From the Holy Father, Francis, on the meaning and importance of the Nativity Scene.

On November 12, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the legality of the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its attempted rescission by the Trump Administration. The USCCB, along with other institutional Catholic and Evangelical partners, submitted an amicus brief in support of the DACA recipients on October 4.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio “Aperuit illis,” published on 30 September (the Memorial of St. Jerome and, this year, the 1600th year since his death), establishes that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God.” It is St. Jerome who reminds us that “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

The 2nd edition of the OBC may be used in the Liturgy as of February 2, 2020, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Its use is mandatory as of Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. From that date forward, no other translation of the rite may be used in the dioceses of the United States.

We have scheduled two separate, but related, training opportunities on the weekend of August 2-4, 2019 at St. Patrick, Iowa City. The theme for this training is “The Parish As Initiating Community” and will help us recognize how the entire parish serves as the initiating community for those preparing to receive the sacraments. The training has been divided into two portions and we invite you to join us for either or both sessions. We encourage all parishes to have at least one representative at each training. There is a discount for those who participate in both days.

In 2010, frequencies in the 700MHz range were phased out for wireless mics. Beginning in 2017, the FCC started to phase out frequencies in the 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz ranges. This may effect your wireless system in your parish.

Pope Francis has established that the Optional Memorial of Pope Saint Paul VI be inserted into the General Roman Calendar, to be observed on May 29.

The Apostolic Penitentiary of the Catholic Church has, once again, generously granted a plenary Indulgence for the Christian faithful taking part in the sacred celebrations throughout the course of the March for Life from January 17 through 18, 2019.

In response to President Trump’s policies of overturning asylum protection for victims of domestic violence and of separating children from their families at the border, the Bishops of New Mexico “pray the United States Department of Justice will reverse these practices, as they constitute human rights violations and an offense against the most important unit in society, the family.” Please click on the link for resources that we can use to join them in prayer.

The Spanish translation of the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal for use in the US has been approved and is in the process of being published. Regional workshops are now open for registration. Click on the link above for more information.

“Music Ministry: Spirituality and Skills for Choirs, Cantors, and Directors”

November 19 (the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time) has been designated the World Day of the Poor by Pope Francis.

At its fall meeting, the USCCB set December 12, 2016, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe aside as a National Day of Prayer with a focus on the plight of refugees and immigrants. In their press release the Bishops note that “It will be a time to place before a merciful God the hopes, fears, and needs of all those families who have come to the U.S. seeking a better life.” Please open the full story for resources... beyond December 12.

Praying for a new bishop...

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has published a new Instruction, Ad resurgendum cum Christo, regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation.

Here are links to prayers from the USCCB for use during this election season (English and Spanish) as well as a link to sample intercessions as we approach Election Day.

Pope Francis recently declared September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, as the Orthodox Church has done since 1989.

Pope Francis has raised the Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to the rank of a Feast.