Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops.

From the Gospel for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (Matt 4:18-22)

Today is the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church. St. Francis' ardent love of God and souls, his great kindliness, rare wisdom and sure teaching made him exceptionally influential in bringing about conversions and in guiding souls in the spiritual life. He won back to the faith more than 70,000 heretics, thus restoring to the Church a great part of the Chablais, which had been ravaged by Protestantism. He was St. Jane de Chantal's spiritual director, and with her founded the Order of the Visitation. He is the author of Treatise on the Love of God and Introduction to the Devout Life. St. Francis died at Lyons in 1622.

Following is a statement by Kristen Curran, director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference on the inclusion of a $25 million so-called “Reproductive Freedom & Equity” grant program for abortion providers in the enacted 2024-25 New York State Budget: “In a difficult budget year amid continued economic uncertainty, New York lawmakers […]

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New York State’s Catholic schools will benefit from increased support under the recently enacted state budget. Governor Hochul and legislative leaders provided significant increases in several programs that serve religious and independent schools. The most notable funding increases include: $25 million increase for Health, Safety, & Security initiatives (totaling $70 million); $45 million increase in […]

The post Catholic Schools Fare Well in State Budget first appeared on New York State Catholic Conference.

Memorandum of Opposition Re: S3180 Hoylman-Sigal / A1829 Jean-Pierre  Includes private, independent and religious schools under the provisions of the “Dignity for All Students Act” The above referenced legislation would force the state’s religious and independent schools to comply with the provisions of Chapter 482 of the Laws of 2009, despite the clear and explicit […]

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Memorandum of Opposition Re: A4921-C Paulin / S5107-C Hoylman-Sigal  Relates to surrogacy programs and agreements The above referenced bill makes technical “corrections” to the dangerous and misguided law which legalized paid surrogacy in 2020. Nothing can correct such an inherently horrible public policy as commercial surrogacy. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation. Legal […]

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Memorandum of Support Re: S8661 Hoylman-Sigal  Relates to the establishment of a statewide supervised visitation initiative The above-referenced legislation would direct the office of children and family services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative. The initiative would include culturally sensitive services and require […]

The post Statewide Visitation Initiative first appeared on New York State Catholic Conference.

Memorandum of Support Re: A6929 McGowan / S7040 Weber Expands the criteria for a hate crime  The above referenced bill expands the criteria for a hate crime to include trespass committed at a house of worship. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly supports this legislation. Current geopolitical events, culture wars and societal divisions have […]

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Memorandum of Support Re: A9670 Dais Extends the effectiveness of certain provisions relating to the establishment of certain water charges for hospitals and charities in New York City The above-referenced bill would extend a reduction in water charges that has long been offered to hospitals and other charitable organizations in New York City. The New […]

The post Water Charges for Hospitals & Charities in NYC first appeared on New York State Catholic Conference.