Did you know the inventor of the first lifesaving incubator was an American Catholic Nun?  Did you know the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous was an American Catholic Nun?  Did you know that one of the earliest researchers in DNA was an American Catholic Nun?  Did you know that before feminism and women’s leadership became popular and politically correct the only female university and college administrators or hospital executives in the United Sates were American Catholic Nuns?  Did you know American Catholic Nuns nursed soldiers on both sides of the Civil War as well as victims of the 1906 earthquake and 1916 influenza epidemic?  Did you know American Catholic Nuns were very active in the Civil Rights Movement and in the aftermath of the Katrina Hurricane?  If not, or even if you did, you may want to join us on Tuesday, May 29th as we travel together to the California Museum in Sacramento.
           
“Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America” has just a few days left before it closes on June 3rd.  Sponsored by the LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious).  This exhibit has been shown in nine cities across the country and this will be its last and final showing.

We’ve chartered a bus for the first 50 parishioners to sign-up to visit Women and Spirit. Discover the American Catholic Sisters quiet courage and huge contribution to U.S. History.  We will leave on Tuesday, May 29th at 8:45 am and return by 2:45 pm.  At a cost of $26 for bus, museum entrance and docent led tour.  Contact Sr. Joanne (925- 246-1125) for reservations as soon as possible.
           
Speaking of the LCWR, it has been little known or talked about until just recently; but in the past few weeks articles and opinion pieces about it have appeared just about everywhere, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle and The Contra Costa Times.  The Leadership Conference of Women Religious which represents 80% of the 57,000 Catholic sisters in the United States, was recently “stunned” by an eight page directive from the Vatican accusing them of “serious doctrinal problems” and “radical feminism”!  The Vatican has appointed an Archbishop Delegate and two bishops to oversee and approve the revision of their bylaws, to pre-approve their plans, programs, assemblies and publications as well as their links and relationship with affiliated organizations (such as Network, the very effective D.C. lobby of Catholic sisters).  The appointed delegate is Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle, Washington. 

The Vatican directive also accused the group leaders and directors of focusing too much on poverty and economic injustice while allegedly keeping “silent” on abortion and same sex marriage.  Several commentators have pointed out that a crucial focus in the inquiry appears to be the fact that many American sisters included in the Conference and in antipoverty and hospital work provided prominent support to the President’s health care reform.  The sister leaders reaffirmed their opposition to abortion but also claimed their right to speak on a “moral imperative” like health care just as the bishops had. If you wish to share your comments or support with Archbishop Sartain he may be contacted through his executive administrator at angela.kison@seattlearch.org.  If you wish to share comments or support with the Leadership Conference you may do so through their website which is http://www.lcwr.org.

Your Pastor,
Brian T. Joyce