WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd said House passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Sept. 17 is a "huge win for women." The measure, H.R. 2694, prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for job applicants or employees affected "by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions." This applies to private sector employers with over 15 employees as well as public sector employers.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem around the world were experiencing their own COVID-19 lockdowns, they contributed some $3.5 million to a special fund to support the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, especially its schools and charitable outreach.

BRAINTREE -- On Sept. 11, the archdiocese announced that the Holy See has dismissed John P. Lyons from the clerical state. This means that he may no longer function in any capacity as a priest. Born in 1928, Lyons was ordained in February 1955. His first assignment was at Immaculate Conception Parish in Weymouth, where he served until 1964. After that, he served at Our Lady of Presentation in Brighton until 1982, followed by a year at St. Anselm Parish in Sudbury. After a leave of health, he served as associate pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in West Abington from 1984 to 1986. He served as the pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Rochester from 1986-2002.