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Archives NYS Catholics gather for lobby day in Albany

April 2, 2014

By Colleen Miner
Staff writer

Albany – Bishop Terry R. LaValley led a contingent from the Diocese of Ogdensburg, joining more than 1,000 individuals from all the Catholic dioceses of New York State in Albany for the annual Catholics at the Capitol March 19.

The event is sponsored by the New York State Catholic Conference, whose members coordinate the day.
The annual public policy day allows Catholics to advocate for important legislative issues at the State Capitol offices. Each year there are five issues selected by the NYS Catholic Conference. This year’s issues were:
• Pro-Woman, Pro-Life (Support pregnant women and oppose abortion expansion)
•Preserving Catholic Schools (Supporting an Education Investment Tax Credit)
• Funding for Vulnerable New Yorkers (Programs that serve the mentally ill, developmentally disabled and chemically addicted.)
• Humane Treatment for Incarcerated Individuals (the elderly, infirm or mentally ill)
• Justice for Farmworkers (Support Fair Labor Practices Act.

The day began with a presentation by Kathleen Gallagher, Director of Pro-Life Activities for the conference.
In the keynote “Faithful Citizenship and the ‘Power of One.’”  Gallagher spoke about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship document.

“Participation in politics is a response to our baptismal call and a moral obligation” said Gallagher.
Noting that it’s not always easy, two skits demonstrated how to approach “Senator E. Vasive” and “Senator D. Septive.”

Gallagher spoke of the importance of voting and becoming educated on the issues. Quoting from scripture, she said, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

She shared a photo of the Jesus Action Figure on her desk and urged “Do something with your faith - put it into action...Join the Catholic Action Network at www.nyscatholic.org and “like” the NYS Catholic Conference on Facebook.”

Afternoon events
The afternoon session began with lunch, followed by a prayer rally hosted by the Knights of Columbus in the convention hall.

After praying the rosary, the Knights led a procession to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan,  Archbishop of New York was the main celebrant of the 1:30 Mass.

Cardinal Dolan thanked the elected officials in attendance and noted that it is a noble vocation.

He began his homily reminding of the one year anniversary of Pope Francis’ installation and sharing that on  April 10, a new Bishop of Albany will be installed (Msgr. Edward Bernard Sharfenberger) and thanked Bishop Hubbard for his years of service.

Since it was the Feast of St. Joseph, Cardinal Dolan spoke about the fact that St. Joseph had many of the same values as us.

“He was a faithful Jew, who freely exercised his religion. He was a faithful husband and father and believed that marriage and family were sacred just as we believe in the protection of marriage. He embraced a woman in trouble, pregnant, out of wedlock and we do the same, helping the vulnerable and at risk.

“St. Joseph had a burning desire to protect the baby in the womb just as we bring our respect life concerns to the capitol. The holy family was homeless, without shelter. We are sensitive to those without a home, with no one to take them in. The holy family were immigrants, refugees who left their homeland to flee to Egypt for safety. He was a worker, a carpenter, just as we understand the needs of those without work and the rights of business people.

Cardinal Dolan said that a year ago, he was at the Pope’s installation and remembers his homily when the Holy Father said to be tender with one another. “And we must remember that - to be tender with one another,” he said.

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