Welcome to the CCO Newsletter 

Whether you have followed the Catholic Conference of Ohio since our inception in 1945, or are receiving this newsletter for the first time, we are excited to share a refreshed layout and new content. Action Alerts, legislative updates, and CCO updates continue to be the primary focus, but we have added the following:

• Special Feature - Highlights themes or topics in the Church
• Happening in Ohio - Relevant local events, news, or resources
• Let Us Pray - A moment to unite in prayer
   

Learn more about CCO: View our brochure or visit our website.

Action Alert

Support School Choice
As a decades-long champion of parental choice in education, the Catholic Conference of Ohio is urging legislators to support SB 11 (Enact the Parental Education Freedom Act) and allow every student in the state of Ohio the opportunity to receive an EdChoice Scholarship. 

Ask your Ohio Senator to support SB 11 to allow students of all backgrounds and income levels to attend Catholic schools and uphold the family as the central social institution of society.

CCO Statements

Bishops Letter on Abortion Ballot Initiative
The Catholic Bishops of Ohio have issued the following letter about the proposed amendment to Ohio's Constitution for the November 2023 ballot, which threatens life in its earliest stages. They strongly encourage Catholics and all people of good will in Ohio to work against including the proposed amendment for the November ballot and, if it appears on the ballot, vote against the amendment to prevent countless deaths of preborn, innocent children.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio will work with dioceses to coordinate a campaign to promote the dignity of life at every parish in Ohio. We will also collaborate with other Ohio organizations to defeat the amendment. More information and materials will become available as we mobilize to oppose the proposed amendment in the months ahead.

Legislative Updates & CCO Testimonies

SB11 - Enact the Parental Education Freedom Act
CCO will testify in support of this bill, which allows every student in the state of Ohio the opportunity to receive an EdChoice Scholarship. We have created an Action Alert to make it easy to ask your Ohio Senator to support SB11.
 

SB49 - Enact the Religious Expression Days "R.E.D." Act
CCO testified in support of this bill which would require each K-12 public school to adopt a policy providing students, teachers, and staff up to three days of religious expression leave per academic year. 
 

HB33 - House's Budget Bill
CCO testified in support of Governor DeWine's proposal for family income to be extended to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level in the Ed Choice Income-Based Scholarship Program, highlighting the need to address issues in school transportation as well as necessary increases to auxiliary service funds, nonpublic administrative cost reimbursement, funding levels in the categories of disabilities, and tax credit for giving to scholarship granting organizations. 

Further, the CCO supports the Governor's proposals for significant expansion of programs for women, children, and young families. This includes allowing more families access to Medicaid, eliminating sales tax on vital supplies, and housing assistance for pregnant and parenting women. The Catholic Conference of Ohio looks forward to advocating for these proposals in the months ahead, along with other programs that help poor and vulnerable Ohioans. 
 

HB34 - Excuse Breast-Feeding Mothers from Jury Service
CCO testified in support of the bill in accordance with our commitment to promote pro-family public policies. 

CCO Events

Catholic Conference of Ohio Advocacy Day - April 26
After several years away, we’re bringing Catholics from across Ohio to the Statehouse to meet with our elected officials and advocate for policies that respect life, focus on the poor and vulnerable, and recognize families as the central social institution of society. Our advocacy for the day will focus primarily on provisions in the proposed state budget. Lunch will be provided.

Register Here by April 10th >

Save the Dates
May 17, 2023 - School Choice Rally
October 6, 2023 - Ohio March for Life

CCO Updates

Welcome New Staff!
We are excited to welcome two new members to the Catholic Conference of Ohio staff: 

• Michelle Duffey started on February 16th as the Associate Director for Communications and Outreach. She earned a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Toledo and holds experience in both corporate and non-profit Catholic settings.
• Will Kuehnle began on March 21st as the Associate Director for Social Concerns. He earned a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame, spent the past few years in the Policy, Philosophy, and History doctoral program at The Ohio State University, and taught high school history and theology.

Special Feature

Halfway Through Lent
March 16th marked the midpoint of our 2023 Lenten journey. This is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on our practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Do you find yourself growing closer to God and imitating Jesus in how you see and treat others? 

Take this time to renew your dedication to penance and preparation. Consider trying one (or more) of the following acts in these last weeks of Lent: 

• Read and Reflect on the Daily Gospel
• Spend 30 Minutes with Jesus at Adoration
• Pray the Stations of the Cross
• Go to Confession

Happening in Ohio

Let Us Pray

During this Lenten season, let us fast and pray as we prepare to defeat the proposed abortion amendment to Ohio's Constitution: 
 

God our loving Father, 

grant wisdom to those who govern us, 

compassion and courage to those who work to defend human life, 

and safety and care to every human being. 

For you alone who formed us in our mothers' wombs, 

and who call us home to heaven, 

are God, for ever and ever. 

Amen. 
 

Source: USCCB - A Holy Hour for Life

Catholic Conference of Ohio
100 E. Broad St., Suite 600
Columbus, OH 43215
614.224.7147
www.ohiocathconf.org