February 24, 2020 — Annapolis, MD
MARYLANDERS MARCH FOR LIFE
For more than 40 years, Marylanders have gathered in the streets of Annapolis to march for life, and this year, hundreds gathered on Feb. 24 for the annual event.
Similar to the national March for Life, the Maryland March for Life seeks to address the state's stance on abortion and other important life issues, including rights for persons with disabilities and those facing the end of life.
"Maryland has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the United States, but there is hope because the cause of life is gaining momentum here," said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, which participated in the event and advocates for all life in Maryland.
Read more... <[link removed]>
MARYLAND CATHOLIC CONFERENCE SUPPORTS HOME ACT
After nearly 2 decades of attempts to end income-based housing discrimination, a bill that would prohibit landlords and sellers from refusing to rent or sell a home to someone based on their source of income, moved one step closer to passing in the 2020 session.
The bill, SB 530, passed in the Senate on Feb. 18 and is now headed to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Maryland Catholic Conference has supported SB 530 — known as the HOME Act (Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act) — for the last several years. The Conference joined again this session with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and others in support of the bill.
Read more... <[link removed]>
PARENTS, STUDENTS TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF BOOST
Parents and students who participate in the BOOST Scholarship Program testified in both the House and Senate committees, sharing their stories of how BOOST has impacted their lives.
"BOOST gives students the chance at accessing something different," said Nefretari Lee, mother of a BOOST student at Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore City and representative of the BOOST Parent Ambassador Network. "It gives them the chance to thrive and to succeed in an environment that is conducive to learning. My personal belief is that we break down the barriers to social, economic and racial divide through education and information and BOOST helps parents and families do that."
Lee testified on Feb. 24 before the Senate Budget & Taxation subcommittee on Education, Business and Administration.
Read more... <[link removed]>
MARYLAND CATHOLIC CONFERENCE SUPPORTS THE TIME TO CARE ACT
The Maryland Catholic Conference joined with others in support of the Time to Care Act (HB 839/SB 539) in the House of Delegates on Feb. 24, a bill that would expand access to paid family leave to Maryland workers, allowing up to 12 weeks of paid time off from work to welcome a new baby, to provide care and comfort for family members with serious health conditions or disabilities, or to deal with a personal illness or injury.
Read more... <[link removed]>
ASH WEDNESDAY IS THIS WEEK
Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of the Lenten season — the 40-day period of preparation for Easter — will be celebrated this Wednesday, Feb. 26.
While not a holy day of obligation, Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass that day as a way of beginning their Lenten journey in prayer.
The practice of applying ashes on the forehead is done in our Catholic Churches to symbolize the dust from which God made us. Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance.
The Maryland Catholic Conference hopes everyone will join us in penance and fasting on this Ash Wednesday.
JOIN RAY KELLY, BALTIMORE CIVIC LEADER, IN PRAYER FOR MARYLAND'S GOVERNMENT LEADERS
This week's prayer for Maryland's elected officials is led by Ray Kelly, director of the Citizens Policing Project in Baltimore City, and vice-chair of the executive committee of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.
Ray was the inaugural recipient of the Faith in Baltimore Award. Learn more about Ray and the work he is doing to serve the people of Baltimore City HERE <[link removed]>.
The Conference encourages everyone to join us each Monday in prayer. To pray along this week with Bishop Malooly, visit our Facebook <[link removed]> page. Share the post and use the hashtag #WeAreCatholic.
To access the prayer: CLICK HERE. <[link removed]>
ATTEND THE SENATE HEARING ON PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE ON FEB. 28
There's still time to join us to show legislators that there are many Marylanders who stand strong against physician-assisted suicide. Join us on THIS Friday, Feb. 28 at 12 noon in Annapolis for the Senate hearing!
The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear testimony on the 2020 bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide (SB 701) on Friday, Feb. 28, at 12 noon. A hearing has not yet been scheduled on the House version of the bill, HB 643.
The Senate hearing will be held in the Judicial Proceedings hearing room on the second floor of the Miller Senate Office Building at 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis.
Read more... <[link removed]>
BOOST SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS TO OPEN SOON!
Applications for BOOST Scholarships for the 2020-21 school year will open soon and the Conference is encouraging anyone who might be interested in applying to sign up for the Maryland BOOST Scholarship Coalition's Action Network so they will be the first to know when it is time to apply.
Maryland generally accepts applications for BOOST starting sometime in February.
The Conference is a member of the Maryland BOOST Scholarship Coalition.
To join the BOOST Scholarship Coalition Action Network CLICK HERE. <[link removed]>
GET INVOLVED
JOIN THE CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK
Learn more about the Catholic Advocacy Network and how you can take action on important issues in Maryland: CLICK HERE. <[link removed]>
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
The Maryland Catholic Conference is still looking for volunteers to serve as Parish Legislative Ambassadors for some parishes. If you are passionate about the work we do and want to help us speak up on important issues in Maryland, please sign up to volunteer!
To sign-up to volunteer CLICK HERE. <[link removed]>
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
February 24, 2020: Maryland March for Life in Annapolis
February 28, 2020: Senate Hearing on Physician-Assisted Suicide
April 6, 2020: Sine Die (last day of 2020 legislative session)
April 22, 2020: Human trafficking presentation in Pasadena
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
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