Five Things to Remember on Nov. 28

1.      The decision by the Supreme Court Nov. 26 to direct the Fourth Circuit to hear Liberty University’s appeal from the dismissal of its lawsuit is the right one. There is a serious impact on religious freedom when the government can coerce a religious organization to provide sterilization and contraception, including abortion-inducing contraceptives, when these directly violate the beliefs of the religious group. The courts must consider how this impacts freedom of religion and whether it violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

 

2.      Christmas time might find some parish seminarians helping in their home parish. There are 5,015 seminarians enrolled in the United States, 3,346 enrolled in diocesan seminaries and 1,669 enrolled in religious-order seminaries.

 

3.      The coming of Advent December 2 is a time to note that there is more that unites us than divides us. For example, despite real differences in our understanding of God, Muslims have always shown great respect for Jesus and his Mother.

 

4.      Today begins the second year of the New Roman Missal. What an amazing educational campaign that reached more than 18,000 parishes across the country in a short period of time.

Listen to Monsignor Richard Hilgartner, executive director of the USSCB's office of divine worship, talk about the first year Missal translation:

 

5.      God loves you.