The Archdiocese of St. Louis has declared September 28-29 Immigrant Sunday and Archbishop Carlson is featured in a new video that acknowledges the complexity of reforming the nation's immigration laws but still calls on Catholics to a avoid division and embrace all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Take a moment to view the Archbishop's message.

While thousands gathered in St. Peter's square with the Pope on Saturday, September 7th, an untold number of others joined in the effort from afar, fasting and praying for God to bring peace in Syria and the Middle East. The last such prayer vigil was in 2003, just before the Iraq invasion, which the Vatican opposed.  

The Swiss Guard paraded through the crowd with an icon of the Salus Populi Romani, the Queen of Peace and Protectress of the Roman people. The crowd prayed the rosary, priests heard confessions, and there was a Eucharistic celebration. The service lasted five hours.

In a victory for the pro-life cause, the Iowa Board of Medicine, by an 8-2 margin, recently voted to ban telemedicine abortions there. Citing safety concerns, the Board reversed what a previous board had approved in 2011. Sue Thayer, a former Iowa Planned Parenthood worker and now pro-life activist, applauded the decision saying, "common sense prevailed." Ms. Thayer testified in Missouri last year in support of Missouri HB 400, sponsored by Rep. Jeannie Riddle (R-Mokane) that bans telemedicine abortions from being performed here. This summer, Governor Nixon allowed the bill to go into law rather than veto the measure. 

According to ancient lore, St. Raymond's mother died while giving birth to him by Caesarean section. For this reason St. Raymond is the patron saint of unborn babies, newborns, and expectant mothers. The St. Raymond's Society is dedicated to supporting mothers  who choose life; giving special attention to long term support after the child is born. In this workshop, businessmen Mike Hentges and Steve Smith will tell their story of forming a local St. Raymond's Society in Jefferson City. This endeavor, which grew out of the community concern, has become an organization fulfilling its mission to partner with mothers, provide resources and promote self-sufficiency. Come hear this inspiring story!

A committee formed by the Missouri House of Representatives to obtain citizen input on Medicaid has concluded that the program should be reformed and expanded. The 52 member House Citizens and Legislators Working Group on Medicaid Eligibility and Reform held meetings throughout the state this summer. The Committee chairman, State Rep. Noel Torpey (R-Independence), said the report should help to move Medicaid legislation forward in next year's session.

Expanding Medicaid has come to the forefront in state legislatures in response to a new federal initiative that offers greater federal matching dollars to cover more working parents and lower income single individuals.

The input received from citizens appears to vindicate the approach taken by State Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City), who sponsored legislation this past session that included both reform elements and some expansion of Medicaid to include more working parents. The Missouri Catholic Conference supported Rep. Barnes' HB 700, stating in committee testimony that the bill affirmed two basic principles of Catholic teaching: the need for personal responsibility and care of one's family; and the duty to help those who cannot help themselves.