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September/October 20101010-132; Vol 29, No. 7
Candidates Come Out for Catholic-sponsored Forum
Vicky Hartzler
Vicky Hartzler & Greg Cowan debate at the candidate forum.

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer and Libertarian challenger Chris Dwyer headed up a cast of candidates that took part in a forum sponsored by nine central Missouri parishes on Sunday, October 10.

Leutkemeyer and Dwyer fielded questions on unemployment, federal deficit spending, health care reform and abortion. They are vying to represent Missouri's Ninth Congressional district, which covers all of Northeastern Missouri as well as dipping south to Miller, Maries and Crawford counties.

Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler and Greg Cowan of the Constitution Party sought to make their case for election
in the Fourth Congressional district, which comprises 24 counties in central and western Missouri. Both are trying to unseat Congressman Ike Skelton who did not attend the forum. Jerry Beck of the Constitution Party urged support for his bid to become a U.S. Senator.

Candidates seeking election to the Missouri General Assembly were also on hand to take questions from John Landwehr, the mayor of Jefferson City. Democratic candidate Cyrus Dashtaki squared off with Republican candidate Mike Bernskoetter to discuss how to respond to Missouri's State Government fiscal crisis. They also discussed the Alternatives to Abortion (ATA) Program and whether the MO General Assembly should prohibit public-funding for research that destroys human embryos. Both are running to replace State Representative Mark Bruns in the 113 District.

Republican candidate Jay Barnes (running for election in the 114 District) was on hand to address the same issues, as well as Mike Kehoe who is running unopposed for the Missouri Senate.

The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) provided technical support for the event. 
Catholics "Let their Light Shine"
at 15th MCC Annual Assembly

Opening Session

Sunny skies and a crisp autumn breeze greeted over 500 Catholics who came to the State Capitol on Oct. 2 to attend the Missouri Catholic Conference Annual Assembly in Jefferson City.

Bishop Emeritus John Leibrecht of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau gave an inspirational keynote address on how we are called to be a witness to the Lord.  He said "We must not only be faithful witnesses to God, but to others in our lives."

Bishop Leibrecht told of an encounter with a couple in a nursing home.  Even though the husband no longer recognized loved ones, his wife faithfully came to sit with him for hours four or five times a week.  Why do you come so often when he doesn't know you, he asked. "But I know him, he is my husband", said the wife. Bishop Leibrecht noted she was a faithful witness to everyone in the nursing home,

Participants attended a variety of workshops during the day that covered topics such as abortion, immigration, tax issues, prayer, and capital punishment. 

Over 100 participants filled a workshop on Catholics and the Tea Party to hear ideas on how to respond to this new political movement.  Other popular workshops included one on sentencing issues where the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, William Ray Price Jr., gave an insightful approach on how to respond to offenders in our society. In another crowded workshop, Archbishop Robert Carlson gave an inspiring, personal and sometimes humorous view of the meaning of stewardship.

Approximately 50 young people participated in a youth track.  This included a workshop on the ten commandments for healthy social networking, a scavenger hunt in the capitol and a mock legislature where youth used the senate chamber to debate the same bills facing legislators.  After debating bills one young person said, "Loved it...my dream of being a Senator started here today."
In the closing session Catholics were recognized for putting their faith values to practice in their communities. The 2010 recipients of the Citizen Recognition Award are Beth Cobb from the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, George Fowler from the Diocese of Jefferson City, Carl Schimek from the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and the Vatterott Foundation Youth Board from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

A poignant part of the closing session came when Bishop Gaydos of the Diocese of Jefferson City gave an award to Marie Bruns who has faithfully served as a staff member of the MCC for over forty years. Part of his gift to her was a rosary that was given to him by Pope Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Robert Carlson gave the homily in the closing mass concelebrated by all the bishops of Missouri at historic St. Peter across from the State Capitol. The St. Peter choir provided vibrant music for the Mass.

The MCC staff thanks all the participants, presenters, and volunteers who made the 15th Annual Assembly a success. Next year's Annual Assembly is set for October 1, 2011.
 
In This Issue
Candidates Come Out for Catholic-sponsored Forum
Catholics "Let Their Light Shine" at 15th MCC Annual Assembly
Thousands Sign Up for MCC Citizens' Network
"Same-sex" Marriage Case to be Argued in Federal Appellate Court
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Thousands Sign Up For MCC Citizens' Network
Thousands of Catholics are joining the MCC Citizens' Network this fall as part of an effort underway in parishes across Missouri. The idea is to beef up the network so Catholics will have a stronger voice in the halls of the State Capitol when the Missouri General Assembly convenes in early January.

St. Joseph in Palmyra, a small rural parish located north of Hannibal, signed up 52 new network members. Tiny St. Francis Assisi parish in Nixa (outside of Springfield) has only 125 households, but it managed to sign up 59 network members.  St. Joseph, Cottleville in St. Charles County delivered in a big way, signing up 335 new members, while Coronation of Our Lady in Grandview added 109 new members to the MCC Citizens' Network.

Most of those signing up are providing their e-mail address, which will allow the MCC to contact them on a moment's notice when key votes are pending in the Missouri General Assembly or in Congress.  Each new network member is receiving a welcome packet that includes a glossary of legislative terms, a chart outlining the path by which a bill becomes a Missouri law and an inspirational primer "Ten Beatitudes for Catholic Advocates."

Network members also receive regular e-mail updates offering thoughtful analysis of issues grounded in the principles of Catholic teaching.  It is all part of the MCC's effort to give Catholics an alternative to the partisan name-calling and superficial commentary featured on so many television news shows.

If you know Catholics who want to join the MCC Citizens' Network, tell them they don't have to wait for their parish to conduct a registration drive. Anyone can join by visiting the MCC's website at www.MOcatholic.org or by phone at 573.635.7239. We look forward to working with you!
"Same-sex" Marriage Case to be Argued in Federal Appellate Court
In December, a California federal appeals court will hear oral arguments in the "same-sex marriage" case (Perry v. Schwartzenegger) that is expected to wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.  In 2008, Californians passed Proposition 8, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.  Opponents filed suit, and the trial judge ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional.  The 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals will now consider the case.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has joined a number of other organizations, including thirteen state attorneys general, in filing "friend of the court" briefs in support of traditional marriage.  The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) will address the issue of marriage in the upcoming quarterly insert in your diocesan newspaper, MCC Messenger.