In an effort to help rebuild Church and rebuild Hope, a national collection was taken up last month in parishes throughout the country for continued support for hurricane relief efforts in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Bioloxi.

The theme of the national collection-Rebuild Church, Rebuild Hope was inspired by Bishop Thomas Rodi of Biloxi, who proclaimed to the bishops of the United States that to "rebuild the Church is to rebuild hope itself."

These two dioceses, so devastated by the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are still in a state of unimaginable need. Collections in 2005 right after the hurricanes focused on immediate humanitarian relief, and only scratched the surface of the needs involved. The special collection last month focused on rebuilding churches, schools, and other essential parts of the parishes' infrastructure which are needed to rebuild people's hope. Anyone missing the collection but who would still like to contribute to the Hurricane Relief Fund, please make your check out to the Diocese of New Ulm with a note that says "National Collection for Hurricane Recovery" and give to your local Catholic parish. All contributions will be forwarded to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced August 24 that it has approved Barr Pharmaceutical's "Plan B" for distribution without a prescription to women age 18 and over. The FDA describes Plan B as 'a contraceptive drug' and equates its side effects to those of ordinary birth control pills. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) continue to oppose making Plan B available without medical supervision, whether to minors or adults. “Plan B (known as the morning-after pill) may prevent fertilization, or it may interfere with the implantation of the embryo in the mother's womb. Such interference is best understood not as contraceptive but as a very early abortifacient action. Without the benefit of a doctor's supervision, many women will be unaware of this abortifacient action and the other risks posed by Plan B.”

For information on the Catholic bishop’s views on Plan B, go to www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/contraception/morningafterpill.htm.