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Fortnight for Freedom • June 21-July 4
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s we move toward the 2012 presidential election, it is natural that special attention be given to the issues making waves in the political arena. This being said, the Fortnight for Freedom is an opportune time to prepare oneself for the race this coming November - through its teaching and witness to religious liberty.
For those who may not be familiar, the Fortnight for Freedom is a USCCB led intiative, spanning from June 21 to July 4, in which dioceses and parishes from across the country schedule events intended to both educate and inform the public of issues currently impacting religious rights and liberties. It is a time of prayer, education, and action in support of religious freedom.
In conjunction with the USCCB’s Fortnight for Freedom Initiative, Relevant Radio is excited to offer our listeners a number of special programs between June 21 and July 4. Among them are: The Fortnight Report. Each weekday at 4:30pm (Central) during the Fortnight, we will present a special half-hour show hosted by Drew Mariani. The purpose of this live show is to create awareness of the USCCB Fortnight for Freedom initiative, give voice to our bishops, showcase Fortnight events and activities across the country and inform listeners about the critical issues pertaining to religious freedom, including latebreaking developments in Washington. The centerpiece of this program will be interviews with various bishops throughout the country each day. Already scheduled to appear are The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt - Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’Malley - Archbishop of Boston, and The Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon - Bishop of Joliet. The Fortnight: A Town Hall Discussion. In a partnership with ClearVoiceTM and CatholicTV® of the Archdiocese of Boston, on Monday night, June 25th from 7pm to 8pm (Central) Relevant Radio will present a LIVE, town-hall style panel discussion which will give a Catholic perspective on the threats to religious liberty and why the HHS mandate accommodation is not sufficient for Catholic institutions. Panelists will include His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’Malley – Archbishop of Boston; Dr. Angela Franks Director of the Theological Institute of the
New Evangelization at St. John’s Seminary, whose doctoral dissertation was on the eugenics aspect of Planned Parenthood; and Scot Landry - Cabinet Secretary in the Archdiocese of Boston. The moderator of the event is John Monahan, a former network news reporter. Questions will be taken from an in-studio audience of young adults. Relevant Radio listeners can also participate by submitting questions via Twitter: @CatholicTV, or email Fortnight4Freedom@CatholicTV.org. Fortnight for Freedom Mass. On Thursday night, June 28th, from 8pm to 9pm (Central) Relevant Radio will present a special Mass from the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul in Minnesota. Concelebrants for this Mass—which will also be a celebration of the Patronal Feast Day of this local Church as well as the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul—will be Archbishop John C. Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piché of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The Mass will invoke the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul to help us strive to defend the first freedoms of our great nation. For more details on the Fortnight for Freedom and our special coverage, visit www.relevantradio.com and enter keyword: Freedom.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Patroness of the Americas
Pray for Us
A PRAYER FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Almighty God, Father of all nations, For freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1). We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties; By your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land. We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer taken from “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty – A Statement on Religious Liberty” by the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty