U.S. Bishops’ Meeting Highlights

During the public sessions, on Nov. 12–13, of the annual Fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, among other actions, the bishops: • Approved their first document on preaching in 30 years, “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily,” encouraging preachers to connect the Sunday homily with people’s daily lives • Rejected a fast-tracked statement intended to offer support and hope to people who are suffering because of the economic downturn • Approved an exhortation encouraging Catholics to take advantage of the sacrament of penance • Endorsed the cause for canonization of Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement • Agreed to begin a revision of the Liturgy of the Hours—updating hymns, psalms, various canticles, psalm prayers, some antiphons, biblical readings and other components of the liturgical prayers used at various parts of the day • Approved the hiring of a public affairs director as efforts begin to reorganize the conference’s Communications Department • Approved a budget for 2013 of $220.4 million • Agreed to hold a national collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services• Participated in a pre-meeting workshop on social media.