• Affordable Housing, Homeowner Assistance Funds Included in $4.7 Billion Spending Bill
• Governor Signs Bill Requiring More Occupations to Report Child Abuse
• Pope Asks Faithful to Join in Entrusting Ukraine, Russia to Our Lady's Immaculate Heart

Millions of dollars for affordable housing and helping people stay in their homes was included as part of a $4.7 billion spending bill approved by the Legislature this week.

Under the broad supplemental spending legislation, $121.4 million in federal funding was set aside for programs that protect housing for individuals and families struggling to maintain their housing, according to a report from the House Fiscal Agency.

Another $50 million will be used to expand affordable housing for individuals disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Senate Bill 565 also includes $50 million for schools and child care centers to purchase water filtration devices. The bill language allows nonpublic schools like Catholic schools to also qualify for the funding.

The $4.7 billion spending bill was OKed by both the Senate and House and is now headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her consideration.

Physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers would be required to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect in a new law signed by the Governor this week.

House Bill 4880, sponsored by Rep. Roger Hauck (R-Mount Pleasant), adds those occupations to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse. MCC supports the change in keeping with the Church's commitment to preventing abuse of children. 

Pope Francis has asked all bishops - and all faithful of the entire world - to join him in entrusting the nations of Ukraine and Russia to the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Heart during a special prayer of consecration taking place today, the Feast of the Annunciation. 

In a letter to bishops, the Pope said the consecration is meant as a gesture of the entire Church to invoke an end to the war involving the two countries.

To find out if your Diocese is taking part, check out this guide. To join in praying the consecration yourself, view the official text of the prayer here.