We've been featuring some of Bishop Chris Coyne's new Blinks, "Everything You Wanted to Know About the Liturgy (but were afraid to ask)", but we decided to premiere this one on our blog!
We all slip in late to Mass occasionally, and sometimes we even feel the itch to leave early (like right after Communion). So let's hear what Bishop Coyne has to say about arriving late and leaving early to Mass.
It's so important that, as Catholics, we remain engaged in the public square and do our part to promote the Gospel outside of our parishes and families. This doesn't mean forcing our beliefs on others; it means letting our gospel-informed voices be heard and it means promoting the principles of human dignity that the gospels teach us.
That's why the U.S. bishops have called a second Fortnight for Freedom. In addition to the August 1st deadline for Catholic organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, we also await a Supreme Court ruling on marriage this June, and meaningful immigration reform as well as humanitarian services. These are all areas in which Catholics have a stake and about which Catholics must make their positions known. Starting on June 21st, the bishops are calling for Catholics to participate in a two week period of prayer and action to build awareness about potential religious freedom violations and the right place of religion in the public square.
Throughout these two weeks, CatholicTV will have special programming for the Fortnight for Freedom, including the Opening Mass on 6/21 LIVE at 7pm ET (watch on www.CatholicTV.com), daily reflections from Father Reed, following the 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Closing Mass on Independence Day at 12pm ET.
Last year we held a town hall forum hosted by Cardinal Seán O'Malley, with a panel comprising Kim Daniels, JD, a religious liberty attorney, Dr. Angela Franks, co-host of Christian Witness, and John Garvey, JD, President of The Catholic University of America. Most of the concerns raised and questions asked last year are still relevant. You can watch the whole thing right here:
