EIN Presswire: Religion Press Releases

CAIR 'Disappointed' with Review of NYPD Spying on NJ Muslims

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:03:23 +0000

CAIR 'Disappointed' with Review of NYPD Spying on NJ Muslims

PR Newswire

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today said it is "disappointed" with the state attorney general's apparent approval of the New York Police Department's (NYPD) warrantless surveillance of law-abiding Muslims.

A representative of CAIR-NJ, along with other American Muslim leaders, took part in a meeting this afternoon at Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa's office in Trenton to discuss concerns about the widespread spying conducted by the NYPD on the Muslim community in New Jersey.

Other government officials participating in the meeting included representatives of the New Jersey State Police, the Department of Homeland Security and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the status of New Jersey's review of the NYPD spying campaign, a new policy on communication with out-of-state law enforcement agencies and the establishment of a Muslim community outreach committee.

Following a three-month review, Gov. Chris Christie's administration said the NYPD did not violate New Jersey laws when it conducted surveillance of Muslim businesses, mosques and student groups.

The Associated Press, the news agency that broke the story of the NYPD spying, wrote today: "The findings by Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa, a Christie appointee asked by the governor to look into the spying, mean New Jersey Muslims have no state recourse to stop the New York Police Department from infiltrating student groups, videotaping mosque-goers or collecting their license plate numbers as they pray."

AP: NJ Finds NYPD Muslim Surveillance is Legal
http://tinyurl.com/cgmsn4d

"The NYPD's blanket surveillance of every segment of the Muslim community clearly violated the constitutional rights of those who were spied on without evidence or even suspicion of wrongdoing on their part," said CAIR-NJ Chair Nadia Kahf. "We are disappointed with the outcome of the review conducted by the attorney general's office and will consider all legal options, including renewed appeals for action by the Department of Justice."

Kahf noted that CAIR-NJ participated in a similar meeting on the NYPD Muslim spying earlier this year.

Video: CAIR Meets with FBI, NJ Officials on NYPD Muslim Spying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkvJRR71Ebk

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Chair Nadia Kahf, 973-901-1618, E-Mail: nkahf@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Tim Tebow Takes to the Turf at Qualcomm Stadium This Father's Day

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Treat Dad to an Inspirational and Encouraging Morning With Tim Tebow and Dr. David Jeremiah, Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, at Qualcomm Stadium

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, one of the most dynamic players in the National Football League and a follower of Christ known for sharing his faith openly and unabashedly, will join Dr. David Jeremiah, the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, for a very special event Father's Day morning at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, the church has announced.

"Father's Day 2012 - Encouraging Men To Live, Love & Lead" presented by Shadow Mountain Community Church is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 17. Tebow, who is known as much for his late-game heroics as his open professions of his Christian faith, will share his story and encourage men young and old to live their lives in faith, love those around them and lead courageously.

"As a football player, Tim Tebow is the real deal, a gifted athlete who is capable of taking over a game at any moment," said Dr. Jeremiah. "But far more importantly, at the age of 24 he is also the kind of man any young boy would do well to emulate. Tim recognizes that the real game changer is Jesus Christ, and he passionately lives out his faith every day, both publically and privately. Tim gives Christ the glory and honor at every turn and he embraces the label 'role model' in this time when most athletes shun the title."

Worship will be provided by nationally renowned Christian recording artist Charles Billingsley, and ESPN Senior NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen is also expected to be in attendance.

In just two years, Tebow has established himself as one of the most high-impact players in the National Football League. Before being traded to the Jets earlier this year, he spent his first two NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, starting the final three games of his rookie season in 2010 and the last 11 of the 2011 season. After taking over the team in week six, he led the Broncos to five dramatic come-from-behind victories, including three in overtime, and their first playoff appearance since 2005.

Prior to his selection in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, Tebow was a standout quarterback at the University of Florida, where he led the Gators to two national championships (2006 and 2008), became the only sophomore and the only homeschooler to win the Heisman Trophy (2007), and received the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's most outstanding amateur athlete in any sport.

The event is free, including parking, and open to the public. The Qualcomm Stadium parking lot and stadium gates open at 8:00 a.m. and individuals and small groups are encouraged to tailgate prior to and after the event.

For more information visit the Shadow Mountain Community Church Web site at www.shadowmountain.org or call the church's event hotline at 619.590.2100.

About Shadow Mountain Community Church

Shadow Mountain Community Church is an evangelical Christian church in El Cajon, California, a suburb of San Diego. Since its founding in 1909, Shadow Mountain has grown to be one of the largest churches in California. Dr. David Jeremiah has served as senior pastor since 1981, when he succeeded noted author Tim LaHaye.

PDF Attachment Available: http://media.marketwire.com/attachments/201205/51038_SBCal_Tebow_Ad_WEB.pdf

Contact:
David St. John
Shadow Mountain Community Church Pastoral Ministries
619.590.1738 direct
619.726.7840 cell
Email Contact

For more information visit www.shadowmountain.org

AJC Praises U.S., Other World Powers, for Standing Firm in Iran Nuclear Talks

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:11:03 +0000

May 24, 2012 – New York – AJC praised world powers for holding firm in the just-concluded talks with Iran in Baghdad. Two days of discussions between the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany and Iran ended today with no agreement other than to meet again.

“Pleasantries aside, Iran has taken no action to prove its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, as it alleges,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “Clearly, Iran is using the talks as a cover for continued progress in its drive to achieve nuclear-weapons capability.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a new report to be issued tomorrow, will confirm that in the past three months Iran has installed another 350 centrifuges at a facility near Qom. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano wrote in the IAEA’s February report that the agency “continues to have serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program.” Last November, the IAEA issued a comprehensive and damning report indicating that Iran is advancing on a nuclear weapons program.

