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December 8, 2023


News


Overview: Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, when we celebrate the wonderful mystery of God's plan of salvation: gracing a woman to bear and give birth to the world's Savior, who by his death and resurrection won the forgiveness of sins and everlasting peace. May we be agents of God's peace today.

Arguments over border security policy doomed any agreements on a national security supplemental bill this week in Congress. Meanwhile, negotiations over spending bills continue in both houses, with differences over climate change provisions being one of the biggest obstacles to overcome.

Economy: In the week ending December 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims ([link removed]) was 220,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 218,000 to 219,000. The 4-week moving average was 220,750, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 220,000 to 220,250.

"Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 199,000 in November, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today ([link removed]). Job gainsoccurred in health care and government. Employment also increased in manufacturing, reflecting the return of workers from a strike. Employment in retail trade declined."

New HHS proposed regulations for unaccompanied children: CCUSA, with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), submitted comments ([link removed]) on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) proposed regulations entitled "Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule" ([link removed]), to standardize the care and placement of unaccompanied children, increasing transparency of the process. Both CCUSA and the USCCB applaud HHS' efforts to codify protections that promote the health and well-being of unaccompanied children but note that parts of the proposed regulations are inconsistent with the Flores Settlement Agreement, the law governing how long migrant children can be held in federal government custody and the type of care they must receive. CCUSA and the USCCB ([link removed]) are also deeply concerned by and strongly oppose the HHS' attempts to codify through this Proposed Rule its policy of facilitating abortions. Relatedly, ORR's failure to adequately enshrine conscience protections within the regulatory text should be rectified in the final rule. We also note the use of ambiguous terminology throughout the Proposed Rule and affirm that these terms should not be construed so as to conflict with the religious beliefs and moral convictions of faith-based service providers.

 

Trivia

Q. The Immaculate Conception refers to whom?

Please send your answers to candles of the wreath ([link removed]) represent Jesus coming as the light in darkness, bringing us hope, peace, joy, and love.

 

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