The Apostolate for Family Consecration stands with Pope Benedict XVI, the US Catholic Conference of Bishops and all those speaking out against this latest advance of the culture of death.
On January 20, 2012 the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made a ruling in conjunction with the recently approved healthcare law. In identifying the "preventive services" that must be covered in most health insurance plans, this HHS mandate specifies "all FDA approved forms of contraception," including sterilization and some abortifacients. Despite the so-called "accommodation" made afterwards, religious and pro-life institutions will still have to pay for health insurance plans which will, in turn, give "free" contraceptives and abortifacients to their employees.
If this isn't addressed and repealed, all employers, including religious entities (i.e. Church schools, hospitals, charities, etc.) will be REQUIRED to offer something that they do not support and which contradicts their beliefs.
Here is what some others are doing and how we can help:
Cardinal Raymond Burke encourages everyone to sign this online petition: http://www.earnedmedia.org/sgpg0206.htm
Sign the American Family Association's online petition: http://action.afa.net/email/online.aspx?cid=1686&mid=12828381&tid=aa&...
Sign American Center for Law and Justice's online petition: http://aclj.org/obamacare/defend-religious-liberty-stop-forced-abortion-pill-...
The Parable of the Kosher Deli by Bishop William Lori: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-parable-of-the-kosher-deli#ixzz1mi09...
EWTN files suit against the US Government over this contraception mandate: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ewtn-sues-us-government-over-contracep...
The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia invite us to join them in a Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: http://nashvilledominican.org/News/Latest_News
Supernatural Response
As Catholic families, we have an incredible opportunity to respond even more effectively against this assault on our freedoms and consciences. We fight a spiritual battle against sin and death, and we fight for truth and life. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the amour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. (Ephesians 6:12)
We invite you to join us in a most powerful spiritual response; a forty-day spiritual journey starting on March 7, 2012 and ending on the feast of Divine Mercy, the Sunday after Easter. Our Lord said
"Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation, that is, the Feast of My Mercy."
Our Lord wants to immerse us, our country and the entire world in His Divine Mercy. The graces that we can merit through devotion to His Mercy and during the great Feast of Mercy not only bring hope for the salvation of souls, but also peace for humanity! He revealed this latter dimension in the following text:
"The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy" (699).
Let us prepare our hearts this Lent, and through us, the hearts of all men, for the outpouring of His grace and love on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15th. Click here to find out more and access free resources for you to use and share!
Gratefully yours in the Holy Family,
Robert & Nisan Coniker