The Iranian regime has long ignored UN Security Council resolutions, IAEA reports and warnings, and the series of increasingly punishing sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and many other nations.

“The P5+1 group rightly held firm on the ever-tightening measures against Iran because they recognize Iran’s nuclear program is a grave threat to global security and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” said Harris.

“As long as Iran refuses to demonstrate by concrete and verifiable actions a commitment to abandon its quest for nuclear weapons capability, there should not be any weakening whatsoever of sanctions. Indeed, to the contrary, there should be a further tightening, together with a statement that P5+1 patience is limited, not limitless,” Harris added.

The EU embargo on Iranian oil will go into full effect on July 1. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved on Monday new economic sanctions. The House passed its version in December. These measures build upon the U.S. sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran and the Iranian oil sector.

Iranian negotiators came to the talks pressing for a scaling back of sanctions. In advance of the Baghdad gathering, IAEA Director Amano met with Iranian officials in Tehran and announced that an understanding had been reached on allowing IAEA inspectors to visit the Parchin nuclear site. However, no such agreement has been finalized.

The two days of talks in Baghdad talks were a follow-up to last month’s meeting in Istanbul, which was the first time Iran had met with the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany in 15 months.

Vincent 'The Chin' Gigante's Daughter Pens Memoir of Family Life with International Crime Boss

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Vincent 'The Chin' Gigante's Daughter Pens Memoir of Family Life with International Crime Boss

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Notorious crime boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante was not your "average" mobster; he was, in fact, the Capo di tutti capi -- the head of all five New York crime families: the Bonannos, Colombos, Gambinos, Genoveses, and Luccheses. In an effort to protect himself and his family, Gigante created a facade of a mentally unstable person, complete with public theatrics, often wearing his infamous Golden Nugget bathrobe around town. His story is most intriguing for the level of secretiveness it has maintained. Finally, six years after his death, Vincent's youngest daughter Rita pens a tell-all of her life growing up with the most powerful mafia leader of that time.

The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing and Redemption, releasing September 18th by Hay House publishing, is a never-before-heard account of what it was like to live a life of deceit, secrecy, oppression, and violence. In this breakthrough true story of the turmoil that permeated within the mafia lifestyle, Rita delves deep into the adversities she had to overcome as a young gay woman in a strict Italian Catholic family. She recounts being misunderstood and bullied by her own family members for resisting the life that was expected of her. Forced to live a lie to protect her family and her father's ego ultimately created an unstable environment filled with frustration, confusion, and fear. After years of deception Rita finally hit rock bottom and realized she could no longer bear the anguish of her demons; she had to live a life true to herself. Throughout Rita's personal growth, the bond with her father evolved as well. It was upon her father's passing that she was finally able to achieve the improbable relationship with him that she had longed for her entire life -- a relationship where they could share an uninhibited exchange of love and an understanding for who they really were.

"The inspiration to write the book began about 13 years ago. I started to see the changes in myself as I began to speak up about who I was and began to live my life as authentically as possible. I started to share that with people so that they could also stand in their truth and do the same. I knew I couldn't write it while my father was alive ... and after he passed, I knew I had to give my family time to grieve. The timing is right now," says Rita Gigante.

The Godfather's Daughter uncovers the truths a crime boss's daughter must face to shed family secrets and accept what cannot be changed. Complete with an insider view of the mafia world, Rita's story tells of the importance of forgiveness in an unforgiving world and shows the eventual transformation from a troubled girl into a more fulfilled woman.

For media inquiries, please contact Richelle Zizian, Publicity Manager, Hay House, rzizian@hayhouse.com, 646-484-4954.

Hay House is the international leader in self-help and motivational publishing, featuring books, audios, and sidelines by more than 250 authors. Smiley Books, Visions, and Insights are imprints of Hay House, Inc, which is also the exclusive distributor for Amber Allen Press and Agape Media, Inc. Hay House has a self-publishing division, Balboa Press, as well as radio, film and television divisions. Corporate offices are in California and New York, with international divisions in Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa. Please visit us at http://www.hayhouse.com.

SOURCE Hay House

Liberty Institute Sets Epic Battle--Whether The Supreme Court Will Allow Religious Imagery On Veterans Memorials--To Acoustic Music

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Liberty Institute Sets Epic Battle--Whether The Supreme Court Will Allow Religious Imagery On Veterans Memorials--To Acoustic Music

"Don't Tear Me Down" Music Video Will Release Memorial Day to Bring Awareness to Veterans and their Memorials Under Siege from the ACLU and other Groups

PR Newswire

PLANO, Texas, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Memorial Day – as Liberty Institute awaits a response from the U.S. Supreme Court over their appeal to save the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross from being torn down by atheist groups—the group will unveil a new music video, titled "Don't Tear Me Down." Beginning Monday, May 28, tune-in at www.DontTearMeDown.com.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-institute-sets-epic-battle--whether-the-supreme-court-will-allow-religious-imagery-on-veterans-memorials--to-acoustic-music-153284545.html

"Don't Tear Me Down" embodies the spirit of the movement to save America's veterans memorials that contain religious imagery from being torn down by the ACLU and other atheist groups.

"The ACLU is so driven to purge religious displays from the public square that they are continuing their attack against the unlikeliest of victims – the veterans and the memorials they built to honor their own," said Kelly Shackelford, Liberty Institute President and CEO. "We believe, if The Supreme Court grants our appeal and agrees to hear the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross case, they will rule once and for all that these veterans memorials should be exempt from the ongoing culture war over religious imagery in public displays."

Liberty Institute, representing the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court in February. In March, the U.S. Solicitor General's office joined in the appeal to protect the 56-year old memorial, giving the case a significant boost. According to a Georgetown Law Journal study, there is now a 70 percent chance the High Court will hear the case. A decision is expected in June.

In addition to the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross, Liberty Institute also represented the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of 4 million veterans through the VFW, The American Legion and Military of the Purple Heart, as well as the Big Mountain Jesus Statue in Montana on behalf of the local Knights of Columbus who oversees the WWII monument.

Dolly Parton and Billy Ray Cyrus' lyricist Jon Christopher Davis co-wrote, performed and played the song on acoustic guitar. Davis' co-writer on "Don't Tear Me Down" is his manager John "Sparky" Pearson.

"Our fathers, who are no longer with us, served in the U.S. Air Force and Navy. They would be outraged at the idea of tearing down a veterans memorial just because it has a religious symbol," said Davis. "We were taught and we believe in religious freedom – not freedom from religion. To us, this is a much bigger issue than erasing a religious symbol. This is about NOT tearing down America."

Evoking images of fallen soldiers and endangered national landmarks across the country, the three-minute music video reveals the heart's cry of millions of U.S. veterans as it crescendos into the refrain:

"Don't tear me down, Just walk away
Our Founding Fathers, What would they say?
Don't tear me down, These words I pray
I'm just keeping watch, Over the fallen brave"

The "Don't Tear Me Down" music video was filmed by award-winning producer Ry Cox (Third Day and Sixth Avenue North) on location under the shadow of the controversial Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross in San Diego, CA, and at the Houston National Cemetery and San Jacinto Monument in Houston, TX.

Background on Battles To Tear Down U.S. Veterans Memorials:

The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross: Since 1989, the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross has been the center of a legal battle. In 2005, 76 percent of San Diegans voted in favor of giving the memorial to the federal government in an effort to preserve it as a national landmark honoring veterans. Liberty Institute represents the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, a veterans group that maintains the monument. Liberty Institute filed an appeal on their behalf with the U.S. Supreme Court in February after the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the memorial cross unconstitutional.
Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross: In Salazar v. Buono, 130 S. Ct. 1803, the ACLU originally won a ruling that declared the Mojave Desert Veteran's Memorial Cross to be an unconstitutional display of religious imagery. In 2010, Liberty Institute filed an appeal and represented over four million veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and other military organizations. We won a major victory when the Supreme Court overturned the original decision and voted in favor of the cross and veterans memorial, citing our amicus brief on behalf of veterans twelve separate times in the decision.
Jesus Statue, WWII Memorial: In 2011, The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a Wisconsin-based organization, targeted the WWII Veterans Memorial, objecting to the presence of any religious symbol on public property. Last August, the U.S. Forest Service initially revoked the Knights of Columbus' long-time permit to maintain the statue on federal lands. Following uproar over that decision, the U.S. Forest Service asked for public comment, which closed on December 8. At that time, Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Knights of Columbus who oversees the memorial, submitted a letter brief to the U.S. Forest Service defending the constitutionality of this statue. Following an outpouring of public support to keep the landmark, the U.S. Forest Service granted renewal of the half-century-old permit to maintain the statue on the 25-by-25 parcel, located on federal lands.

Liberty Institute is a non-profit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious freedoms across America. For additional information, visit www.DontTearMeDown.com.

SOURCE Liberty Institute

Catholic International Education Office Chooses Office 365 for More Than 4.5 Million Students Globally

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Catholic International Education Office Chooses Office 365 for More Than 4.5 Million Students Globally

Alliance to change the dynamics of the modern Catholic classroom and provide students and educators worldwide with tools and training to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.

PR Newswire

REDMOND, Wash., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Catholic International Education Office (OIEC) has entered into an education alliance with Microsoft Corp. to provide Office 365 for its community of Catholic schools across the world as part of a new Social Network for Catholic Education. This will begin with provision of software for 4.5 million students as part of a three-year alliance plan but in time has the potential to scale across OIEC's community of more than 43 million Catholic students at 210,000 schools in 102 countries. The new network will provide innovative software, services, training and access to technologies that will better prepare students for the jobs of the future.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

OIEC's mission includes the promotion of education for all, collaboration within academic communities and the fight against illiteracy worldwide. In an ever-evolving technology landscape, educators in the 21st century face continuing challenges to build skills among teachers and provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to be successful. Working closely with schools around the globe for more than 20 years, Microsoft has a deep appreciation for these challenges. Based on experience, Microsoft currently takes a holistic approach to working with schools, one that's focused on improving educational outcomes for both students and educators that will have the greatest impact in the classroom.

"In alliance with Microsoft, we are entering a new era in global Catholic education," said F. Angel Astorgano, general secretary, OIEC. "We will offer the most advanced technology, knowledge and skills to our schools so our next generation of graduates is prepared for the new challenges of the 21st century."

In a competitive employment landscape, graduates who have developed technology skills are frequently provided with more opportunities. However, many schools around the globe are not able to evolve curriculum quickly enough to keep pace. Many schools simply do not have access to the technologies and training necessary to prepare students for the modern workforce.

"An innovative and forward-thinking Catholic organization is supporting the modernization of their schools, working with Microsoft and mutual partner Tralcom to deliver technology solutions to Catholic students and educators around the world," said Anthony Salcito, vice president of Worldwide Education at Microsoft. "We are excited about delivering on the technology needs of these students and supporting a global community of individuals with shared values, and helping to ensure they are well-equipped for the jobs of tomorrow."

Through the Microsoft education alliance, OIEC will provide access to technology and training to students and teachers, as well as establish an online space for collaboration, communication and information sharing. The alliance with Microsoft consists of the following key elements:

Access to technologies that help enable creativity, research and study, collaboration, and teaching and learning
Creation of an online network for Catholic education and all OIEC schools
Curriculum and training to develop digital literacy skills, help integrate technology into teaching and learning, and provide blueprints for innovative schooling
Access to research findings and tools that measure and promote innovative education practices

Access Is Everything

According to an IDC study, more than half of today's jobs require some technology skills, and that number will increase to 90 percent by 2015. Using workplace technology in a school environment gives students a head start when beginning their careers, whereas students with no access to technology will be at a disadvantage.

Office 365 for education offers powerful collaboration tools, including SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, Lync Online and Office Web Apps, in the cloud for organizations of all sizes. Microsoft Office 365 for education delivers the power of cloud productivity to educational institutions, helping to save time and money while helping to increase student and faculty productivity through a rich set of privacy, security and protection capabilities. With Office 365 for education, OIEC students and educators will be able to do the following:

Communicate using instant messaging and videoconferencing, taking part in virtual classes and transforming any conversation to include high-resolution video, application and desktop sharing
Collaborate across the globe by creating class and group sites, which allow users to view availability of others and work together on projects in real time
View, edit, and share Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote files online with SharePoint Online and Office Web Apps, working together on projects and assignments
Share calendars and access mail and calendars across devices with robust security and reliability
Create and maintain compelling websites and edit them as easily as they would a Word document

In addition, OIEC's community of schools will receive subscriptions for Microsoft Learning Suite, which includes a variety of tools and services that enable educators and students to create, conduct research, study, collaborate and teach.

Innovation Networks Promote Collaboration

Beginning in 2013, components of the Microsoft Innovative Schools and Innovative Teachers programs will be made available to OIEC to help promote innovative teaching and learning practices. As part of these programs, OIEC schools will have access to the Microsoft Partners in Learning Network, which is the largest online teacher and school leader professional networking community in the world with more than 4 million members worldwide.

OIEC will have its own community area within the Partners in Learning Network to allow for collaboration targeted across the Catholic Schools community. In addition, select OIEC schools will participate in the Microsoft Innovative Schools program and will be given additional resources to help promote teaching and learning innovation.

Office 365 for education will be available this summer. More information and sign-up opportunities are available at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/education/school-services.aspx#fbid=vVW9nOnxAjA.

Tralcom will be the supporting technology partner. More information on Tralcom's services can be found at http://www.tralcom.com/eng/index.eng.htm.

More information about Microsoft's customer success stories can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/customerspotlight.

More information about Microsoft Office 365 can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/education/school-services.aspx#fbid=FhNP1ga4j_6.

More information on Microsoft's global education programs can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/education/ww.

More about the Catholic International Education Office can be found at http://www.infoiec.org/index.jsp.

About Tralcom

Founded in 2001, Tralcom Inc (Tralcom Europa SL & Transaction Language Co, SA) is an international company with headquarters in Mexico, which has more than 1.3 million users of its interactive classroom solution (www.classroomcoordinator.com).

About the Catholic International Education Office

Founded in 1952 in Lucerne (Switzerland) the Catholic International Education Office (OIEC) is a non-governmental organization representing world-wide Catholic education as a NGO. The main mission is to promote education for all; to express the active presence of the Church in the world, especially in education to the service of the cultures of the world; to affirm, in the human community of the nations, its will of collaboration to education in all its forms; to promote the Catholic school throughout the world and the training of its teachers as Christian teachers; to fight against illiteracy; to promote an education for all of quality. It groups the national secretariats of Catholic education from each member country (104 countries), organized in five world regions: Africa, America, Europe, Asia and Middle East and North Africa and has the headquarters for General Secretariat established in Brussels (Belgium). OIEC maintains a permanent representation at the Vatican, ONU, UNESCO, FAO & European Union.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

CatholicSingles.com(R) Celebrates Fifteen Year Anniversary with Free Open House and Pilgrimage to Rome

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

CatholicSingles.com(R) Celebrates Fifteen Year Anniversary with Free Open House and Pilgrimage to Rome

PR Newswire

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CatholicSingles.com, the original dating website for Catholic singles brings back its Free Open House taking place this Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, 2012. This year marks a milestone fifteenth anniversary for the site and during the Open House anyone can register and get full access all weekend long.

"When I started working on CatholicSingles.com fifteen years ago, I truly wanted to fill a void and bring like-minded Catholics together. While finding my own match was a goal, I never would have guessed how that journey would unfold," says David Nevarez, President of Catholic Sites, Inc. "With so many wonderful couples having married with our help, it's very satisfying and a privilege to have my chance as well, and we want to take this opportunity to say 'Thank You' to all our current and future members!" David and his new wife, Tricia Delaney, met on CatholicSingles.com. They were wed July 23, 2011 and it is likely the only time a dating site founder has married one of its members.

CatholicSingles.com is also planning a pilgrimage to Rome this November with Regina Tours. All members, their friends and family are invited. Details are available on the site.

About CatholicSingles.com®
CatholicSingles.com, founded in 1997, is the original online dating website created exclusively for Catholic single adults. For more information about the many long-term relationships, engagements, and marriages for which it is responsible you can visit http://www.catholicsingles.com and click on the "Success Stories" link to see just a few of the successes for your self.

SOURCE CatholicSingles.com

Major Catholic Celebration in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Slated for August in LA

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:18:25 +0000

Major Catholic Celebration in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Slated for August in LA

PR Newswire

Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Knights of Columbus announce performers and speakers for free event August 5 at L.A. Coliseum

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tens of thousands of Catholics will gather at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this August in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The event, the "Guadalupe Celebration," will be held on Sunday, August 5, and is the most anticipated Catholic event of the summer.

Today, event cosponsors, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Knights of Columbus, announced the lineup of performers and speakers for the event. Artists include renowned Mexican singer and telenovela star, Pedro Fernandez, international singing sensation Filippa Giordano, and Eurovision Winner Dana Scallon.

Slated to speak at the event are Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, postulator for the Cause for Canonization of St. Juan Diego. Tickets for the free event can be obtained online at GuadalupeCelebration.com/tickets or by calling (323) 287-2007.

"At certain times, the Church gathers together for an event that provides the opportunity for the expression of faith in a very public way," said Archbishop Gomez. "In this celebration we will renew our devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and our commitment to continue the process of evangelization that she began on this continent nearly 500 years ago."

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson added, "We strongly believe that Our Lady of Guadalupe has an important message to share with all of us and has an important role to play in unifying the faithful of this hemisphere. The Guadalupe Celebration will be an opportunity for us to bring Our Lady's message to a large audience joined together in prayer and celebrating the great gift she has given this hemisphere."

In 2009, Anderson co-authored the New York Times bestseller Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love with Msgr. Chavez.

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego — a Native American living in Mexico — in 1531. She left her image miraculously on his cloak, or tilma. Today, the tilma is enshrined in Mexico City's basilica, which stands on the site of the Blessed Mother's apparition. It is the most visited shrine in the Western Hemisphere.

Los Angeles' Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is home to the only relic of St. Juan Diego's tilma in the United States. The archdiocese has also been home to several large-scale Marian events in the past, including 2007's Rosary Bowl in Pasadena, which drew more than 40,000 attendees, and the annual Archdiocesan Procession and Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in East Los Angeles, which typically draws 25,000 attendees.

The Knights of Columbus' devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe reached a milestone with the chartering of their first Mexican council as the "Guadalupe Council" in Mexico City in 1905. Since then, the Knights have done much to spread Our Lady's message, including cosponsoring a U.S. tour of the archdiocese's tilma relic in 2003. The Knights also held their first-ever International Marian Congress in 2009, which concluded with the 22,000-person Guadalupe Festival in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States with more than 5 million Catholics. The diocese was established in 1840, and was elevated to an archdiocese in 1936. Archbishop Gomez is the fifth archbishop of Los Angeles. There are a total of 287 parishes located in 120 cities within its boundaries.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal organization. Last year, Knights donated nearly $155 million and more than 70 million hours of service to charitable causes around the world. Founded in 1882 by Venerable Father Michael McGivney in New Haven, Conn., the Knights of Columbus has grown to over 1.8 million members and 14,000 councils in more than a dozen countries worldwide.

More information on the event may be found at GuadalupeCelebration.com.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

Statement on LA Bag Ban From Reverend Shane B. Scott, Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:38:23 +0000

Statement on LA Bag Ban From Reverend Shane B. Scott, Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reverend Shane B. Scott, Senior Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church today released the following statement regarding the City of Los Angeles' decision to ban plastic bags and impose a regressive tax on paper bags:

"In tough times like these, it's very hard to understand why the City Council would vote for a policy that will eliminate local manufacturing jobs and impose a truly regressive tax that will hurt lower income community members the most. This is a very shortsighted decision that will likely have a number of negative consequences."

Contact:	Reverend Shane B. Scott
	(323) 569-9561

SOURCE Macedonia Baptist Church

Faith-Based Organizations Partner to Fight Malaria

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:47 +0000

Faith-Based Organizations Partner to Fight Malaria

PR Newswire

UMCOR to Join Episcopal Relief & Development's NetsforLife® Program Partnership

NEW YORK, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The relief and development agencies of two mainline Protestant denominations are forming a new strategic partnership to prevent and control malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. By uniting in common mission, Episcopal Relief & Development's award-winning NetsforLife® program partnership and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be able to reach 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110421/DC87843LOGO)

"The strength of our NetsforLife® program and UMCOR is that we both work with churches and other grassroots institutions to fill gaps in health service coverage – mostly in rural areas – and develop solutions that fit the context and challenges of each locality," said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development.

The partnership began informally in 2010, when NetsforLife® and UMCOR began working together to amplify United Methodist and Anglican/Episcopal anti-malaria efforts in Africa. It has been particularly effective in areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.

"The root of our partnership is a shared belief in the strength of African churches to take action, empower local communities to become whole and healthy, change behavior and target resources for greater reach and impact," Radtke continued.

Shannon Trilli, director of UMCOR's Global Health Initiative, said, "There is still much to be done in our malaria prevention work, especially at the community and village level. By joining UMCOR's resources and expertise in developing health-care infrastructure and communications to the NetsforLife® programming, monitoring and evaluation approach, we can strengthen and deepen our impact."

To sustain and grow this life-saving work, both NetsforLife® and UMCOR are raising funds through grassroots campaigns in churches, schools, and other institutions.

In the Episcopal Church, the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund is educating, engaging, and uniting Episcopalians to support Millennium Development Goals and the fight against malaria. The goal of the campaign is to build awareness about this disease and how it can be prevented. It also aims to raise $5 million by December 2012 to help NetsforLife® continue its work.

Imagine No Malaria is an effort of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to eliminate death and suffering caused by malaria in Africa by 2015. The UMC is a founding partner of the United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign, which works through Imagine No Malaria.

Visit www.inspirationfund.org for more information about NetsforLife® and the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund. Donations can also be made by calling 1.855.312.HEAL (4325) or mailing gifts to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please put "NetsforLife® Malaria" in the memo line of all checks.

