The Festival for Freedom, being held for two weeks at Notre Dame Retreat House from June 21-July 4, has received permission to premiere locally the much heralded movie “For Greater Glory!” with three screenings.  The shows will be at 10AM, 1:30PM and 4:00PM on Saturday, June 30.  Reservations are suggested as the chapel only holds about 200 people.  For reservations, contact Deacon Claude Lester at clester@dor.org

The is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be collected at each performance.  See also “Calendar” or “Events Schedule” for more information on the other events to be held at Notre Dame during the festival (which coincides with the USCCB’s call for a Fortnight for Freedom.  Theater of the Word will give three different perfomances, many noted speakers will be attending, and there will be both liturgical and patriotic events.

The following excerpts are from the May 30th Lifesite News’ article on “For Greater Glory!” by Thaddeus Baklinski: 

• A movie described by its lead actor as the epic story of the fight for religious freedom in Mexico.
• Already the film is earning enthusiastic accolades from religious leaders, who say that the film couples Hollywood-quality production and acting with a powerful story of faith and freedom that is surprisingly relevant.
• “For Greater Glory” is a movie about the true story of the Cristeros, the rebels who fought against Mexican dictator Plutarco Calles who banned religion in the country in the 1920s.
• …numerous commentators have drawn a parallel between the religious oppression of the Mexican dictatorship and the subversion of religious freedom by the U.S. government.
• Americans today are talking about the same question Mexicans were talking about in the 1920s: Can government order people to act against their faith?”
• The movie portrays the Cristero War, also know as the Cristiada, of 1926 to 1929, which was an uprising and counter-revolution set off by the bloody persecution of Roman Catholics due to the strict enforcement of anti-religious provisions in the Mexican Constitution.
• The film has been acclaimed by religious leaders and pro-family groups who are urging all those concerned about the future of religious liberty to support the movie by going to see it and encouraging others to do so.
• It is an epic true story about religious persecution which is as culturally relevant today as when the oppression occurred in 1920’s Mexico.
• This film has the potential to light a fire under those who have been sitting on the sidelines in the fight to protect religious liberty.
• “To describe this film as stirring or powerful would do it a disservice,” said Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia.  …. “For Greater Glory is … an extraordinary portrait of ordinary people struggling to defend their convictions.”
• “It is not often that a film opens a window into the past that casts so much light on the present,” said Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmstead, Bishop of Phoenix, Ariz. “For Greater Glory depicts a courageous struggle for religious freedom that was inspired by love of Christ and love of country. The Cristeros of Mexico have much to teach us today.”

To see the trailer and find out more about the film go to:  www.ForGreaterGlory.com

In compliance with the request of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), St. Mary Canandaigua sponsored a second silent procession to the Ontario County Courthouse this year.  The first was on March 23, 2012, also in response to the Bishops’ urging, and the second was held on June 8, while simultaneous processions were being held in over 160 cities country wide. 

Approaching the Flag for a Pledge of Allegiance

According to Deacon Claude Lester, approximately 250 people participated in the procession.  Upon arriving at the courthouse and at the ceasing of the pealing church bells, those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  To see pictures of the event, visit “Media: Albums” tab above. 

Also, the Rochester Diocesan Courier carried a number of pictures, which can be viewed at:  http://www.catholiccourier.com/photo-video/photo-galleries/silent-procession-for-religious-freedom-held/

The Courier also published an article mentioning both the Canandaigua silent procession and the Rochester March with Speakers.  Visit that article at:  http://www.catholiccourier.com/

In honor of the request to observe a Fortnight for Freedom, approximately 30 people in the greater Canandaigua area and beyond have joined forces, hands and hearts to create a unique event not for a day or two but for the entire two weeks.  The organizers and planners, spearheaded by Deacon Claude Lester of St. Mary Canandaigua, have come not only from St. Mary, but from various denominational churches as well, and even from no church affiliation, but who believe in the issue of preserving Religious Freedom for everyone.

The recognition that the threat to Religious Freedom impacts all who follow their consciences has kept the group focused on celebrating the God-given Freedoms with a festival, sharing their concerns in common, rather than focused on differences which divide.

Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua

The event will be held at the Notre Dame Retreat House on Foster Road, where each day of the Fortnight will begin with raising the American Flag together, and lowering it again before sunset.  Speakers from all over the country will be making presentations, leading Panel Discussions, and helping the attendees to clarify their thoughts and actions on such an important topic.  Weekends will see special events for children as well.  All people of Faith who believe in our Bill of Rights and especially in the God-given right of Freedom of Religion are invited to participate, to enrich the discussion, and to share ideas and concerns.

