“Religious Freedom Week 2019: Strength in Hope,” sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will take place June 22-29 to promote the importance of preserving the essential right of religious freedom, for now and the future, for Catholics and for those of all faiths.
The week begins with the Feast of Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More, ends with the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, and includes the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
The chairman of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., encourages Catholics to pray and act in support of religious liberty at home and abroad during the week.
The theme for this year, “Strength in Hope,” is taken from the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity: “Among the trials of this life they find strength in hope, convinced that ‘the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us’ (Rom 8:18)” (“Apostolicam actuositatem,” 4).
Daily prayer and reflection resources for each day of Religious Freedom Week are available (in English and Spanish) at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek, and a short video on the theme of religious freedom may be viewed at www.usccb.org/freedom.
— Joseph Purello
BELMONT — Members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta participated in the annual blessing of the residents of Holy Angels June 1.
Father Jeff Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Indian Land, S.C., performed the blessing of the residents of Holy Angels in the residential facility established by the Sisters of Mercy.
Members of the Order of Malta are devoted supporters of Holy Angels, which provides specialized, around-the-clock care for children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions.
Holy Angels is an environment that fosters loving and compassionate care and opportunities for dignified living and innovative learning programs for their residents who are differently abled.
For more information on how you can assist them, go online to www.holyangelsnc.org.
— Photos provided by Mercy Sister Nancy Nance
