President Obama Accepts Holy Father's Invitation

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has extended an invitation to the President to meet with him on July 10th and President Obama has very graciously accepted the invitation. The Pope and President have had telephone conversations previously but this will be the first face to face meeting. The White House confirmed that Mrs. Obama will join the President when he meets with the Holy Father.

Pope Benedict XVI broke protocol by sending a congratulatory message to Barack Obama after he won the election in November (54% of Catholics supported him). The normal practice is to wait for the swearing-in (at which the Pope also sent greetings). Anxious to meet with Obama, the Pope agreed to an afternoon meeting to accommodate the President's schedule. Typically, popes have such meetings in the morning.

http://www.popeandpresident.org/

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows: Gay Congressman and Archbishop Chaput Show Political Unity at Catholic Parish

I must admit, when openly gay Congressman Jared Polis sent me the following flyer for a rally he was having at a Catholic Church AND with Archbishop Charles Chaput in attendance, my reaction was "now there is an odd couple."

But, it is a good witness that people of good will can come together on an issue, even when they have profound differences on other issues.

A national movement including businesses, unions, faith-based organizations, civil rights groups, conservatives, liberals, and community activists is forming to advocate comprehensive immigration reform, and I would like to invite you to take part in that overwhelming support for comprehensive immigration reform by attending our HUGE event:

When: Saturday, June 13th, 2009 12:30 PM-2:00 PM (doors open at 11:30 AM)

Where: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Parish Center 11385 Grant St., Northglenn, CO

Our June 13th event is part of the United Families tour. United Families is a nationwide tour led by Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez to encourage Congress to pass just and humane immigration reform in 2009! In over 20 cities, families that suffer under our broken immigration policies have told their stories to thousands of onlookers, the media, and elected officials. I am honored to bring Congressman Gutierrez to Colorado.

You have the opportunity to be a part of this historic tour and a part of the solution! Colorado families will tell their stories of how our broken immigration system has impacted them. Archbishop Chaput, Father Ames, Rabbi Firestone, Reverend Simpson, and Imam Ali will help us to understand how our faith calls us to action.

Finally, Representatives Gutierrez and I will explain what action Congress can take and how YOU can help. Please join us Saturday for this momentous event as faith leaders, community members and congressional champions for immigration reform join to demonstrate the urgency of fixing our broken immigration system.