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DATE: May 4, 2009
TO: Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors, Friends
FROM: Michael Taylor, Executive Director
RE: Stem Cell Action Alert
On March 9, President Obama issued an Executive Order overturning President Bush’s stem cell research funding policies. On April 23, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published draft guidelines implementing the Obama directive. The public has until May 26 to submit comments.
In response to the NIH draft guidelines, Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Michael Castle (R-DE) said they intend to move forward with legislation that goes beyond the guidelines.
People are urged (1) to send messages to Congress opposing any legislation promoting destructive embryonic stem cell research and (2) to send comments to NIH on the draft guidelines.
E-mail messages can be sent to Congress and to NIH through the NCHLA Grassroots Action Center at: www.nchla.org/stemcell . People are first directed to send e-mails to their U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators. They are then directed to go to the NIH web form, where their name and a prepared pro-life message have already been inserted. Before submitting the comments, the user must complete a simple "Security Check" (fill in a random set of four provided numbers). Comments can be added to both messages.
For more information, please visit the USCCB page on stem cell research. Click here to visit the USCCB website! |
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Ten Questions on Influenza/Swine Flu and the Liturgy |
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 From the USCCB Committee on Divine Worship
Ten Questions on Influenza/Swine Flu and the Liturgy
Throughout the years, the Committee on Divine Worship's Newsletter has addressed the liturgical implications of the transmission of pathogens on numerous occasions. With the swine flu virus appearing in the United States, the Secretariat of Divine Worship, having consulted with experts, offers the following brief reflections on "influenza/swine flu and the Liturgy."
What is swine flu influenza?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "swine influenza (swine flu) is a disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people." Why is there particular concern for the spread of swine flu at this moment?
Numerous cases of swine flu were recently confirmed in the United States. The CDC is presently monitoring this health issue and will give further guidance as the situation warrants. What is the best way to prevent the transmission of the swine flu virus?
The CDC suggests that, "as with other infectious illnesses, one of the most important and appropriate preventive practices is careful and frequent hand hygiene. Cleaning your hands often using either soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizers removes potentially infectious materials from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission." How is the influenza virus transmitted?
According to the CDC, "influenza viruses are spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and spreads virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu."
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Faithful Citizenship: The Next Step |
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The Next Step
Making a Difference in Washington and Columbus: Effective Communication of Catholic Social Teaching to Elected Officials
The elections are over but our work continues. Catholic Social Teaching reflects Scripture’s “love one another” principle and as Catholics, our baptismal mandate calls us to:
protect human life from conception through natural death, prioritize the needs of poor and vulnerable persons, seek fair economic revitalization, and pursue peace throughout our world.
Join us at one of the following venues with Mr. Jim Tobin, Associate Director for the Catholic Conference of Ohio, as he shares tips gained from thirty years of experience working in the legislative arena. Tobin will demonstrate skills for effective letter writing, phone calling, emails and visits to elected state and national officials. Thursday, May 7
7-8:30 pm
St. Paul’s Gathering Space
91 E. Main St., Norwalk Saturday, May 9
10-11:30 am
Catholic Center
1933 Spielbusch, Toledo Wednesday, May 13
7 -8:30 pm
SS. Peter and Paul School
320 N. Locust St., Ottawa Mr. Tobin’s experience and knowledge cuts across a wide range of areas, from pro-life issues to eradicating poverty, to working with organizations such as Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services.
For more information contact Debbie at Fremont Catholic Charities: 419-334-5061,
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sponsored by the Department of Parish Ministries/Social Concerns Catholic Charities, Diocese of Toledo, with funding from theAnnual Catholic Appeal |
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