*** News Advisory ***
To: Assignment Desk/News Editors
From: Dave Maluchnik, Director of Communications | (517) 372-9310
Date: Monday, April 25, 2005, 11:00 a.m.
RE: Hundreds of statewide Catholics to gather in Lansing Wednesday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Mary to participate in Catholic Legislative Day and Student Catholic Legislative Day.
Some 300 Catholics from across the state will journey to downtown Lansing Wednesday, April 27 to participate in Catholic Legislative Day and Student Catholic Legislative Day at the Cathedral of St. Mary, located at 219 Seymour St., between Ottawa and Ionia streets.
Michigan Catholic Conference and the Catholic (Arch) Dioceses of Detroit, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Saginaw for the seventh year will host students and adults from the six dioceses to facilitate an understanding of the Catholic ChurchÍs advocacy efforts in the democratic process.
Michigan Catholic Conference is pleased to welcome John L. Carr as keynote speaker for the day. Mr. Carr has served for over 10 years as Director of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Department of Social Development and World Peace, where he assists the bishops in sharing and applying Catholic social teaching, advocating on the moral dimensions of key domestic and international policies, and building the Catholic community's capacity to act on social missions.
Mr. Carr has represented the USCCB at the Vatican and in visits to the Middle East, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Russia, Central America and Vietnam. Outside the Church John has served as Executive Director of the White House Conference on Family and as Director of the National Committee for Full Employment.
Student Catholic Legislative Day is oriented toward high school-age students and will be conducted separate from Catholic Legislative Day. Rev. Joe Krupp, Chaplain at Lansing Catholic Central High School, will serve as keynote speaker. Students will also participate in engaging small group activities that will convey how Catholic social teaching can help shape modern day public policy issues.
Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.
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**You are invited to cover this event, which will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. Adults will gather in Madonna Hall while students will participate next door in the Diocesan Building. Cathedral of St. Mary is located at 219 Seymour St. in downtown Lansing, between Ottawa and Ionia streets. Contact Dave Maluchnik at 517.372.9310 for more information. ***
