Why the name?

"Holy Conversation" does sound like an exceptionally pious name, even for a parish blog. And we can't guarantee that everything here will meet the high standard the name implies. But the phrase comes from the story of our patron saint, and we think it fits. Here's why.

St. Scholastica was a sixth-century abbess who, according to the Dialogues of Pope Gregory I, used to meet once a year with her brother, St. Benedict. On the last occasion they were together, they spent their time "satisfying each other's hunger for holy conversation about the spiritual life."

We hope that this blog can become a place where the members of our parish can find a taste of the companionship and conversation that Scholastica and Benedict enjoyed so much. Welcome!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Religious Liberty Resources


     The controversy that has arisen regarding the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision not to exempt many Catholic institutions from its mandate that health insurance plans provide contraceptive services deserves serious attention.  Here are some resources for people who would like to sort it out.
      The U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty express their objection to the mandate in the document “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty.”  This statement and other resources can be found  at the bishops’ website here: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/.
      The journal Commonweal, published by lay Catholics and leaning liberal, has devoted a recent issue to perspectives on the controversy.  They are available at: http://commonwealmagazine.org/bishops-religious-liberty
      Boston College’s “Church in the 21st Century” initiative includes a webcast archive.  “Is Religious Liberty Under Threat in America?” is a recent addition.  This 44 minute panel  discussion took place on April 18, and is balanced and reasoned, although some background from the sources above may be helpful first.  To find the video, go to http://www.bc.edu/church21/ and click “C21 Webcasts on Demand.”  Look under “The Catholic Intellectual Tradition.”

Posted by: Andrew Bechman

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