March Newsletter 

The latest from CCO - action alerts, legislative news, updates, and more.

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

Catholics at the Capitol 2024
Tuesday, April 9th, starting at 9:15 am 

The Catholic Conference of Ohio is bringing Catholics from across Ohio to the Statehouse to meet with 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.
 

The event is free to attend, and lunch will be provided. There are also opportunities to attend Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral and tour the Museum of Catholic Art & History.
 

Click here for details and register by April 1st >  

Legislative Update

Governor DeWine Announces $5 Million in Funding to Improve Maternal and Infant Health
The Catholic Conference of Ohio commends Governor Mike DeWine for his ongoing support for women and children. The Ohio Department of Health, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, has awarded $5 million to 19 community- and faith-based organizations to improve supports to pregnant women and newly-parenting families. 

The CCO continues to advocate for more initiatives, like this increased funding, to ensure women receive the resources needed to choose life and provide for their children. 

Building a Culture of Life in Ohio

New Resource:
Culture of Life Flyer
After the tragic passage of Issue 1 in November 2023, we must remember that Catholics can transform the culture and create a state where abortion becomes unthinkable. This flyer outlines a pathway to build a culture of life. 

Download and share the flyer >
(Flyer in Spanish >)

Advocacy:
Child Tax Credit
The Catholic Conference of Ohio sent letters to Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator J.D. Vance to encourage their support of the Child Tax Credit provisions in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. Click the following links below to read the letters: 
Letter to Senator Brown >
Letter to Senator Vance >
 

Action Alert:
Abolish the Death Penalty
Make your voice heard and urge your state legislators to support Senate Bill 101 and House Bill 259 to abolish the death penalty in Ohio. We cannot solve violence with more violence, or obtain justice via the state of Ohio directly and intentionally killing a defenseless human life.

Use the following action alerts to easily send a message:

• Action Alert for SB 101 - Contact Your Senator
• Action Alert for HB 259 - Contact Your Representative
   

Prayer:
For the End of Abortion and Protection of Women and Pre-Born Children
The USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer for the end of abortion and the protection of women and preborn children. The United States Supreme Court will begin hearings later this month on a case that has the potential to make a major impact in the widespread accessibility of chemical abortion. You are invited to pray the following prayer beginning on March 25, the eve of the oral arguments, and the anniversary of St. John Paul II’s landmark, pro-life encyclical, The Gospel of Life (Evangelium vitae). In particular, invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, Defender of Life with this prayer (en español):

Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child. We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God’s most precious gift of life. Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life —especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things. Amen.

Catholics are asked to offer this prayer daily, from March 25 through June, when a decision is expected. Online and print versions of the prayer can be found at www.respectlife.org/prayer-to-st-joseph. Additional background information and other resources can be found online at: www.usccb.org/prolife/nationwide-invitation-prayer

Reminders

Scholarship Granting Organizations
There is Still Time to Receive a Tax Credit for Supporting Catholic Education

Individual taxpayers can claim a credit for monetary donations to an eligible scholarship granting organization (SGO) – up to $750 per person, or $1,500 if married and filing jointly. This allows YOU to decide how YOUR Ohio tax dollars are utilized. 

A donation to a diocesan SGO creates much-needed scholarships for students most in need seeking to attend a K-12 Catholic school.

DONATE before filing your taxes on April 15 to receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your 2023 income tax liability.

Ohio Catholic School SGO's:

• Archdiocese of Cincinnati 
• Diocese of Cleveland
• Diocese of Columbus
• Diocese of Steubenville
• Diocese of Toledo
• Diocese of Youngstown

EdChoice Expansion Scholarships
The Ohio EdChoice Expansion Scholarship program now offers ALL Ohio students the opportunity for a scholarship to attend a Catholic school! 

A family of four making $140,400 per year or less is eligible for a full scholarship for each child in the amount of $6,166 (K-8) and $8,408 (grades 9-12). Families above that income level are eligible for scholarships awarded on a sliding scale based on income and household size, with no less than $650 awarded per child.

Visit ohiocathconf.org/edchoice to learn how EdChoice scholarships can help you send your child to a Catholic school near you. Applications are now open for the 2024-2025 school year!

Special Feature

Preparing for Holy Week 

Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday, concluding with the Easter Vigil, is the holiest week of the liturgical year. It celebrates the Paschal Mystery, the passion and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, His victorious resurrection, His triumph over sin and death, and His glorification by God the Father. How can we, as Catholics, fully enter-in to Jesus' sacrifice and victory?

Holy Week contains some of the most reverent and symbolic liturgies of the year. Most Catholics have attended Mass on Palm Sunday, commemorated the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, and Venerated the Cross on Good Friday. This year, try to enter-in with an open heart and see with fresh eyes, placing yourself next to Jesus. Also, consider attending your diocesan Chrism Mass or going to the Easter Vigil and let your senses take you deeper into the liturgy. 

For more ideas on how to be more intentional this Holy Week, check out
A Catholic Guide to Holy Week by Dynamic Catholic >

Let Us Pray

Lenten Prayer for Sundays
Source: Dynamic Catholic

Heavenly Father,

As I enter another week of my Lenten journey, guide me to the path that leads to you. Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength, and peace as I strive to become the-best-version-of-myself, honestly admitting my shortcomings and sins. As I renew my resolve each day to become a better person, let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart. Give me rest in you. Help me to accept others, showing them your great love instead of casting judgment. Stay with me through the busy days this week and remind me that when I need comfort, solitude, wisdom, or guidance, I can always turn to you. Help me develop discipline and generosity through fasting and almsgiving, and come closer to you through prayer this Lent. 

In your name I pray,

Amen.