Nov. 17, 2020 — Annapolis, MD



New! Catholic Health Care Planning Video



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Who will make decisions about your medical care if you get very sick or are nearing the end of your life?



Our new one-hour on-demand webinar <[link removed]> will walk you through Catholic teaching, health care directives, and understanding options such as hospice or palliative care from experts who include Rev. Michael DeAscanis, STL; attorney Shannon Hammond; and nurse practitioner Joan Panke.



Watch the video plus get a Catholic-friendly advanced directive (available in English and Spanish) for use in Maryland, resources on Catholic teaching, tips for talking with your family about your wishes, and more at mdcatholic.org/endoflife <[link removed]>.



Maryland Launches COVID Contact Tracing App









As the number of COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rising, the state, local governments, health care entities and ministries are working to reduce infections. Today, Governor Larry Hogan announced new precautions <[link removed]>. These include 50 percent capacity for religious institutions, suspended hospital visits, and additional restrictions on bars, restaurants and other entities.



Last week, the State of Maryland released a new mobile phone app to assist with contact tracing. Instructions to activate the app, privacy information and more is here <[link removed]>. The app will notify you if you may have had exposure to someone who has COVID-19.



Whether or not you download the app, if you see a call coming in from “MD COVID,” the call is from a public health contact tracer alerting you to possible exposure. Please note: contact tracers will NOT ask for money, credit cards or other personal information. For information on COVID in Maryland, visit the Department of Health Coronavirus website <[link removed]>.



Legislative Session Will Look Very Different







Empty House and Senate chambers may be the new normal for the upcoming General Assembly, which opens Jan. 13. Both the House and Senate have prepared detailed safety plans in light of the pandemic.



Plans include facility enhancements and cleaning, Covid testing (members anticipate being in Annapolis), virtual hearings, and limits on in-person public access that include appointments, a two-person visitor limit and escorts to meetings.



These plans may change based on the situation. Learn more:



- Maryland Senate guidelines <[link removed]>

- Maryland House of Delegates guidelines <[link removed]>



“The Maryland Catholic Conference staff is prepared to adapt to the new precautions,” said Executive Director Jenny Kraska. She noted, “We already have been attending hearings and meeting with legislators via video conferencing and have submitted testimony electronically during pre-session hearings earlier this fall. We also are adding text alerts to our Catholic Advocacy Network to make it easier for parishioners to participate in sharing their voice.”



In addition to text and email alerts, a Catholic Virtual Lobby Day will be held during the session. Look for details in January.



New! Get Text Action Alerts During Session







You now can receive action alerts by text or email (or both) during the legislative session. Sign up or update your preferences with the Catholic Advocacy Network.



To sign up for text alerts, text CATHOLIC to 443-764-8765. You will receive a reply asking for your name, and then your zip code so we can tailor alerts for you to reach your legislators.



You also can visit our advocacy alert sign up page for email and/or text alert sign ups <[link removed]>.



Looking Ahead



Consistory for New Cardinals



Cardinal-designate Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington and a member of the Maryland Catholic Conference Board of Governors, departed for Rome today to attend the consistory at which he will be elevated to the College of Cardinals. He left early for the Nov. 28 event so he could quarantine. He sent this message via Twitter <[link removed]>:







Cardinals serve until age 80 as papal electors and also as special advisors to the Pope. The Archdiocese of Washington <[link removed]> and Catholic Standard <[link removed]> will have updates, and Vatican News <[link removed]> will have a video link of the consistory. Please keep Cardinal-designate Gregory and the other new Cardinals in your prayers.



Thanksgiving Prayer



Finally, as we prepare for Thanksgiving next week, please be healthy and safe. Our staff will keep you and your families in prayer. While many of us will not be with our families this year as usual, we continue to have much to be grateful for and invite you to join us in this traditional Catholic prayer of thanksgiving:



Lord, we thank you

for the goodness of our people

and for the spirit of justice

that fills this nation.



We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the

land and the challenge of the cities.



We thank you for our work and our rest,

for one another, and for our homes.



We thank you, Lord:

accept our thanksgiving on this day.

We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.



Amen.



JOIN THE CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK



The Catholic Advocacy Network gives you a voice on important issues in Maryland. Learn more and join our network. <[link removed]>



STAY CONNECTED WITH US!



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