Ambassador Frank Shakespeare called it an “extraordinary time” following a “huge transition in human civilization.” And he was right in the thick of it all.
Day: March 22, 2012
Revisions to sex education approved, awaits governor’s signature
MADISON — On March 14, the State Assembly approved legislation to provide local districts more flexibility in teaching human growth and development classes. The bill also permits abstinence-based instruction.
The Assembly approved Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt, (R-Fond du Lac) on a vote of 60-34. The legislation restores the flexibility and local control, which school districts enjoyed up until the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year that allowed them to offer different approaches to human growth and development instruction.
WCC helps defeat rent-to-own legislation
MADISON –The Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) joined other pro-consumer groups to persuade legislators to reject a bill to exempt rent-to-own (RTO) businesses from key provisions of Wisconsin’s Consumer Act (WCA).
The Wisconsin Assembly approved Assembly Bill 582 on the last day of the legislative session, but the Senate declined to consider the bill before it adjourned for the year. In the closing days of the session, staff of Catholic Charities agencies and St. Vincent de Paul Society Councils were among those who made phone calls to legislators urging that the bill not be approved.
Legislature approves pro-life bills
MADISON — In the closing days of the 2011-12 legislative session, the Wisconsin Assembly gave final approval to two bills that ensure access to health care without increasing support for abortion. One measure, Senate Bill 92 bars health insurance providers that participate in a future state exchange from including elective abortions in their coverage. The proposal, Senate Bill 92, sponsored by Senator Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) and Representative Robin Vos (R-Burlington) passed the Assembly on a 61 to 34 vote. The Senate had approved the bill in October 2011.
The federal health care reform legislation enacted in 2010 requires states to create exchanges that offer health insurance consistent with the new law by January of 2014. The federal law provides that states have the option of excluding abortion coverage from health plans participating in the state exchange. Senate Bill 92 creates that exclusion.
Does Medicare cover nursing home care?
Q What exactly does Medicare cover? My father is in his late 70’s and in failing health.
He has told me when the time comes he would agree to go to a “home,” (my mother died many years ago).
He seems to think Medicare will cover the cost of a nursing home. I don’t think it does. Who is right? (From a son in Beloit).
The joy of watching grandchildren grow into adults
It’s common knowledge that grandparenthood is a well-earned reward for surviving parenthood.
You get all of the benefits of having an adorable child without the pain and responsibility. No pain of childbirth, no up-all-nights. No having to feed and clothe them.
Grandparenthood at age 40
I entered that lofty stage of grandparenthood at age 40. I remember rushing to the hospital nursery to see Jeff, my first-born grand, and announcing to the nurse, “I’m the baby’s grandmother.”
Drawn to the light of Truth
Dear Friends,
This past weekend we celebrated, Laetare Sunday, that is, “Rejoice Sunday.” As someone who watches and reads the news a lot, I’m tempted to be left in a less-than-Laetare mood — not much of a mood to rejoice.
From the Threshold of the Apostles
“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days” (Galatians 1:18).
In my previous two-part preparatory article, I outlined the historical context and current format and content of the ad limina apostolorum pilgrimage, literally, “to the threshold of the apostles,” by bishops to Rome on a quinquennial basis, i.e., five-year basis.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino and the bishops of Region VII, comprising Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, recently completed their pilgrimage and I’ll offer a brief reflection in thanksgiving as a privileged pilgrim accompanying Bishop Morlino on the ad limina pilgrimage.
I extend my deepest thanks to Bishop Morlino for the opportunity to assist him and accompany him on the ad limina pilgrimage.
It’s not just an issue in Pakistan and China
Thirty-some years ago, I spent a fair amount of time on religious freedom issues: which meant, in those simpler days, trying to pry Lithuanian priests and nuns out of Perm Camp 36 and other GULAG islands.
Had you told me in 1982 that one of my “clients,” the Jesuit Sigitas Tamkevicius, would be archbishop of Kaunas in a free Lithuania in 2012, I would have thought you a bit optimistic.
If you had also told me, back then, that there would eventually be serious religious freedom problems in the United States, I would have thought you a bit mad.
Consider investments, how they impact community
To the editor:
In the Saturday March 10 is of The New York Times, writer Samuel G. Freedman highlights the support that various clergy and congregations have shown to their parishioners and local communities in the midst of the mortgage crisis in “Mortgage Crisis Inspires Churches to Send Lenten Season Message to Banks.”
In the spirit of Lent, churches are calling for a moratorium on foreclosures, moving church monies out of the major banks involved in widespread foreclosures to local banks, even supporting families at meetings with their bank.