Catholic Relief Services, the international humanitarian arm of the US Bishops, has increased its commitment of aid to the people of Haiti to $25 million thanks to the outpouring of donations from people in this country.

 

Improvements at the air and sea ports are allowing more aid to flow into the quake-ravaged nation, but doctors are still using vodka to sterilize wounds in the absence of proper medical supplies.  Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York has been asked by the Vatican to attend the funeral of Archbishop Joseph Serge Minot from Port-au-Prince who was killed in the quake.  Archbishop Dolan is also chairman of Catholic Relief Services and will report back to the USCCB on conditions in Haiti.

 

CRS's website provides the latest news on Haitian relief efforts, including photos and stories about the conditions in the Caribbean nation.  More on the CRS efforts in Haiti are available here. 
 

The potential for health care insurance reform dimmed considerably this week when the Democrats lost their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.  Congressional leaders and the White House continue to assess the situation, but the general reaction seems to be one of caution. 

 

Talk of a scaled down reform effort - enacting some reform - seems to predominate.  The US Conference of Catholic Bishops continues to emphasize three essential elements: protection of life and consciences, affordability and availability for the poorest and most vulnerable. 

 

You can review the Bishops' health care insurance reform statements here.  For more information, contact Steve Pehanich, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

  

Today is a national day of penance and prayer on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States 37 years ago.  Many events will take place in California and throughout the nation to mark the occasion.  For example, press reports indicated that nearly 20,000 people attended a vigil mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception last night.

 

"We must begin with a commitment never to intentionally kill," says Living the Gospel of Life, "or collude in the killing, of any innocent human life, no matter how broken, unformed, disabled or desperate that life may seem."

For information on local events, contact the respect life director in your diocese - a list is available here.   Background information on pro-life issues in general is summarized on our webpage which also has links to the USCCB's national pages.

 

For more information, contact Carol Hogan, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

About 500 people attended the 16th annual archdiocesan Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast in Inglewood, California, on Monday. The event was held at Saint Mary's Academy and sponsored by the African American Catholic Center for Evangelization (AACCFE).

 

The breakfast featured a keynote address by noted theologian Father Bryan Massingale of Marquette University, as well as prayer, musical performances and moving MLK tribute by drama class students.  A collection for Haiti was also held.

 

Throughout the event, school administrators and other speakers touched on the importance of education as one of the essential elements of social justice.  Principal Yvonne McNeal - who also recalled being embraced by Saint Mary's when she began attending the school shortly after MLK's death - said all graduates of the school go on to college.

 

The breakfast was followed by a memorial Mass later in the day, while Massingale attended an afternoon retreat with members of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Justice and Peace Commission and spoke about "prophetic ministry for a church in transition." 

 

Fr. Massingale is president of the Catholic Theological Society of America and convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium.  For more information contact Steve Pehanich, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mr. Martin Garrick (R-Carlsbad) grabbed California's top Republican Assembly post earlier this week as the Republican Caucus leader.  He replaces Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo) who is termed out this year.  

 

Mr. Garrick was part of Ronald Reagan's transition team after the 1980 election and later served in the Reagan Administration, including as Deputy House-Senate Liaison.  He is now part of the "Big Five" of California's leadership and will have a direct role in trying to solve California's $20 billion budget deficit.

 

"One way you do that is with jobs," Garrick said in a phone interview.  "My emphasis will be saving the jobs we have, growing jobs and bringing jobs back to California."

 

Garrick will work alongside Blakeslee for a limited time before assuming his new duties.  For more information contact Linda Wanner, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .