members of congress. Click here to read Cardinal George's post-election statement. Return to top New Web Address: Cathdoy.org The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has a new address on the World Wide Web. Visit Cathdoy.org for the latest information from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Return to top Word, Worship, and Service Click here to read Word, Worship & Service, a new quarterly newsletter produced by the Offices of Worship, Catholic Schools and Catholic Charities. Return to top Pictures From the Diocesan Youth Convention A few glimpses of the Diocesan Youth Convention are now online. Please click here to check them out. Return to top Lutheran-Catholic Advent Scripture Reflections The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Commission offers to Catholic parishes and Lutheran congregations the Advent 2008 Year B Scripture Reflections. Visit the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Website, for more information about this ecumenical dialogue. Return to top First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Visit the First Friday Club Website for information on the monthly luncheon series. Return to top Bishop Holley Calls on Black Community to Overcome Abortion Bishop Martin D. Holley, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, issued a statement responding to a report by the Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood's research branch, showing that black women have abortions at five times the rate of white women. Click here to read Bishop Holley's statement. Return to top Scriptural Prayer for Autumn 2008 The Office of Religious Education invites you to use Scriptural Reflections Autumn 2008 for personal prayer or for prayer with parish ministry groups. This order of service for the Gospels in Ordinary Time Year A is based on the lectio divina method of scriptural prayer. Return to top Pauline Year: June 28, 2008 - June 29, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed a special year in honor of the 2000th Anniversary of the birth of St. Paul. Click here to learn more about the Year of St. Paul. Return to top Diocesan Development Director Named '2008 Outstanding Mentor' Mr. Pat Palombo, the Diocesan Director of Development and Stewardship of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, was honored as the 2008 Outstanding Mentor on November 11, 2008 at the 18th Annual National Philanthropy Day event held at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman, OH. Pat Palombo currently serves as the President of the Mahoning/Shenago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Under his leadership, the local Chapter of AFP received the Chapter Ten Star Award for excellence from AFP International. For the past 18 years, the Mahoning/Shenango Chapter has sponsored the local National Philanthropy Day event honoring various corporations, groups and individuals for their philanthropic endeavors. The local Chapter honored Mr. Palombo with the “2008 Outstanding Mentor” award for his commitment to empowering young fundraising professionals to learn the art and science of fund development. He was also recognized especially for his principle driven focus to ensure that all those engaged in philanthropic activities see fundraising not as a competitive effort but as an endeavor for the common good of the community. Return to top Youngstown Vocations Website The Diocesan Vocations Office has launched a website YoungstownVocations.org. Visit the Youngstown Vocations Website to learn more about a vocation to the Priesthood, Religious Life, or Permanent Diaconate. The website contains answers to your frequently asked questions, testimonials, current events, and much more. Click on the logo in the left-hand margin to visit the Youngstown Vocations Website. Return to top Getting Married? Consider attending God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage, one-day retreat for engaged couples. This retreat is held in various locations throughout the diocese. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Click here to download the registration form.(pdf) Or contact the Office of Pro-Life, Marriage & Family at 330-744-8451 ext. 289 Return to top Natural Family Planning Many people are searching for a better way to live their married life: a way that is healthier – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Learn more about Natural Family Planning List of Local NFP Instructors Contact the Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family at 330-744-8451 for more information. Return to top Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Bishop George Murry, S.J. and Bishop Eaton of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have approved the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Action Plan 2008-2011 prepared by the Covenant Commission. For more information, visit the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Website. Return to top Charismatic Prayer Groups Various charismatic prayer groups meet at different locations throughout the diocese. Click here to view the current list(pdf). For more information about Charismatic prayer please contact Rev. Robert Edwards at 330-424-7648 or e-mail georgelisbon@netscape.net. Return to top Child Protection Policy Revised "We re-affirm our deep commitment to creating a safe environment within the Church for children and youth." This quote from the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2005 identifies the intention of our diocese with the revision of the Diocese of Youngstown Child Protection Policy. Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., has promulgated the Policy, "Treasured Gifts from God," effective June 15, 2008. The purpose of our Policy is to protect children in our diocese from potential abusers, and to define the diocesan response in cases of alleged or actual abuse. To read the policy click on the child protection link on this website, or contact Nancy Yuhasz at 330-744-8451 to obtain a copy. Return to top Today’s Scripture Click here to view the readings for today’s Mass. Return to top