About Episcopal Relief & Development
As the relief and development organization of the Episcopal Church, Episcopal Relief & Development works with more than 3 million people annually in over 40 countries, through programs that fight poverty and disease. Its malaria program partnership, NetsforLife®, brings together corporations, foundations and faith-based organizations to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership, which has reached more than 37 million people since its inception in 2006, includes the ExxonMobil Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank, the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, Starr International Foundation, the J.C. Flowers Foundation, and Episcopal Relief & Development.

About UMCOR
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States. Our mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering—whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster, with open hearts and minds to all people.

SOURCE Episcopal Relief & Development

Liberty Institute Continues Fight For Church's Rights

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:54:40 +0000

Liberty Institute Continues Fight For Church's Rights

PR Newswire

Briefing Complete: Road is Clear for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to Decide Whether Local Government Can Discriminate Against a Church

Opulent Life Church v. Holly Springs, MS.

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Briefing in an important religious liberty case, Opulent Life Church v Holly Springs, MS, at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is now complete with Liberty Institute's filing of the final reply brief. The court will now decide the fate of the church.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/DC12743LOGO-b )

With a growing congregation, Opulent Life Church sought to move to a new space in the downtown area of Holly Springs, Miss., but due to city zoning restrictions, the church was required to obtain the approval of 60 percent of local property owners and the mayor before it could relocate. No other type of business in Holly Springs is subject to this requirement.

"To place special burdens on churches is unfair and unconstitutional," said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Liberty Institute. "This case could set a valuable precedent for churches across the country. Religious freedom is an inalienable right that should not be granted or prohibited at the whim of a single government official."

In January, Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit on behalf of Opulent Life Church and its pastor, Telsa DeBerry, and sought a preliminary injunction pursuant to the First Amendment and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). The District Court unfortunately denied the injunction.

Liberty Institute is appealing this decision, arguing that the city's zoning ordinance unfairly singles out churches, and is asking the court to reverse the district court's decision and grant the church a preliminary injunction, allowing it to lease the building on the town square.

About Liberty Institute
Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty Institute's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with our nation's founding principles. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

SOURCE Liberty Institute

Shinnyo-en Leads 14th Annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Shinnyo-en Leads 14th Annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i

Honolulu Ceremony among the Largest Memorial Day Observances in the U.S.A.

40,000+ Audience Expected at Ala Moana Beach Park

PR Newswire

TOKYO, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Shinnyo-en (http://www.shinnyoen.org ), the Buddhist denomination in which all people regardless of age, gender, nationality, or religious background can cultivate the innate kernel of enlightenment existing in all beings, announced today confirmed details about the 14th annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i ceremony (http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/).

Lantern Floating Hawai'i 2012 will culminate the day-long public celebrations of one of the largest Memorial Day observances in the U.S.A. at the Ala Moana Beach Park (http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/beach/alamoana.htm) on Monday, May 28, 2012. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM HAST (Midnight EDT) and continue for about ninety minutes. The event will air live on Hawai'i News Now, KGMB and stream live via webcast on Lantern Floating Hawaii (http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/).

Lantern Floating Hawai'i, while sponsored by a Buddhist organization, is a non-denominational, secular observance open and free to everyone. The ceremony is designed to help us remember and honor all the people who have gone before us and helped us, and to renew our compassionate commitment to all people and to all life on earth as we go forward in our lives. A partial list of the many partners, supporters, and honored guests at the ceremony this year includes:

The Honorable Colleen Hanabusa, United States House of Representatives
Major General Robert F. Mathews, United States Army Pacific
General Darryll Wong, Adjutant General, State of Hawai'i, United States Department of Defense
Brigadier General Gary Hara, Army National Guard, State of Hawai'i
Colonel Stanley Fernandez, Sr., Director, Government/Legislative Affairs, Hawai'i Wing, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Ms. Pauline Sato, President, 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans
The Honorable David Louie, Attorney General, State of Hawai'i
The Honorable Brickwood Galuteria, State of Hawai'i Senate
The Honorable Calvin K. Y. Say, Speaker of the House, State of Hawai'i House of Representatives
The Honorable Peter Carlisle, Mayor, City and County of Honolulu
Mr. Douglass Chin, Managing Director, City and County of Honolulu
Mr. Kenneth Silva, Chief, Honolulu Fire Department
Mr. Shia Beckham, Executive Director, Waikiki Health Center
Ms. Kim Gennaula, President, Aloha United Way
Mr. Yoshihiko Kamo, Consul General of Japan
Reverend Ryokan Ara, Bishop, Tendai Hawai'i
Pastor Mary Paik, Head Minister, Nu'uanu Congregational Church of Honolulu
Mr. Frank Pestana, Chair, Board of Trustees, Kawaiaha'o Church, Honolulu
Reverend Jack Ryan, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Honolulu
Rabbi Peter Schaktman, Temple Emanu-El, Honolulu

Preceding the floating of memorial lanterns at sunset will be performances and appearances by:

The Brothers Cazimero (http://www.facebook.com/TheBrothersCazimero)
Raiatea Helm (http://raiateahelm.com/)
Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea (http://www.kalikopuaokalaniakea.com/main/)
Shinnyo-en Taiko Drum and Shomyo Choir Ensembles

Lantern Floating Hawai'i has been conducted annually on Memorial Day in Honolulu since 1999, when it was first brought to Honolulu because of Hawai'i's unique geographical, historic, cultural and demographic profile. The ceremony, held at sunset, is a contemporary adaptation of ancient Asian fire and water ceremonies, (http://www.shinnyoen.org/fire-water-ceremonies.html) designed to awaken compassion for all life and all life forms – present, past and future. While most traditional Buddhist rituals focus on personal awakening, this Shinnyo ceremony is dedicated to awakening people to their innate compassionate and altruistic nature, transcending all boundaries of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and religious tradition, and directing the positive energy of the ceremony outward with the hope that all people can live in a world of hope and harmony.

