June 4, 2013 // Local

Fortnight For Freedom planned June 21 through July 4

Todays Catholic

WASHINGTON — The second annual Fortnight for Freedom will take place from June 21 to July 4, and will consist of national and local efforts to educate Americans on challenges to religious liberty both at home and abroad. As with last year’s Fortnight, the event will begin and end with a special Mass.

Masses are scheduled in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

On Saturday, June 22, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will open the Fortnight in the diocese with a Mass celebrated at 8 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. He will conclude the Fortnight for Freedom with a Mass, Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m. at St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend.

The faithful are also encouraged to participate in Masses and special observances at parishes throughout the diocese.

The Franciscan Brothers Minor and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will co-sponsor Fortnight for Freedom rallies July 1 and 2 on the plaza of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, beginning at 7 p.m. each night with music, a speaker and a rosary procession at 8 p.m. to the Allen County Courthouse. The themes for the speakers will be “Catholics and the Constitution” on July 1, with speaker Attorney Jeremy Reidy of Beckman and Lawson law firm; and “Medical Moral Dilemmas for Catholic Doctors” on July 2, with speakers:

7:30-7:40 –  Dr. Thomas McGovern (Guild President) – Overview of Conscience Protection and HHS Mandate as it affects physicians

7:40-7:50 –  Dr. Kate Heimann – (Guild Vice President and Family Practitioner) – Beginning of LIfe Issues as they pertain to Conscience Protection and the HHS Mandate

7:50-8:00 –  Dr. Eustace Fernandes – (Guild Board Member and Critical Care Specialist) – End of LIfe Issues and Indiana POST Law as they pertain to Religious Freedom

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne will host the traditional Patriotic Concert on Wednesday, June 26, at 7 p.m. with prayers for religious freedom offered at the event. Fortnight for Freedom will close with a Mass at 9 a.m. on
July 4.

St. Pius X Church, Granger, will host 50 Hours of Prayer for Our 50 States, at St. Pius Church, 52553 Fir Rd., Granger, beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, through 10 a.m., Thursday, July 4. Events include daily Mass, Eucharistic Exposition, patriotic rosary, and holy hour with Benediction.

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,

From Your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
You call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask You to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of Your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome —
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us —
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.