There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be taken up at some events such as live theater.  Further program details will be presented on this website.   Visit “Calendar” above in order to see the schedule.  Revist often, as the schedule develops and grows.

On April 12, the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a document, “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty,” outlining the bishops’ concerns over threats to religious freedom, both at home and abroad. The bishops called for a “Fortnight for Freedom,” a 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, from June 21-July 4, 2012.

Bishops in their own dioceses were encouraged to arrange special events to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. Catholic institutions were encouraged to do the same, especially in cooperation with other Christians, Jews, people of other faiths and all “who wish to defend our most cherished freedom.”

The fourteen days begin on June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, martyrs for their Faith. The fortnight ends on July 4, Independence Day. The USCCB called this period a “fortnight for freedom—a great hymn of prayer for our country.”

The USCCB calls this a “special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action” which would emphasize the Christian and American heritage of liberty. The announcement further added: “Dioceses and parishes around the country could choose a date in that period for special events that would constitute a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty.”

In addition, the USCCB designated June 8, 2012 as “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” and in many dioceses across the country there will be additional activities taking place to keep our concerns for religious freedom squarely in the public eye.

Similar to the events of March 23, 2012 (see “Renewing Our Legacy”) St. Mary Canandaigua will be the starting point of a silent procession to the Ontario County Court House.  People will again gather before 11:30AM on Friday, June 8, to see relevant Freedom quotations displayed, to register, and to receive pins and information.  At noon, at the same Court House where Susan B. Anthony was tried for the crime of casting a vote before women legally received that right, the silence will only be punctuated by the Pledge of Allegiance at noon, and by the ringing of church bells, pealing in protest at any attempt to take away our God-given rights.

At the request of the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) a show of solidarity against the HHS Mandate was made in more than 100 cities across the US.  (See below for objections to the Mandate.)

A silent procession was held on March 23, 2012 from the grounds of St. Mary Canandaigua to the Ontario County Courthouse, where Susan B. Anthony was tried and convicted of casting a vote, in a time when women did not have the right to vote.

One side of Ontario Co. Courthouse Sq.

Over 500 people attended the procession.  All the pictures and a DVD are shown in the gallery on the tool bar above.  Also please look at the Memory Book in the Gallery.  It will be available for sale during the Fortnight For Freedom on June 21-July 4th, and will help pay for the expenses of that event.

The lawn at St. Mary’s displayed nearly 100 religious freedom quotations with the source attributed, and for those in the procession to contemplate.  At approximately 11:45 AM the procession to the Courthouse began, and silent prayer was offered at 12:00 noon, prayer for preservation of religious freedom in this country.  All returned to St. Mary in silence, where some separately attended Mass offered by Fr. Mull, followed by Lenten Stations of the Cross.

A silent march is something quite different, and quite compelling.  Participants were specifically told:  “NO signs, banners, flags or posters in the procession,” and it seemed that everyone respected the request.  The lawn signage stayed in place for the next few days, until the rains came.

Many of those who participated wore or carried a  faith symbol in the procession (e.g. cross from a place of worship, a bible,  a religious object from home, or a personal religious item such as a rosary.)  One person carried a menorah.

Participants also received a commemorative button “RENEWING OUR LEGACY.”

 VIEW THE VIDEO AT THIS LINK: http://youtu.be/vGXjfsATq2M

These are the reasons given for this vital show of solidarity and support by the Bishops who unanimously opposed the HHS Mandate:

“We are showing our non-support of the mandate for the following reasons:

-the mandate does not permit “religious exemptions” (unless those agencies were  only staffed by members of a single faith tradition and  served only persons of  that one and same faith tradition).  Guided by fundamental principles to serve all in need, Catholic social service agencies, hospitals and universities would not be able to continue their ministry

-the mandate means that “freedom of conscience” is violated

-the mandate requires coverage of abortion-inducing drugs and devices, female surgical  sterilization, as well as contraception,

-the mandate requires that all people pay for services they consider immoral and against their conscience

-the mandate marks a change in our government’s posture of religious freedom as a fundamental right of all.”

We provide those resources below.  If you have time to read only one piece, might we suggest the four page March 2, 2012 letter from Cardinal Dolan, listed first among the resources.  If you have time to read a second, look at the March 14, 2012 statement from the administrative committee of USCCB.

Archbishop Dolan March 2 Letter

Adm. Cmte Statement March 14 2012

Press Release Feb 6 Six Things to Know

Feb 13 Six More Things to Know

Feb 10 Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action

HHS Mandate Createds Absurd Results by Bishop Lori

Criminalizing Free Speech by J. Whitehead

Difference betwen Freedom of Religion and Freedom to Worship

Southern Baptist Press Release

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