LEGISLATIVE NETWORK

Primary Purpose:
To affect legislative action at both the State and Federal levels.

Group activities
Dozens of St. Patrick's parishioners are involved in the Legislative Network, which works in conjunction wht the central office of the Archdiocese and other parishes to affect local, state and federal legislation related to social concerns issues, including pro-life activities. We communicate by phone or letter with representatives on relevant bills before the legislators. Once a year (on President's Day) we attend Lobby Night in Annapolis.

For further information please contact:
John Lyons (301) 570-5577

CATHOLICS IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE -
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE: In our Catholic tradition, citizenship is a virtue and participation in the political process is an obligation. As Catholics, we are charged with transforming our culture for the glory of God. This has never been more true than today with the Archdiocesan Stewardship Campaign's emphasis on engaging the fullness of our faith and achieving our joyful return to the Lord. Cardinal McCarrick and the other Maryland-serving bishops who set the agenda and establish the positions of the Maryland Catholic Conference ("MCC") on all legislative issues recently encouraged Maryland Catholics to become more active in the "public square" on critical issues important to all of us as Catholics. These issues include the fundamental right to life, support for parochial school education, and access to food, housing, employment and health care for the neediest and most vulnerable members of our community. When we speak up for the voiceless, our voices need to be heard. A small percentage of citizens set the direction in which our culture is heading. National surveys tell us that only 50% of all eligible voters are registered to vote. Of these, only 50% actually take the time to vote in general elections and a smaller percentage vote in the crucial primary elections that often determine the winning candidate. Your contact information will make it easier for members of the Network from St. Patrick's to disseminate legislative information from the Archdiocese and MCC to you on a timely basis. It will also enable you more easily to act on that information by contacting your elected officials electronically. Your participation and provision of contact information is encouraged but purely voluntary. Your contact information, including your e-mail address, will not be disclosed to anyone beyond St. Patrick's authorized representatives - not even to other members of St. Patrick's Legislative Network - without your prior consent. At a recent meeting, the director of the MCC aptly summarized how Catholics should engage the political process, stating that we should be principled without being ideological, political without being partisan, civil without being soft, and involved without being used. Your vote and your involvement can change things. Your faithful citizenship can help build a "Culture of Life" that respects human life, human rights and the dignity of every person created in the image and likeness of God.

To obtain more information on the Church's position, see the following link to the Maryland Catholic Conference: