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WASHINGTON – The U.S. bishops, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, the National Catholic Rural Life Conference and Network, a Catholic social justice lobby, are joining more than a dozen other religious groups in advocating reforms in federal farm policy that could be implemented through the farm bill now working its way through Congress. The organizations have coalesced into a body called the Religious Working Group on the Farm Bill to propose changes in the legislation that they say would benefit farmers, rural communities and Americans’ nutritional needs.

I enjoyed reading your article “Mission for the Military,” (CR, April 5).

As the nation and Congress prepare for another round of debates about comprehensive immigration reform, I have been reflecting lately on the intersection between how we embrace immigrants in the United States and the Catholic values that I learned at Mercy High School, Baltimore. Leviticus 19:33-34 says “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be the same to you as the citizen among you.” So what does this mean for me and why should I care?

I am appalled at the comments of Patrick J. Clancy concerning the name given to the “Ranger Rosaries” (CR, April 19). U.S. Army Rangers are not “killers.”

I was angered to read the letter from Patrick J. Clancy (CR, April 19) stating that naming a rosary after the United States Army Rangers is “sacrilegious.” These brave soldiers serve our country with honor.

Anyone who has faced trauma in his or her life can speak quite clearly about all of those feelings, because it is the living reality of any traumatic event. I would imagine that for many in Blacksburg, Va., and on the campus of Virginia Tech, many people have experienced if not all at least one of those feelings, and without a doubt before getting through the grieving process, will experience all of them.

While lawmakers in Washington wrangle over the controversial firings of eight U.S. attorneys, the former U.S. Attorney for Maryland said he thinks public servants are being torn down just for doing their jobs. Thomas M. DiBiagio, the former U.S. attorney appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001, said he knows from first-hand experience what it’s like. He underwent stinging criticism for his high-profile, dogged pursuit of crime and corruption. And the high officials he confronted “pushed back,” he said, before he abruptly resigned in 2005.

When Brian Whaley, his three siblings and his parents sing happy birthday, they belt it out beautifully in five-part harmony. As singers and musicians, the Whaleys frequently break out into song – “Amazing Grace” is their favorite – when their family joins together. “My mom taught me how to sing harmony at age 5,” said Mr. Whaley, 50, a Loyola College of Maryland, Baltimore, graduate. “Our entire family is musical. We’ve been in and out of bands growing up.”

Youth group members at New All Saints, Liberty Heights, know what their moms want for Mother’s Day – a little pampering. On May 13, the young people of New All Saints will hold their third annual Mother’s Day Tea featuring a “Colors of the Rainbow” fashion show to honor the women who brought them into the world.

FLEMINGTON, N.J. – Hundreds of friends, classmates and family members filled St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church in Flemington for the April 24 funeral Mass for Michael Steven Pohle Jr., one of 32 victims of a student gunman who went on a shooting rampage April 16 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. The Mass was celebrated by Father Timothy Christy, pastor of St. Magdalen and Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski of Metuchen. Acting New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey attended the Mass. In his homily, Father Christy said that in the wake of such a tragedy it is difficult to find the words to express how one is feeling, but that the Gospel can provide guidance.

MEXICO CITY – Despite an intense opposition campaign by the Catholic Church, the Mexico City Assembly has approved an initiative legalizing abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Following a heated session April 24, the legislature voted in favor of the new law, which will allow hospitals run by the city government to provide abortions. The bill, passed 46-19 with one abstention, will become law when it is signed by the mayor.

VATICAN CITY – In its recent document on unbaptized children, the Vatican’s International Theological Commission demonstrated how church teaching can be responsive to changes in theological thought, Christian beliefs and the “signs of the times.” The document, published April 20, critiqued the traditional understanding of limbo, arguing instead that there was good reason to hope unbaptized babies who die go to heaven.