January Newsletter 

The latest from CCO - EdChoice Scholarships Video, Legislative Update, USCCB Statements, Upcoming Events, Special Feature: Legislative Process, and Prayer.

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

EdChoice Scholarships: Making Catholic Education Affordable for All Families 
 

Happy Catholic Schools Week! (Jan. 26 – Feb. 1)

As we celebrate Catholic schools, we also give thanks for EdChoice scholarships, which allow parents to select a school which best suits their child's needs. Did you know most Ohio families now qualify for a full EdChoice Expansion Scholarship of $6,166 for elementary and $8,408 for high school? 

Click the video below to see how Ohio Catholic schools and EdChoice scholarships are making a difference in the lives of Ohio families. Check out Frequently Asked Questions and Did You Know? to learn more about EdChoice scholarships and Ohio Catholic schools.
 

Learn more about EdChoice scholarship options and find a participating Catholic school near you:

Visit ohiocathconf.org/edchoice today >

Legislative Update 

Legislation Introduced for No State-Funded Death
CCO was honored to speak at a press conference on January 28 to introduce bipartisan and bicameral legislation to prohibit state funding that intentionally terminates human life at any stage and circumstance in Ohio. Both the Senate and House of Representatives bills reinforce current law banning state funding for abortion, abolish the death penalty, and expand protections against assisted suicide by linking these prohibitions together. An official bill number will be forthcoming.

Please click here to send a thank-you message to the lead sponsors of these bills for their leadership on this first-of-its-kind legislation:

• Representative Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon)
• Representative Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland)
• Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City)
• Senator Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)

Learn more and watch the press conference >

SB 44 - Receipt of Both EdChoice/Cleveland and Jon Peterson/Autism Scholarships 
Senator Sandra O'Brien (R-Ashtabula) introduced Senate Bill 44 to allow Ohio students attending a chartered non-public school to take both a special needs scholarship and an EdChoice scholarship simultaneously. Currently, students who qualify for either an autism or Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) scholarship may only receive that scholarship, and they are not eligible to also receive an EdChoice scholarship. The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports this legislation. 

USCCB Statements on Executive Orders 

Immigration:
The Catholic Church in the United States has a long history of embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move, as mandated by the Bible. Please see and share the following statements from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on recent executive orders related to immigration. The most recent statement clarifies the Church’s longtime partnership with the federal government to help resettle refugees – those who have been verified to be fleeing violence or persecution and have been vetted for over a year by U.S. authorities and international organizations in a third country. Afghan and Iraqi nationals who assisted U.S. troops in those countries have also qualified for the U.S. refugee program in recent years. The USCCB spends more money than it receives to help these individuals and families start anew in the United States.   

USCCB Statement on its Work with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (Jan. 26)
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following statement on its long-time partnership with the federal government to serve refugees.
Read the statement >

"Human Dignity is Not Dependent on a Person's Citizenship or Immigration Status" (Jan. 23)
Bishop Mark J. Seitz (USCCB), Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM (CHA), and Kerry Alys Robinson (CCUSA) have issued a statement in response to action taken by the Trump Administration rescinding guidance related to "protected areas" in immigration enforcement.
Read the statement >

Executive Actions Will Subject Vulnerable Families and Children to Grave Danger (Jan. 22)
Following an earlier statement by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, issued a statement highlighting the dignity of human life, regardless of immigration status, and urging just and merciful solutions for an orderly immigration system that furthers the common good.
Read the statement >
 

Helping Young People & Protecting Preborn Children:
In addition to the statements issued in response to executive orders related to immigration, the USCCB also issued statements welcoming executive orders that uphold the human dignity of young people experiencing gender dysphoria and preborn children. Bishop Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo serves as chairman of the USCCB Committee for Pro-Life Activities.

“Helping young people accept their bodies and their vocation as women and men is the true path of freedom and happiness,” (Jan. 29)
Bishop Barron offered a statement in response to the Executive Order signed by President Trump prohibiting the promotion and federal funding of procedures that, based on a false understanding of human nature, attempt to change a child’s sex. 
Read the statement >
 

Bishop Thomas Welcomes Restoration of Protections for Preborn Children (Jan. 26)
“It is important and encouraging to see the United States again taking leadership in affirming the right to life and fundamental place of the family on the global stage where many pressures can be arrayed against these values," said Bishop Thomas, chairman of USCCB's Committee for Pro-Life Activities.
Read the statement >

Upcoming Event 

Accompaniment & Mental Health Ministry Conference
Friday, February 21st

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland and St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick, Ohio are offering an in-person and livestreamed conference called "You Are Not Alone." The conference will guide you into learning what the mental health crisis looks like in families, church and faith, and society while exploring accompaniment as an essential response to building hope with individuals and families. 

Learn more and register at: stambrose.us/mental-health-conference

Adoration at the Statehouse
Tuesday, March 11

The Catholic Conference of Ohio is excited to offer another opportunity to spend time with Jesus and pray for our nation, state, and government leaders in the Ohio capitol building. 

Visit ohiocathconf.org/adoration for details and to sign up today >

Special Feature
The next special feature series for the CCO newsletter will cover steps throughout the legislative process, detailing how a bill becomes a law in Ohio.

The Legislative Process - Introducing a Bill (First Consideration)

With the start of the 136th General Assembly (GA) comes the introduction of new bills for consideration. According to A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators, "a bill is a document by which a member of the General Assembly proposes to enact a new law or amend or repeal an existing law. The term “bill” is used to refer to the document from the time it is drafted and delivered to the member until it is considered and approved by both houses of the General Assembly." 

Bills begin with an idea for a new law or a change to an existing law. Ideas may come from many sources, including legislators, state agency administrators, study committees, special interest groups, or private citizens. Members of the General Assembly can bring ideas to staff of the Legislative Service Commission (LSC) to draft the idea into a bill. 

Once drafted and thoroughly reviewed by the member requesting the bill to ensure it meets the intended objective, it is ready for introduction. To introduce a bill, legislators file the bill with the Senate or House Clerk at least one hour prior to the next convening session and must include the bill's sponsor(s) and cosponsor(s). 

It is important to note that most bills do not become law. Also, any bills that did not pass the previous GA which legislators still want to propose must be reintroduced in the current two-year General Assembly. 

Read a more in-depth view of the introduction process here. 

Let Us Pray

Catholic Schools Week Prayer  
Source: thereligionteacher.com

Almighty Father,

You sent forth your Son as a beacon of hope for all people.
As Teacher, he has given us the prime example of the importance of education.
As disciples, we look to him for inspiration and strength.

Thank you for the many sisters, brothers, priests, and laypeople who have dedicated their lives in service to our Catholic schools.
Thank you for the teachers and administrators who sustain our schools today.
Thank you for the parents who have given support and witness to the importance of Catholic education in their daily lives.
Thank you for the students who work hard to further their education.

Bless our Ohio Catholic Schools and the many people who advance their mission.
May the school buildings be a home for those who seek to grow in faith, knowledge, and service of others. May communities always support one another and exhibit hospitality to newcomers.

Fill our minds with knowledge and wisdom.
May our understanding of the world help us to grow in appreciation for it.

Fill our hearts with gladness.
May we always turn to you in times of need.

Fill our hands with the tools we need to serve others.
May we show them your unceasing love through our actions.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.

St. John Neumann, pray for us.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.