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"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." The steady, confident, and reassuring voice of the Lord Jesus still speaks to us. He calls us each by name. He knows each one of us. He hears our pain and he knows our worries. He never tires of calling us because he is the way, the truth and the life. Before we go over to the Capitol this day, let the voice of the Good Shepherd echo in our hearts. Let his words settle in our brains. His voice reminds us of who we are. He clears the confused, cluttered clamor of partisan politics so that we can see the way, truth and the life for the people of California.
The life of California depends on recognizing the dignity of life for all Californians. This dignity is not defined by state government. This God-given dignity defines the purpose of state government. Our social covenant should enable the life and liberty of the human person, not eliminate or exclude those who don't fit in.
The truth for California is found in recognizing what binds us together as one people. The power and industry of this State is found by weaving together the sincere hopes and honest ambitions of our diverse communities. When we ignore or dismiss the truth of the human person, we deny the true goodness that can make California great.
The way for California is discovered in recognizing the life and the truth that each person can bring to the table of hope.
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 We are gathered here today because as Pope Benedict reminded us in “Deus Caritas Est” “We have come to believe in God’s love for us…which gives (our) life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” (1) We are here because of “the love God lavishes on us and which we in turn must share with others.” (1)
We are gathered here today first and foremost as Catholic people of faith, as those who share God’s love for this world, this state, our elected officials and those most in need.
Love animates our advocacy today and everyday.
We are many, about 600 today but we represent 11 million of the 38 million in California. Backing your voice today is the Catholic Legislative Network of now almost 35,000 members. In fact, 109 of the 119 members in legislative districts received email in support of our issues. There will be thousands more in the months to come. All of the members are Catholic people of faith who are educating themselves and acting for the Life and Dignity of all in our state.
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 Despite spring showers that forced the cancellation of the much-enjoyed march to the state Capitol, more than 600 people from around California took part in Catholic Lobby Day. They meet with their elected representatives or their staff members and spoke out on behalf of the poor and vulnerable. And they were supported by hundreds of emails from members of the Catholic Legislative Network.
One legislative staff member – pointing to a stack of papers left by others on a variety of issues – told Lobby Day participants that the assembled Catholics were the only one’s speaking out on behalf of the poor.
Participants gathered under threatening skies at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, two blocks from the Capitol. They heard briefings on all the Lobby Day bills as well as presentations from students from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose on their advocacy curriculum.
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AB 1642 Food Stamps
SB 399 Youth Sentencing
SB 1460 Dream Act
California State Budget
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