A new chairperson, Bishop Donald Wuerl, led discussions of home schooling sacramental preparation, schooling and religious education for children with disabilities, and school violence at a January 11 meeting of the United States Catholic Conference Committee on Education. With the bishops' approval of the U.S. Application of Ex corde Ecclesiae , the document on higher education went to the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome for final action. The document, which takes effect one year after the Congregation's approval, will apply across the country. Judy Cannon, RSM, represents LCWR as a non-voting ex officio member of the committee. SOA Watch will hold a rally in Washington, DC, on April 2, followed by a lobby workshop and visits to legislators on April 3.
Scholarship funds are available.
Encuentro 2000, July 6-9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will draw participants from around the nation to look at their experience as Catholics and to seek ways to improve the acceptance of the many cultures which make up the church. Seton Institute, sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, is soliciting proposals from Catholic women religious for primary health care training or services in the poorest countries of the world. An updated handbook for religion communicators is now available from the Religion Communicators Council. It is suitable for congregational use. Registration for the 2000 New Leader Workshop is now closed.