Dear Father Jenkins

We are students and alumni of Notre Dame fighting for the protection of our consciences, our faith, and our university. We pray in a special way this Lenten season for the university to proclaim — boldly & unapologetically— the Catholic mission of Notre Dame.

We petition Fr. Jenkins to take action against the unjust HHS mandate imposed by our government with a series of letters over the 40 days of Lent.

April 7, 2012: As we arrive at Holy Saturday, the final day before our Lord’s glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday, we submit the "Unacceptable" statement as a letter to Father Jenkins and prayerfully request that he add his signature to its closing.

Father Jenkins, throughout Lent we have prayed for your strength and the grace necessary to proclaim the “good news” by standing athwart the bad. — As the disciples rejoiced on the other side of these mysterious three days of the Triduum, encountering the Resurrected Christ and understanding, finally, the trial and suffering that had taken place, may you also receive this same abiding peace as encounter your unenviable mission. Our prayers will remain with you.

To participate, please submit your letter to dearfrjenkins@gmail.com

Apr 4 2012

Day 37- Frank M. Guilfoyle ‘81

Dear Father Jenkins,

While I could probably write pages about my opinions regarding the outrageous HHS mandate, I would like to approach this from a different direction.  As an ‘81 Notre Dame graduate, I have longed for the time when my beloved University would be recognized as the de facto national and world leader in Catholic teaching.  Our Lady’s University should be a beacon of faithful Catholic higher education manifest with its fidelity to the Magesterium of the Catholic Church.

The different direction? Our second daughter is a Junior at Roanoke Catholic High School in Roanoke, VA.  All things equal, she has an incredibly strong interest in attending Notre Dame.  Our conversations with her regarding Notre Dame and whether or not it would be the best Catholic school for her have been somewhat awkward.  I simply can’t tell her it is the best Catholic college.  The tepid response of the University to the HHS mandate is just a current example of how Notre Dame is letting down our students, alumni and faithful Catholics around the world.  My daughter is an incredibly special young Catholic woman.  The discussion she and other students at her school are having regarding the current events surrounding the HHS and Catholic institutions is confusing to them.  Consequently, my wife and I are struggling in knowing how to give the best guidance and direction to our daughter. PLEASE help us and parents everywhere with staunch and faithful leadership.

Frank M. Guilfoyle ‘81

To participate, please submit your letter to dearfrjenkins@gmail.com

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