"Hawai'i is at the center of the largest ocean, a cultural and spiritual midpoint between East and West," said Shinso Ito, the Head Priest of Shinnyo-en (http://www.shinnyoen.org/her-holiness-shinso-ito.html). "Hawai'i has deeply witnessed and expressed both times of suffering and eventually times of reconciliation and harmony among peoples, cultures, and religions of the world. Lantern Floating Hawai'i is offered to all people as a moment when we can honor both the suffering and the enduring compassion that comes to us from the past. I believe that people can come away from Lantern Floating Hawai'i with a renewed compassion, deep respect for all life, and motivation for altruistic service."

Public participation at Lantern Floating Hawai'i is FREE, including free availability of lanterns for the public. Public parking is also free at the Hawai'i Convention Center (http://www.hawaiiconvention.com/files/8-5x11_L2.aspx) from 9:00 AM – Midnight.

Lantern Floating Hawai'i is organized by the Honolulu-based Na Lei Aloha Foundation (http://www.naleialoha.org/), the secular, community-building arm of the Shinnyo Buddhist order in Hawai'i, and is funded and officiated by Shinnyo-en (http://www.shinnyoen.org/).

Online information at:

Shinnyo-en http://www.shinnyoen.org

Shinnyo-en Twitter http://www.twitter.com/shinnyonews

Lantern Floating Hawai'i 2012 http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/

Lantern Floating Hawai'i Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lanternfloatinghawaii

Lantern Floating Hawai'i Twitter http://www.twitter.com/lanternfloating/

Lantern Floating Hawai'i Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/37175635@N08/5847500634/

Lantern Floating Hawai'i YouTube http://www.youtube.com/lanternfloating

About Shinnyo-en (http://www.shinnyoen.org)

Shinnyo-en is a Buddhist denomination originally established in Japan and with members today throughout the world. Shinnyo-en is, first and foremost, a place for Buddhist training, in which all people regardless of age, gender, nationality, or religious background can cultivate their innate buddha nature, the kernel of enlightenment existing in all beings. Shinnyo-en Buddhism is differentiated by its teachings drawn from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, by its deep roots in ancient esoteric Buddhist practices, and by its distinctive form of meditative training, called Sesshin.

Shinnyo-en's first temple outside of Japan was dedicated in Honolulu, Hawai'i in 1971. The Hawai'ian Shinnyo-en community (http://goo.gl/4NA9h) is today one of the largest outside of Japan.

The first Shinnyo-en temple was consecrated in 1938, led by Master Shinjo Ito (1906-1989), who had trained at the Daigoji Monastery, the Shingon temple in Kyoto, Japan (founded 843 CE), one of the historic centers of Japanese esoteric Buddhism. Recognized as an acharya in 1943, Master Shinjo was authorized to establish his own dharma lineage, which became the contemporary Shinnyo-en. Headquartered in Tachikawa, Japan, Shinnyo-en has temples throughout Japan and in other countries, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle).

Shinnyo-en conducts unique fire and water ceremonies (http://www.shinnyoen.org/about-fire-water-ceremonies.html ) based on the ancient Buddhist rituals of homa and merit transfers, several times each year at significant places around the world. Shinnyo-en's ceremony, Lantern Floating Hawai'i, has been conducted in Honolulu since 1999, and is the largest Buddhist ceremony regularly held outside of Asia, with an audience annually exceeding 40,000 people. In recent years, Shinnyo-en has also conducted its Shinnyo fire and water ceremonies on special occasions in Kenya, Taiwan, Germany, and California as well as several times annually in Japan.

The current Head Priest of Shinnyo-en is Her Holiness Shinso Ito (http://www.shinnyoen.org/her-holiness-shinso-ito.html ), the first woman ever to officiate at a Buddhist ceremony at the Daigoji Monastery in the 1,100 year history of the temple, an origin of Japanese esoteric Buddhist practice.

About Na Lei Aloha Foundation (http://www.naleialoha.org)

The Na Lei Aloha Foundation was formed in 2004 as a way for the Shinnyo-en Buddhist order to contribute to the Hawai'i community. The foundation aims to provide people with opportunities to share in experiences that allow the recognition of shared values and beliefs amidst peoples' differences. Along with organizing the annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i every year on Memorial Day, the foundation makes community grants and supports community service and interfaith activities in Hawai'i.

Media Contacts:
Megan Roarty: +646 684 5395
Frank Walton: +212 994 7503

SOURCE Shinnyo-en

CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism at Muslim Home

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:55:55 +0000

CAIR-MN Asks FBI to Probe Hate Vandalism at Muslim Home

PR Newswire

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today called on the FBI to investigate hate vandalism targeting the home of a Somali-American Muslim family in that state.

CAIR-MN reports that sometime during the past weekend, vandals spray-painted a Nazi swastika, the letters "KKK" and the word "stink" on the driveway of the family's Rochester, Minn., home.

SEE: Rochester Family Targeted in Hate Crime
http://tinyurl.com/7uqk8qy

Swastika in Driveway Unsettles Family (Post-Bulletin)
http://bit.ly/KyNC0t

"Minnesotans of all faiths must speak out against the hatred and intolerance that leads to this type of disturbing incident," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya. "State and federal law enforcement authorities should assist in bringing the perpetrators of this apparent bias-motivated crime to justice."

