March 31, 2020 — Annapolis, MD
CORONAVIRUS CHURCH AND STATE RESOURCE
HUB
The restrictions on outside
activities tightened in Maryland on March 31 as part of the state's
effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. In response, the Maryland
Catholic Conference has created a COVID-19 resource hub, with links for spiritual resources
and online Masses, as well as government information and
resources.
Read more...
BOOST APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 24
The deadline to apply for a BOOST scholarship is Friday, April 24,
at midnight. The scholarships, available to qualifying low-income
students, will assist parents in sending their children to a
non-public school for the 2020-21 school year.
"As of today, the application deadline for BOOST has not changed.
We encourage parents to fill out their applications as soon as
possible. This program is a great opportunity for parents whose
children currently attend public school, as well as those with
children in a Catholic school who are struggling with tuition," said
Garrett O'Day, deputy director of the Maryland Catholic
Conference.
Read more...
"HE IS RISEN AND LIVING BY OUR
SIDE"
Pope Francis prayed for an end of the
COVID-19 pandemic, standing alone in St. Peter's Square on a rainy
March 27, and offered a rare Urbi et Orbi blessing. An
excerpt from his beautiful meditation:
"The Lord asks us and, in the midst
of our tempest, invites us to reawaken and put into practice that
solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to
these hours when everything seems to be floundering. The Lord awakens
so as to reawaken and revive our Easter faith. We have an anchor: by
his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have
been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and
embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming
love. In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of
tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so
many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves
us: he is risen and is living by our side. The Lord asks us from his
cross to rediscover the life that awaits us, to look towards those who
look to us, to strengthen, recognize and foster the grace that lives
within us. Let us not quench the wavering flame (cf. Is 42:3) that
never falters, and let us allow hope to be rekindled.
"Embracing his cross means finding
the courage to embrace all the hardships of the present time,
abandoning for a moment our eagerness for power and possessions in
order to make room for the creativity that only the Spirit is capable
of inspiring. It means finding the courage to create spaces where
everyone can recognize that they are called, and to allow new forms of
hospitality, fraternity and solidarity. By his cross we have been
saved in order to embrace hope and let it strengthen and sustain all
measures and all possible avenues for helping us protect ourselves and
others. Embracing the Lord in order to embrace hope: that is the
strength of faith, which frees us from fear and gives us
hope."
Read his full message HERE.
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.
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.
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