Weekly Collection - the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little ...

BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER
June 14, 2012
Dear brothers and sisters,
On June 1, we began the observance of A Month of Prayer for
Religious Freedom in the Archdiocese of San Antonio under
the leadership of Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller. The
Month is actually 34 days of prayer, study, catechesis, and action, climaxed by the 14-day
“Fortnight for Freedom” which the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has encouraged
dioceses and Catholic institutions to observe from the 22 nd of June through the 4 th of
July.
This past April 12, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a document
titled Our First, Most Cherished Liberty in which they detail concerns over serious threats to our religious
freedom and freedom of conscience. In addition to various threats to our way of life over
the past several years, our freedom of religion and freedom of conscience are currently threatened
by the “H.H.S. Mandate” which –unless it is rescinded by the government or declared void by the Supreme
Court– will have serious consequences to our life as Catholics and Americans. The immediate
challenge we face as the Body of Christ is that of defending our first, most cherished liberty, that
freedom of religion and of conscience which are at the heart of the founding of this great nation
and at the heart of what we celebrate every 4 th of July.
As the people of God, we must pray! And we must learn what is being sought and fought. Let us
pray to be made one in heart and mind, bishops and people, together defending our right to exercise
the religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment which states: “Congress shall make no
law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The Archbishop is inviting each of us to do the following:
1. Pray and fast! You will find the suggested prayer on a new web page we have developed.
Print it and pray it! Pray daily –alone, with your family, with your community, and in your parishes
and schools for the next 34 days– especially during the Novena of Prayer for Religious Freedom
(June 22-30), leading up to our Let Religious Freedom Ring prayer event on Sunday, July 1. We
are also urged to consider fasting for the success of our efforts and the protection of our liberties.
2. Visit our new freedom of religion web page! Click on this link (Freedom of Religion Website)
and you will be able to pray in Spanish and English for the protection of religious freedom; view
the calendar of events for A Month of Prayer for Religious Freedom; visit the official website for the
movie For Greater Glory; read a letter from Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller and Bishop Oscar
Cantú; go to the USCCB link for Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty of
the Ad Hoc Committee of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) which we
highly recommend you read; study papal and other church documents; learn about The Participation
of Catholics in Political Life and Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium; and
find additional resources for prayer, study, catechesis, and public action.