She noted that last May, CAIR-MN asked the FBI to investigate similar graffiti spray-painted on the Rochester home of another Somali Muslim family as a possible hate crime.

SEE: Hate Crime Reported in NW Rochester
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz9ojunKUho

Saroya also urged the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in CAIR's "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit
http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

Last week, CAIR's New York chapter called on the FBI to investigate an apparently bias-motivated attack in which one of the alleged assailants shouted "f------ Arabs" before beating the victim into unconsciousness.

Video: CAIR Asks FBI to Probe NY Anti-Arab Hate Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqJpbBlAds0

This week, a New Jersey mother and daughter were convicted of harassing and damaging the property of an Iranian couple living next door. The Iranian couple was targeted with racial epithets, called "terrorist" and told to go back to Iran.

SEE: Jury Convicts Jersey City Heights Mother and Daughter of Harassing Their Iranian Neighbors
http://tinyurl.com/7xmbdzf

CAIR-NY noted that two women from Niagara Falls were sentenced recently to jail terms for a hate attack on a Muslim woman last summer.

NY: 2 Sentenced in Hate Attack on Muslim Woman (Buffalo News)
http://tinyurl.com/889vlpx

A number of recent reports have documented the growth and promotion of Islamophobia nationwide.

CAIR: Same Hate, New Target
http://tinyurl.com/66enzm8

Center for American Progress: Fear, Inc.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/08/islamophobia.html

Southern Poverty Law Center: Jihad Against Islam
http://tinyurl.com/3qsv2v8

People for the American Way: The Right-Wing Playbook on Anti-Muslim Extremism
http://tinyurl.com/6j9fttw

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: lsaroya@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Eagle Ranch Graduates Largest Class In 27-Year History

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Eagle Ranch Graduates Largest Class In 27-Year History

PR Newswire

CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN, Ga., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Ranch, a Christian home for children in crisis, graduated the largest class in its 27-year history with 26 boys and girls completing the program this spring.

Since opening its doors in 1985, Eagle Ranch has helped more than a thousand children work through difficulties in all aspects of their lives – from family and social relationships to academic performance and more.

The graduating children came from Hall, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Putnam, Forsyth, Habersham, Barrow, Walton and Jackson counties.

"This is an exciting year. We are extremely proud of the young men and women for successfully completing the program," Staub said. "Each graduate represents a family that has been restored, and we are excited to celebrate each child's accomplishments as well as recognize the hard work put in by their family members."

Eagle Ranch is home to nearly 70 boys and girls ages 8-16 from a 20-county region in North Georgia. The integrated program includes home life, counseling and education. While children may live at Eagle Ranch from elementary through high school, the program is structured to motivate them toward returning home as soon as possible. Parents or legal guardians play an important role in the Eagle Ranch program.

About Eagle Ranch

Eagle Ranch works with children in crisis, focusing on family restoration and reunification. Founded in 1985, the Ranch serves children from North Georgia and metro Atlanta, providing home life, counseling and education for the children on a 270-acre campus in southern Hall County. It is the largest long-term residential facility for children in Georgia. Through its global outreach program – the Wings Initiative – Eagle Ranch also equips others called to develop homes for children in need. Charity Navigator has given Eagle Ranch its top 4-star rating. For more information, contact Eagle Ranch at 770-967-8500. On the web, log onto EagleRanch.org, or visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/EagleRanch.

For more information, contact:
Stefanie Long
Director of Communications
770-967-8500 ext. 245
Slong@EagleRanch.org

SOURCE Eagle Ranch

Fostering People Ireland Announces Recruitment Events

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:10:16 +0000

Fostering People Ireland is holding events in County Kildare (23 May 2012) and County Dublin (6 June 2012) to address the growing number of children in need of foster care.

DUBLIN, IRELAND, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Fostering People Ireland, the non-statutory Dublin-based fostering agency, has announced two upcoming events aimed at recruiting more carers to help the growing number of children in need of care in the capital and the surrounding area. Fostering People Ireland has grown its reputation since its launch in September 2011, but remains in need of qualified, enthusiastic carers.

The first event will be held at Maudlin House Hotel in Naas, County Kildare on 23 May 2012 from 4pm - 8pm. The second event will be held on 6 June 2012 at the Premier Inn, Airparks in Swords, County Dublin from 4pm - 8pm. Refreshments will be provided at both events.

The fostering agency based in Dublin is encouraging people from all walks of life to come and talk to their advisors about all things fostering, from qualities needed to become a foster carer to fees and allowances. The events are an ideal opportunity for people to have an informal chat with the agency's foster care experts in order to see if caring would be a good fit for them.

Whilst Foster Care Fortnight is in full swing in the UK, Fostering People Ireland is determined to keep the spotlight firmly on addressing the growing need for carers in the Dublin area.

Lesley Dale, Service Manager at Fostering People Ireland, said: "Events like these are crucial in helping people find out whether fostering is right for them. Whether they are able to drop by for a quick chat or stay for a drink to discuss fostering, we can provide the information that can help them make the decision that has the potential to change the lives of children in need.

"Fostering People have really made a name for themselves in Ireland as an independent fostering agency with a great network of support for its foster carers. We hope that these events will help us get that message across and convince people that deciding to become a foster carer is life changing."

About Fostering People Ireland:

Fostering People is a non-statutory fostering agency based in Glasnevin, Dublin. Working in partnership with the HSE, Fostering People provides high quality family-based placements for children in need of foster care.

Fostering People is a part of the international Core Assets Group, providing positive outcomes for children and young people around the world through high quality social care services.

Website: http://www.fosteringpeople.ie

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