Diocesan newspapers represent “significant places of encounter and attentive discernment for lay faithful involved in the social and political arena so that they can dialogue and find convergences and objectives for joint action in the service of the Gospel for the common good.”
Normally this column addresses state policy issues. This time it speaks to a national question — the scope of religious liberty in our national health care reform legislation.
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule forcing nearly all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization. These are listed among “preventive services” for women.
Nearly all health plans will have to cover these services without co-pays or other cost-sharing. The mandate applies regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself, objects to such coverage.
Normally this column addresses state policy issues. This time it speaks to a national question — the scope of religious liberty in our national health care reform legislation.
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule forcing nearly all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization. These are listed among “preventive services” for women.
Nearly all health plans will have to cover these services without co-pays or other cost-sharing. The mandate applies regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself, objects to such coverage.
To Fr. Ken Doyle:
I would like to respond to your answer in the Catholic Herald of January 19. It concerns the $57 million church request.
In our county we are trying to help the homeless who end up sleeping in their cars or under a bridge in a cardboard box. We are doing this with the help of churches, regardless of their denomination.
To the editor:
Thank you for the December 29 editorial on Faith and Public Life and for coverage the last few months of the recent efforts by U.S. bishops in ongoing defense of religious freedom.
Let us love one another as Jesus loves us, especially by praying in secret and by meditating on Jesus and the Father and their teachings as Mary, Handmaid of the Father and Queen assumed into heaven, meditates.
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Each February, the Church celebrates two events of special significance to Little Sisters of the Poor.
On February 5, the Church celebrates the World Day of Consecrated Life, a day important to all men and women religious. On February 11, the World Day of the Sick is observed.
Each of these special days offers an opportunity for us to affirm our vocation as consecrated women devoted to the Church’s mission of compassion through the ministry of healthcare.
MILWAUKEE — School Sister of St. Francis Valine Althaus, 100, who served in education for more than half a century, died January 5, 2012, at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wis. The daughter of Valentine and Theresa Althaus, she was born September 23, 1911, in Kieler, Wisconsin. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis June 15, 1927; made her first profession of vows August 23, 1933; and final (perpetual) vows August 12, 1939.
MILWAUKEE — School Sister of St. Francis Catherine Guzy, 87, who served as a teacher, school principal, and an insurance agent, died January 17, 2012, at Sacred Heart Convent, Milwaukee. The daughter of Charles and Margaret Guzy, she was born April 21, 1924, in Pana, Illinois. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis June 13, 1941; made her first profession of vows June 21, 1943; and final (perpetual) vows June 21, 1949.
SINSINAWA — Sister Antoinette “Toni” Callahan, OP (Vincent Mary), died Jan. 17, 2012, at Swedish Medical Center, Denver, Colo. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Jan. 28, 2012, followed by burial of the cremains in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
MILWAUKEE — School Sister of St. Francis Jane (Esdra) Hilger, who lived her religious vocation as an educator at nearly a dozen Catholic Schools in three states, died January 22, 2012, at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Wisconsin. Sister was 92.
