Featured Local Link Maryland Catholic Conference -- The Maryland Catholic Conference was created by the bishops of Maryland to advance the mutual public-policy and pastoral interests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Diocese of Wilmington. Positions on public policy developed by the departments and adopted by the Conference's Board of Governors are advocated in Maryland and the Nation's Capital. Here in the State, Conference representatives work in Annapolis with members of the General Assembly, the Governor and state agencies. In Washington, the primary focus of the Conference's advocacy efforts in Maryland's 10-member delegation to the U.S. Congress. Resources for Franciscans Franciscan Resources & Documents -- Resources for spirituality and history that will be of interest to the Secular Franciscan The Franciscan Experience -- Background and materials to reference on the history of the Franciscan movement as well as items of interest to read about St. Francis and St. Clare The Franciscan Cord -- These articles are reprinted from The Cord: A Franciscan Spiritual Review. The Cord is published by the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778. Subscriptions are $20.00 per year. The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) home page -- Home base (if I can call it that!) which has a wealth of inspirational materials -- and a wealth of information about Franciscans in general. The Franciscan Minister General's Page -- with links, prayers, information, and a library of resources that goes back for a few years. St. Margaret of Cortona Region -- The DC/Maryland/Virginia Region of the Secular Franciscan Order, USA SFO International -- Information on the Secular Franciscan Order Worldwide The Capuchin Franciscans -- Lots of good and interesting materials on the Capuchins, including exciting new information on upcoming action on Capuchin Blesseds! Daily Prayer Online -- Produced by the Irish Jesuits. A great site to take a break and review the Gospel text for the day online. Updated Daily! Franciscan Prayers and More! -- I have always been very impressed with this web site. There's a treasure trove of wonderful things here to see, enjoy, and reflect on! The Basilica of Saint Francis in Sicily -- take a vacation to Sicily without ever leaving the comfort of your desk and modem. Catholic Encyclopedia -- an invaluable resource chock full of information about all things Catholic Today's Readings -- Forgot to review today's readings? Take a look at the Bishop's site and review them before you go to Mass. EWTN -- The best Catholic Cable Network is also an incredible resource for prayers. Also -- check out their mini-sites which cover a wealth of interesting topics -- like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and recently cannonized saints. Franciscan Links to other Fraternities -- an incredible listing of who's who and where they are! The Vatican's Official Web Site -- what more can I add to that description! Bread for the World -- a nationwide Christian citizens movement seeking justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers. The Order of Saint Benedict -- Benedictine spirituality, prayers, insights and meditations -- and more! A minute's retreat is just a mouse click away! Archdiocese of Washington Website -- A good web site for review of current events and the concerns of the Archdiocese of Washington. Organizations Working with Those Living With Disabilities National Catholic Partnership on Disability -- is the disability voice of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. NCPD was established in 1982 to further the implementation of the 1978 Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities, which calls for full inclusion of all persons with disabilities in the Church and in society. It is a vision we are still working urgently to achieve. We publish a newsletter, offer various information resources and present Catholic perspectives on disability issues. The Alban Institute and National Organization on Disability -- The Alban Institute (7315 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 1250 West, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3211) and the National Organization on Disability (910 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 have produced an interesting pamphlet on creative ways to reach out and accommodate the physically impaired. It documents the principle: If there is a will and spirit to include everyone in our churches, a way can be found to do it. It can be read in its entirety by clicking on the link to the Institute up above. Faith and Light -- Faith and Light is an international, Christian, ecumenical movement located in 75 countries on 5 continents comprising more than 1350 communities. This movement supports persons with developmental disabilities, their families and friends who gather regularly as local communities. Faith and light was founded by Jean Vanier and Marie-Helene Mathieu in France in 1971. It was born in a Roman Catholic context out of a desire to belong and out of the pain of rejection and it is growing worldwide through the hope that it awakens among those who experience its dynamic spirituality. One of the goals of Faith and Light is to integrate its members in the churches. (202) 526-3222 National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry -- The National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry is a nonprofit membership organization of persons with and without disabilities working and praying together for the good of the whole Church to realize justice for persons of all abilities in the parish and in religious, social and civic life. We share with you and invite you to share with us. (800) 736-1280 National Catholic Office for the Deaf -- "Spread God's message through the support of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pastoral Ministry so that we may all be one in Christ!" (301) 577-1684 Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators -- As part of the University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, the Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators, serves as a support network and resource to individuals with disabilities and their families by providing conferences, video and print resources, consultations, workshops and networking opportunities on the national and local level. University of Dayton, OH (888) 532-3389 Victorious Missionaries -- The Victorious Missionaries provide a spiritual network for persons with a disability or chronic illness. The VMs are headquartered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois. (618) 394-6281 CUSA -- Are you ready for a challenge? Are you a person with a with chronic illness or disability? CUSA may be just what you are looking for.