Deacon Jim Chappell (seated, left foreground) prepares with HCA senior students for their meeting with Assemblyman Bill Magee during the “Catholics at the Capitol” public policy advocacy day in Albany.

(Oneida Castle, NY – March 2012) Holy Cross Academy’s senior class travelled to Albany on Tuesday March 13 to participate in the annual “Catholics at the Capitol” public policy advocacy day.

Catholic bishops from the eight dioceses in New York, including Syracuse’s Bishop Robert Cunningham, joined more than 1,000 citizens at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The event is organized by the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the Bishops of New York State in matters of public policy.

Deacon Jim Chappell, HCA’s 12th grade government and economics teacher, has made this trip an annual part of his course.

“The seniors’ participation [at ‘Catholics at the Capitol’] is a natural, ‘hands-on’ follow-up to our study of American Government in the fall semester,” said Chappell. “In studying the US Constitution, the three branches of government, our state and local governments, and the political process, their participation in public policy advocacy makes real the theory we explored during the course.”

After an early 6:15 a.m. departure from HCA, the group arrived in Albany to register and to meet with Assemblyman Bill Magee at his office.  In the meeting, students advocated for the legislative priorities of the NYS Catholic Conference, including support for pregnant women and opposition to abortion, reimbursement to Catholic schools for state-mandated services, and protecting the poor, immigrants and the incarcerated.

Afterwards they stopped by Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney’s office, and later met briefly with Bishop Cunningham.

Public Policy Day concluded in the afternoon with a short procession from the convention center to Immaculate Conception Cathedral, led by the Knights of Columbus.  Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany then offered Mass at the Cathedral.

Though he was unable to attend Tuesday’s event, Cardinal Timothy Dolan joined fellow bishops a day earlier for a meeting at the state Capitol with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate majority leader Dean G. Skelos.

Chappell explained what he hoped the seniors would take from their experience in Albany.

“I would hope that they will recognize and appreciate the importance and necessity to be involved in the political process of our country,” Chappell said. “I would hope that they will also recognize their responsibility goes beyond simply getting someone elected. All must work to influence our elected officials in a positive manner as to the values we expect of them in conducting their office and in their voting.”