December Capitol Comments: Full of Grace

By: Jennifer Allmon, Associate Director, Texas Catholic Conference

As a new mom, I have come to marvel at the grace of Mary. As I prepared for labor, I found myself reflecting on Mary's sacrifices. I remembered a conversation with a dear friend who happens to be a non-Catholic. I was surprised one day to see that she created the most beautiful Our Lady of Guadalupe in sidewalk chalk on her back deck. When I asked her if she was a closet Catholic, she replied, "Hey, I admire Mary not just because God chose her to carry Jesus, but also because she rode through the desert on the back of a camel during labor. That commands the respect of all mothers."As the Feast of the Immaculate Conception approaches, it is easy to see that Mary serves as a model not only to mothers, but to all. While none of us has the advantage of being born without sin, we can strive and pray for her grace.

Call Senators Immediately About Health Care Reform

ACT NOW:
Please take a moment to do one last thing before you head out to celebrate Christmas! The Senate is expected to vote for final passage of the Senate health care reform bill on Christmas Eve morning. The bill will not provide genuine health care that respects the life and dignity of all people.

Senator Hutchison can be reached by phone at her DC office at 202-224-5922. Click here to get her local phone number or contact her on the web.

Senator Cornyn can be reached by phone at his DC office at 202-224-2934. Click here to get his local phone number or contact him on the web.

Sample Message:


"Hi my name is name and I am calling from city, Texas. As a Catholic, I ask you to:
If you have any questions on the position of the Bishops of Texas with regard to this bill, feel free to contact the Texas Catholic Conference at 512-339-9882. Thank you for your time."
-keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections on abortion;
-protect the access to health care that immigrants currently have and remove current barriers to access; and
-include strong provisions for adequate affordability and coverage standards.

Click here to read the entire action alert.

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TCC Holiday Schedule

The Texas Catholic Conference offices will be closed for the celebration of Christmas and the New Year from Wednesday, December 23 until Monday January 4. We wish you many blessings this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and the blessing of a New Year. We will continue to update our web site with health care reform resources and encourage you to visit www.usccb.org/healthcare for up-to-date resources.

Health Reform Bill Needs More work Despite New Language on Abortion, say Catholic Bishops

The Senate health reform bill should not move forward in its current form, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City said December 19, as senators proceeded closer to a vote.

'Abortion Compromise' Does Not Address Core Problem in Senate Health Bill, Says Cardinal Dinardo, Bishops' Pro-Life Chair

Responding to reports of a new “compromise” proposal on abortion in the U.S. Senate’s health care reform bill, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo today reaffirmed the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that the legislation will be morally unacceptable “unless and until” it complies with longstanding current laws on abortion funding such as the Hyde amendment.  Cardinal DiNardo is Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and Chairman of the Conference’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities.