April Newsletter 

Welcome to the CCO Newsletter. We are excited to share the latest alerts, legislative news, updates, and more.
 

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

Legislative Updates & CCO Testimonies

HB33 - House's Budget Bill
The House version of the State budget, HB33, increases eligibility for an EdChoice Scholarship to 450% of the federal poverty level. A family of four with a household income of up to $135,000 or a family of six with a household income of $181,260 would be eligible for an EdChoice Scholarship. This represents a substantial increase to the current eligibility of 250% of the federal poverty level. Importantly for the Catholic school community, the House’s budget also includes increases in Auxiliary Services and Administrative Cost Reimbursement.   
 

SB11 - Parental Education Freedom Act
As the Senate soon considers its version of the State budget, the CCO still advocates for SB11 to pass as a standalone bill or to include its provisions in the budget. The bill would permit every Ohio student the opportunity to receive an EdChoice Scholarship, regardless of income or zip code. Universal access to an EdChoice Scholarship reduces barriers for disadvantaged families to navigate a bureaucratic system and puts Ohio families first in allowing them to choose the best education for their children. Take Action and let your Ohio Senator know that you support SB 11.

HB6 - Save Women's Sports Act & HB68 - Ohio Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of HB6 that would ensure fairness in sports by requiring schools to designate separate teams for participants according to their biological sex, citing alignment with the Church’s teaching about the equality of men and women and the need to create equitable opportunities for biological females to compete in sports. CCO also supported HB68, the Enact Ohio Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, regarding gender transition services for minors, acknowledging the call to honor and cherish all we receive as a gift from God, including our bodies. When testifying for both bills, the Conference expressed solidarity and the need for personal accompaniment of those experiencing gender dysphoria and affirmed that harassment or unjust discrimination is unequivocally wrong.

HB79 - Permit Electric Distribution Utility
CCO testified in support of HB79 this week which would permit electric distribution utilities to establish energy efficiency and demand reduction portfolios as, in good stewardship of God's creation, the Church calls for an eye towards energy efficiency. In addition, this legislation would provide preferential options for low-income households. 

CCO Updates

We're Hiring: Associate Director of Education
The Associate Director of Education provides leadership and advocacy for the Conference’s activities related to educational issues, particularly those affecting Catholic school communities. They monitor, evaluate, and propose responses to legislative and public policy issues and interpret educational laws, rules, and policy proposals for their impact on Catholic schools, students, families, and educators. This position also convenes regular meetings for diocesan superintendents of schools and gathers other program directors or diocesan staff, as needed.

View Full Job Description >

Larry Keough to Retire at the End of May

Larry Keough, Associate Director for Education, has announced he will retire on May 31, 2023. Larry has been instrumental in advocating for Catholic schools and students in Ohio for the past fifteen years. He has also represented Catholic cemeteries at the Statehouse. Prior to joining the Catholic Conference of Ohio, Larry was the legislative advocate for Catholic schools and director of the accreditation program for the Florida Catholic Conference from 1997-2008. We are thankful for Larry's dedication to the Church, our schools, students, and parents and we wish him all the best in his retirement.

Ohio Bishops Met with Legislative Leaders
The bishops of Ohio met with legislative leaders on March 31 to discuss issues related to protecting and promoting life at every stage of development, Catholic education, and supporting Ohioans in need. Meetings were held with Governor Mike DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman, House Speaker Jason Stephens, and Minority Leaders Allison Russo and Nickie Antonio.

View Pictures from the Meetings >

Special Feature

Divine Mercy

On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates the Sunday of Divine Mercy where we contemplate the fullness of the Paschal Mystery and the merciful love of God. Throughout Scripture, from the beginning of creation to the life, death, and Resurrection of his Son, Jesus, God is revealed as love itself. God desires nothing more than to forgive our sins and offer us His mercy.

Jesus's message of His inconceivable mercy is needed just as much today as it was when Jesus appeared to St. Faustina Kowalksa in the 20th century. Take a moment to reflect upon His endless mercy for you and all souls in need of forgiveness. How can we uphold the sanctity and inherent dignity of every human life from conception to natural death? No sin is unforgiveable, and no sinner is beyond redemption. We are all in need of God’s mercy. Jesus, we trust in You. 

Let Us Pray

A Prayer for Mercy

Loving God, together we pray to walk in faith and charity,
Ever trusting in your mercy:
You always wait for us, love us. You have pardoned us with your Blood,
And pardon us every time we go to you to ask for forgiveness.
Let us be renewed by your mercy.
Let us accept the grace of Christ’s Resurrection. Let us be loved by Jesus.
Let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too.
Let us become missionary disciples of this mercy,
Channels through which your Holy Spirit
can water the earth, protect all life and all creation,
and make justice, peace, life and mercy flourish. 

Amen.
 

Catholic Conference of Ohio
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Columbus, OH 43215
614.224.7147
www.ohiocathconf.org