Media Alert – Worth Noting in February 2003


Catholics Join for National Day of Prayer for the African American Family

On Sunday, February 2, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops staff and African American Catholics around the country will join in a National Day of Prayer for the African American Family sponsored by ten Catholic organizations including the USCCB Secretariat for African American Catholics. The National Day of Prayer for the African American Family was created by Franciscan Father James Goode in 1989 "as a day . . . set aside for us to give special thanks to God for our families and to place our every care in the arms of Jesus." A brochure with a prayer and suggestions for celebrating this day has been created and will be distributed to in parishes around the country. "Family Prayer makes it possible for us to face each day with renewed confidence and spiritual vitality," says Beverly A. Carroll, Executive Director, USCCB Secretariat for African American Catholics.

Beverly Carroll is available at 202/541-3177 (bcarroll@usccb.org).


Event to Recognize State College Campus Ministry

"Catholic educators who work in state colleges and universities have a unique opportunity to express their faith in the workplace," says Michael Galligan-Stierle, the U.S. bishops' Assistant Secretary for Catholic Higher Education and Campus Ministry. "One example is Molly Corbett Broad, president of the 16-campus University of North Carolina system. In a geographic area where Catholics and women in leadership are a clear minority, Mrs. Broad boldly expresses her faith as chair of the Campus Ministry Advisory Council for the Diocese of Raleigh and as an active parishioner at the Newman Center Parish in Chapel Hill. She often hosts campus ministry student leaders in her home for retreats and meals, joins the students weekly at a local soup kitchen, and assists the campus ministry staff in other ways. As university president and a committed Catholic she is true to both callings." Mrs. Broad and other heads of state-run colleges and universities will gather Sunday, February 16, during the American Council on Education's annual meeting in Washington, at a reception and Mass to affirm those active in communities of faith and academics. The event will be hosted by the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA), the National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry (NADDCM), and the National Catholic Student Coalition (NCSC).

Michael Galligan-Stierle can be reached at 202-541-3165 (mgalligan-stierle@usccb.org).


Doctor, Gardener, Puppeteer, Shepherd Hailed On Consecrated Life Day

Doctor, gardener, puppeteer, shepherd. These are among the nation's almost 100,000 men and women religious to be honored February 2 at the 2003 World Day for Consecrated Life. The annual celebration acknowledges the immense service that sisters, brothers, religious order priests and others who embrace the consecrated life give unselfishly to the society around them. "Because of schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other institutions, there are few in the United States who have not been influenced by men and women religious," notes Sister Mary Ann Walsh, Deputy Director, USCCB Department of Communications. For more information on the 2003 World Day for Consecrated Life, go to www.consecratedlife.org.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh can be reached at 202-541-3200 (mwalsh@usccb.org).


World Day of the Sick Will Be Held in Washington

Every February the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care sponsors the World Day of the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year, the XI Annual World Day of the Sick will be held in Washington, February 9-11, the first time it has been held in the United States. The event is being hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington and staffed by the Archdiocese, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Details are online at www.worlddayofthesick.org. Highlights include an international dialogue among bishops regarding health care in their countries, a study day at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center on Catholic health care, globalization, and medical ethics, and solemn liturgy with the anointing of the sick on Feb. 11 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. "This event recognizes those serving in health care ministry," says Bill Ryan, Deputy Director, USCCB Department of Communications. "It provides a unique opportunity to learn the Church's teaching on health care and to pray for the sick."

Bill Ryan is available at 202/541-3206 (bryan@usccb.org).


Annual Conference Will Focus on Social Concerns

Over 400 Catholic diocesan and parish social concerns leaders from around the country will gather in Washington, February 9-12, for the Annual Social Ministry Conference, to discuss significant domestic and international issues including welfare reform and the war in Iraq. Dan Misleh, meeting organizer in the Department of Social Development and World Peace, says "This annual meeting takes on added significance this year as we are on the brink of war, and because of the new focus on poverty by the bishops. Our meetings with Senators and Congressmen on February 11 will overlap presentations on Catholic social teaching with U.S. policy making."

Dan Misleh is available at 202/541-3195 (dmisleh@usccb.org).


Thankyoufather.com Shows Gratitude to Priests

Those who worry that the priestly calling has gotten tarnished lately might want to read the words of those grateful to priests for their roles in their lives. Begun in Louisville, KY by a group of lay persons, thankyoufather.org enables visitors to the site to read and to post letters of gratitude and anecdotes about priests' dedication and contributions to their world. "These letters from the grass roots are as touching as they are encouraging," says Father Edward Burns, Director, Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation. "Thankyoufather.com has a wealth of spontaneous good news just when we need to hear it."

Father Edward Burns is available at 202/541-3033 (eburns@usccb.org).


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Office of Communications
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000

January 21, 2003 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops