Dear Brothers and Sisters,

When I was growing up during the Cold War, one
of the things we were most proud of as Catholic Americans was our First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion. I remember hearing of how people of faith living behind "the Iron Curtain" had to keep their faith a secret. Churches were closed and turned into museums. Attendance at church services would threaten one's ability to secure a job. And there were the many stories of people of faith exiled to Siberia. It was the authoritarianism of "atheistic Communism."

Who'd believe that America in 2012 would experience a direct attack by the US government against people of faith who have been given one year to adjust our consciences to accept a government ruling that would force us to go against our consciences? If this continues, what will be next? See below the news release dated 1/20/2012 from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Read it and think. A word to the wise should be sufficient. Also, be sure to read the statement by Bishop Conley which is included as an insert in this week's bulletin.

God bless you always,

Father Bill Breslin
http://www.fatherbillsblog.com/
breslinw@shjboulder.org
(303) 442-6158, ext. 116