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The Governor this week signed the next state budget into law, finalizing the significant gains for Catholic schools and agencies that a bipartisan Legislature recently approved.

The new budget awaiting the Governor's signature continues important funding for nonpublic schools, in addition to increased and new streams of support. MCC advocacy also helped ensure budget funding for Catholic agencies and protections against promoting assisted suicide.

Recent MCC advocacy has included support for policies to protect vulnerable adults, cut red tape for Catholic schools, promote affordable housing, and more.

The inclusion of nonpublic schools in a bill to make the state’s expanded school meals program a permanent part of state law is another MCC advocacy accomplishment on behalf of nonpublic students. Also this week, two new resources with important information for parents of schoolkids are available for download.

The right to vote is among our most cherished American privileges, and for Catholics who are American citizens, the right to vote is also a moral obligation, as the Church recognizes that voting has implications for advancing the common good.

Michigan families of both public and nonpublic students could soon apply for and receive funding to pay for out-of-pocket education expenses under a federal education tax credit program. The state of Michigan must formally opt into the program for families and students to benefit.

Protecting children from harm while nurturing their growth is a goal both parents and policymakers often share, a goal aligned with the Church’s concern for families and children. This is why Michigan Catholic Conference has recently offered support to legislation limiting children’s access to artificial intelligence companion chatbots and addictive social media feeds.

As the process for a new state budget begins, MCC shares how its advocacy efforts last year played a critical role in securing the support Catholic and nonpublic schools received in the current year budget.

Los católicos tienen un llamado particular para participar en las elecciones como ciudadanos fieles, formando su conciencia y votando con fe. En esta edición de Focus se analizará en qué consiste hacerlo y se animará a los católicos a responder al llamado a la ciudadanía fiel en las elecciones de este año en Míchigan.

In its public policy advocacy on behalf of the Church, MCC works to secure funding in the state budget to support the Church’s ministries that serve Michigan families and children in need. The new edition of Focus shares specific examples of how state funding secured by MCC helped programs that assist families in need of diapers, parents seeking to adopt and foster children, and homeless and runaway youth in crisis.

As members of the body of Christ, we are each called to live out the Gospel not only in words, but in action. Catholic social teaching provides a blueprint for how we put our faith into action. This edition of focus presents the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and invites Catholics reflect on how they can incorporate these principles into their lives, so as to more actively proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ both in word and deed.

This edition of Focus looks at how Catholic schools serve a diverse population of students and families, transforming lives by forming children into virtuous members of society. Rich or poor, Catholic or non-Catholic, and children of all learning abilities are welcomed into Catholic schools across Michigan, primarily due to the Church’s efforts to make Catholic education financially feasible to those who want it, and despite constitutional restrictions on public aid for nonpublic schools.

Over the course of the 2019–2020 state legislative session, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) worked diligently with lawmakers and legislative staff of both political parties to advance the common good. In a February report, MCC details its advocacy work from the past two years and highlights critical legislative achievements for Michiganders, especially those that recognize the dignity of the human person and address the needs of the vulnerable.