Fortnight for Freedom in Massachusetts

The US bishops' Fortnight for Freedom campaign in defense of religious liberty begins tonight and culminates on the 4th of July "... this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty," according to the U.S. bishops. The fortnight will conclude with Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.   Dioceses across the nation are planning Masses, holy hours, Eucharistic processions, rallies, concerts, lectures, and other activities as part of the fortnight.   The bishops have also released a prayer for Religious Liberty   O God our Creator, from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.   You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ.   Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society.   We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.   Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome-for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us-this great land will always be "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."   We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.   The first two links are for activities in the Boston Archdiocese, the third for Worcester. As we get more information, we'll pass it along. What a great way to work against the anti-freedom of religion HHS mandate! Anne   http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Boston-CatholicTV_LiveTownHallMeeting_withCardinalSeanO-Malley_June25at8pm.pdf     http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/upload/Boston_FFF.pdf     http://www.worcesterdiocese.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.worcesterdiocese.org/respectlife     And pre-natal surgery at 17 weeks saves baby's life, http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/06/21/worlds-first-of-its-kind-surgery-saves-miami-girls-life