Catholics asked to step up for Maryland’s Virtual Catholic Advocacy Day February 5, 2026By Gerry Jackson Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland Catholic Conference, Maryland General Assembly, News Catholics are asked to put their faith into action again Feb. 11 for Maryland’s Virtual Catholic Advocacy Day, the largest annual multi-issue advocacy outreach organized by the Maryland Catholic Conference. The MCC is the official public policy organization for the Maryland-serving dioceses of Baltimore, Washington and Delaware. It organizes the event, which includes action alerts on up to six topics before the Maryland General Assembly of interest to Catholics. Advocacy staff for the MCC will prepare action alerts on up to six bills under consideration by the Maryland General Assembly at the time of Advocacy Day. The alerts will be posted on the Conference Action Center, mdcatholic.org/take-action, the morning of Feb. 11. Parishioners then can sign and send messages to their legislators on the issues they choose. “We try to make advocacy as easy as possible,” said Jenny Kraska, MCC executive director, in a media release. “We know people care about the issues, but they also are busy,” she said. “Our advocacy team identifies legislation that is important to us as faithful Catholics in three areas: life; education and youth justice; and social and economic justice. We prepare action alerts so all parishioners need to do is select the alerts they care about, sign and click send to share their position with the elected officials who represent them.” Kraska said conference staff members are grateful to everyone who takes part. “Senators and delegates often tell how much they appreciate getting messages from their constituents. We also have found that constituent messages can help those who may not agree with us rethink their position,” she said. The MCC will send out additional action alerts during the 90-day assembly session, but Virtual Catholic Advocacy Day is the largest advocacy event of the session. The MCC is ramped up for numerous changes in 2026, especially since the assembly has a new Speaker of the House and there are numerous committee changes in both the House and Senate. Thousands of bills are expected since legislators often posture during election years. One of the MCC’s top priorities is maintaining current levels of funding for the state’s BOOST program, which provides scholarships to help parents afford private schools for their children. Other major legislative concerns for Catholics that will likely be addressed by the general assembly include health and safety grants, affordable housing, immigration cooperation, youth justice, respect life issues and the effect of budget shortfalls. Click here for more information: Catholic Advocacy Day – Maryland Catholic Conference Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org Read More Local News Archbishop Lori will celebrate vigil for peace Fired Planned Parenthood whistleblower addresses Maryland March for Life Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic schools name new associate superintendent Radio Interview: A conversation with local converts Parishes get training to be welcoming, but alert to safety Father Joseph P. Lacey, S.J., longtime pastor of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, dies at 85 Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media Print
