Five Things to Remember on May 12

1. The chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace will brief bishops and public officials on the details of a dialogue initiated by a delegation from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during a trip to Iran, March 11-17. The Supreme Council of the Seminary Teachers of Qom, the preeminent center of religious scholarship in Iran, hosted the dialogue, which sought to promote greater understanding and peace between Americans and Iranians.

2. Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’(USCCB) Committee on Migration, including those who celebrated Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona April 1, will travel to Capitol Hill, May 29, to urge lawmakers in the House of Representatives to act on immigration reform legislation.

  3. Catholic News Service reports that Pope Francis will beatify Pope Paul VI on October 19, during the closing Mass of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family.

4. The Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Serve will take place from June 21 to July 4, 2014, a time when our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power. The theme of this year's Fortnight will focus on the freedom to serve the poor and vulnerable in accord with human dignity and the Church's teaching.

5. God loves you.