News Release: Catholic Legislative Day Set for April 27 in Lansing

(LANSING)—Michigan Catholic Conference announced today it will host with the Catholic dioceses of Michigan Catholic Legislative Day and Student Catholic Legislative Day Wednesday, April 27 in Lansing at the Cathedral of St. Mary. Catholic Legislative Day is an opportunity for Michigan Catholics to witness the Church’s role in the democratic process and to participate in legislative advocacy. The day will include keynote speakers, a legislator question and answer session, issue briefings by Michigan Catholic Conference staff and the opportunity for participants to visit one-on-one with their state legislators.

“For the last six years Catholics from across the state have come together for Catholic Legislative Day to witness first-hand state government and the public policy role of the Catholic Church,” said Sister Monica Kostielney, R.S.M., Michigan Catholic Conference President and C.E.O. “The Michigan Catholic Conference and the Catholic dioceses of Michigan are pleased to present this year an engaging, informative and edifying day of legislative advocacy.”

In accordance with the mandate set forth by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) statement on faithful citizenship, participants of Catholic Legislative Day will be briefed on the role of Catholic involvement in the democratic process and the critical issues with which to become familiar.

Michigan Catholic Conference is pleased to welcome John L. Carr as keynote speaker for the day. Mr. Carr has served for over 10 years as Director of the USCCB Department of Social Development and World Peace, where he assists the bishops in sharing and applying Catholic social teaching, advocating on the moral dimensions of key domestic and international issues, and building the Catholic community’s capacity to act on social missions.

Also to participate in Catholic Legislative Day is state representative Brian Palmer, chairman of the House Education Committee and fellow Catholic. Representative Palmer will conduct a half-hour question and answer session with the adult participants of Catholic Legislative Day.

Student Catholic Legislative Day is oriented toward high school-age students and will be conducted separate from Catholic Legislative Day. Rev. Joe Krupp, chaplain at Lansing Catholic Central High School, will serve as keynote speaker. Students will also participate in engaging small group activities that will facilitate understanding of how Catholic social teaching can help shape modern day public policy issues.

A downloadable registration form, Catholic Legislative Day agenda, and diocesan contacts are available on the Michigan Catholic Conference’s Web site at www.micatholic.org.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

-- 30 --