Fortnight of Freedom
Schedule of Events and Resources
for the Diocese of Madison
The U.S. bishops have once again called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action, to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, Supreme Court rulings that could attempt to redefine marriage in June, and religious liberty concerns in areas such as immigration and humanitarian services. Last year they outlined their position They outlined their position in “Our First, Most Cherished Freedom.”
***The bishops have called for “A Fortnight for Freedom,”
the two-week period from June 21 to July 4—beginning with the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and ending with Independence Day—to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” for religious liberty.***
Diocesan Schedule
Thursday, June 20 – “Fortnight for Freedom” diocesan kickoff event
Rosary Rally at State Capitol 7:00 PM, State Street steps of the State Capitol Building
Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino will be in attendance!
Friday, June 21 - Feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher "Fortnight for Freedom" National effort begins
Resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Throughout the Fortnight
USCCB Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty – Prayed at the end of Mass.
Friday, June 21- Friday, June 29
Novena to St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, & Lawyers
Tuesday, June 26- Wednesday, July 4
Novena to the SS. Peter and Paul, Martyrs of Rome
Thursday, June 27
Rosary Rally at State Capitol 7:00 PM, State Street steps of the State Capitol Building
Thursday, July 4
Noon – Church bells to ring in parishes throughout the diocese, as a sign of affirmation of religious freedom – our first, most cherished liberty.
Thursday, July 4
Rosary Rally at State Capitol 7:00 PM, State Street steps of the State Capitol Building
Other Suggested Observances:
·Have 24-hour adoration in your parish or cluster
·Attend Mass on the 4th of July, to conclude the “Fortnight” in your parish
·Include the St. Michael Prayer at the conclusion of every Mass
·Pray for the courage for our priests and bishops
·Read and study the Bishops’ document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”
·Have a social function at your parish, with neighboring parish or cluster, celebrating religious freedom
·Fast and pray for the upholding of our First Amendment Right to Religious Freedom
In our Parishes:
St. Clare of Assisi, Monroe, WI
Fortnight for Freedom Opening Liturgy
Solemn Vespers for the Protection of Religious Liberty
June 21at 6:30pm
Novena to St. Thomas More, Martyr and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers
At the Conclusion of Daily Mass:
June 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28; July 1, 2 and 3
Rosary for Religious Freedom
June 23 following the 10:00am Mass
Fortnight for Freedom Eucharistic Holy Hour
June 28 following the 8am Mass
Concludes at 9:30am with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Concluding Fortnight for Freedom Liturgy
Independence Day Mass
July 4 at 8:30am
Special National Masses (televised)
June 21 Mass in Baltimore, MD
A Mass will be offered on June 21 at 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, Maryland, celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, to open the Fortnight for Freedom. The Mass will be televised nationwide on the EWTN cable network.
July 4 Mass in Washington, DC
A Mass will be offered on July 4 at 12:00 p.m. (EDT) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington. The Mass will be televised nationwide on the EWTN cable network.
Other Resources
Ecumenical Resources
• Letter from USCCB on Ecumenical cooperation
• Ecumenical prayer service
Parishes please read the
Suggested USCCB Prayer Resources for Conscience Rights and Religious Freedom
Also available in Spanish.
The following prayer cards are available to download from the USCCB in English and Spanish:
•Litany for Liberty
• Mary Immaculate; María Inmaculada
• Our Lady of Guadalupe; Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
• St. Thomas More; Santo Tomás Moro
Bulletin inserts and Flyers:
• “The Most Cherished of American Freedoms—Past and Present” in
English and Spanish.
• Faithful Citizenship Bulletin Inserts
Look for more bulletin inserts to be released from the USCCB.
• ObamaCare and its Mandates Fact Sheet
Intercessory Prayers:
• Faithful Citizenship Intercessory Prayers for the Prayers of the Faithful.
Educational:
• Complete list from the USCCB
• Religious Liberty homily talking points
• Twelve Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate - Also available in Spanish
• Backgrounder on Coerced Abortion Payments
• Is Respect for the Rights of Conscience Act Overbroad?
• Order the Religious Liberty pamphlet from Our Sunday Visitor and make available to parishioners
Advocacy:
• Send an electronic message to Congress to Oppose the HHS Mandate and Support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act
• Host a petition drive at your parish
• Write Letters to Editor in your local news publications
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 11, 2013