We are a little over two weeks away from the general election. There have been and continue to be, strong feelngs and thinking about the upcoming election, especially when it has to do with who will be elected our president. So much attention is being given to it, that other races for various elected positions, are being ignored by some, and ballot initiatives are also not being given much attention by some in the electorate. I urge you to spend time reviewing the ballot issues long before you go to the poll to vote. Being sufficiently and properly prepared to vote, is imperative if we want our vote to truly express what we believe and want to happen on the local, state and national level.
As far as preparation to vote, I want to quote Pope Francis who was asked by a reporter on October 2 to comment about the upcoming presidential election. He said: "The people are soveriegn. Study the proposals well, pray, and choose in conscience." I hope all Catholics and everyone of faith who will vote follow the guidance of our pope AND the Church's teaching before going to the polls. Our United States Bishops give us the means to form our consciences sufficiently and correctly through the document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" which you can Google and pull up in its entirety. Doing so, in my opinion, is far better than finding, watching and passing on homilies on the subject of the upcoming election from particular prients in Arizona, Colorado, or other places. Our bishops are clear about the subject of forming one's conscience on page 14, paragraph 17, in the document above when they say, "Catholics have a serious and lifelong obligation to form their conscience in accord with human reasoning and the teaching of the Church. While I don't have the space in this column to quote too much from the bishop's teaching on forming consciences for faithful citizenship, I urge you to read the whole document and give special attention to what is said on page 18, paragraphs 34-37. I would like to as least quote one of these paragraphs here. It says in paragraph 37: "In making these decisions, it is essential for Catholics to be guided by a well-formed conscience that recognizes that all issues do not carry the same moral weight and that the moral obligation to oppose policies promoting intrinsically evil acts (see paragraph 34) has a special claim on our consciences and actions. These decisions should take into account a candidate's commitments, character, integrity, and ability to influence a given issue."
While something tells me I might quote more of the document in next week's pastor's column, I again urge everyone to read it in its entirety, be informed on the candidates and their positions, and most importantly, PRAY BEFORE GOING TO THE POLLS!
As far as preparation to vote, I want to quote Pope Francis who was asked by a reporter on October 2 to comment about the upcoming presidential election. He said: "The people are soveriegn. Study the proposals well, pray, and choose in conscience." I hope all Catholics and everyone of faith who will vote follow the guidance of our pope AND the Church's teaching before going to the polls. Our United States Bishops give us the means to form our consciences sufficiently and correctly through the document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" which you can Google and pull up in its entirety. Doing so, in my opinion, is far better than finding, watching and passing on homilies on the subject of the upcoming election from particular prients in Arizona, Colorado, or other places. Our bishops are clear about the subject of forming one's conscience on page 14, paragraph 17, in the document above when they say, "Catholics have a serious and lifelong obligation to form their conscience in accord with human reasoning and the teaching of the Church. While I don't have the space in this column to quote too much from the bishop's teaching on forming consciences for faithful citizenship, I urge you to read the whole document and give special attention to what is said on page 18, paragraphs 34-37. I would like to as least quote one of these paragraphs here. It says in paragraph 37: "In making these decisions, it is essential for Catholics to be guided by a well-formed conscience that recognizes that all issues do not carry the same moral weight and that the moral obligation to oppose policies promoting intrinsically evil acts (see paragraph 34) has a special claim on our consciences and actions. These decisions should take into account a candidate's commitments, character, integrity, and ability to influence a given issue."
While something tells me I might quote more of the document in next week's pastor's column, I again urge everyone to read it in its entirety, be informed on the candidates and their positions, and most importantly, PRAY BEFORE GOING TO THE POLLS!
The story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus reminds us of the importance of giving thanks to God and to those who touch our lives and the lives of other people in a Christ-like way. The Samaritan was the only one who returned to give thanks to Jesus, and he was further blessed to hear Jesus tell him the great news that his faith had saved him from the sickness that he thought he would have for the rest of his life.
If I thought about it for a short time, I would recognize that I could use part of my pastor's column each week to give thanks to God for people in our parish who have been generous with their time and in some cases their treasure, for others. This week I must thank manyof my brother Knights of Columbus who spent at least two hours last weekend standing in various locations to collect money for the Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. I was privileged to be one of them, and witness at the West Gate, many people of all faiths give to this worthy cause.
Over the last number of weeks we have heard from various people before Mass who encouraged more participation in the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, Men's Club, and music ministry at Mass. I hope at least some of you are considering participating in these activities. I would like to give a written encouragement for more of our men to become Knights of Columbus in Council 10208 here in Hot Springs Village. There are too many reasons why I believe the Knights are for every Catholic man for me to mention here. Perhaps I will dedicate a future pastor's column to doing just that. I am proud to say that we have one of the best Councils that I have ever been associated with as a priest.
Right now I want to say "THANK YOU" to all who go beyond the pews for Mass to put their faith into action in the ways I have mentioned and more. Keep up the good work!
If I thought about it for a short time, I would recognize that I could use part of my pastor's column each week to give thanks to God for people in our parish who have been generous with their time and in some cases their treasure, for others. This week I must thank manyof my brother Knights of Columbus who spent at least two hours last weekend standing in various locations to collect money for the Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. I was privileged to be one of them, and witness at the West Gate, many people of all faiths give to this worthy cause.
Over the last number of weeks we have heard from various people before Mass who encouraged more participation in the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, Men's Club, and music ministry at Mass. I hope at least some of you are considering participating in these activities. I would like to give a written encouragement for more of our men to become Knights of Columbus in Council 10208 here in Hot Springs Village. There are too many reasons why I believe the Knights are for every Catholic man for me to mention here. Perhaps I will dedicate a future pastor's column to doing just that. I am proud to say that we have one of the best Councils that I have ever been associated with as a priest.
Right now I want to say "THANK YOU" to all who go beyond the pews for Mass to put their faith into action in the ways I have mentioned and more. Keep up the good work!
We have just exited September which was busy, busy, busy in many ways through activities of the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club and Ladies of the Sacred Heart. Many people were involved in happenings that raised money and/or did good for others. I thank the Lord for all this and especially for the people who gave of themselves for the benefit of others, with those "others" often being people they don't even know. All the while, we have our "Helping Hands Ministry" reaching out daily to parishioners who have various needs which they cannot take care of or do on their own anymore.
I want to encourage those who have transportation issues, or are alone and could benefit from someone who could communicate with them on a daily or regular basis, to call one of our coordinators, Cathy Wedwick (915-8456) or Pat Widlowski (922-1395) to see if "Helping Hands" can help in these or in other ways. If you know of someone who is in need of "Helping Hands" services, please encourage them to call one of our coordinators, or you take the initiative to call Cathy or Pat with the name of the person in need and his or her contact information. I'd better also ask more of you who have some time and the heart of Christ, to offer to serve in our "Helping Hands Ministry." You will find your efforts not only helpful to some in need, but also a blessing for you in a number of ways.
Looking ahead, October looks busy in many ways. I pray you will share in the busyness and the blessings that come to those who participate in the ministries and activities that are happening in this wonderful parish!
I want to encourage those who have transportation issues, or are alone and could benefit from someone who could communicate with them on a daily or regular basis, to call one of our coordinators, Cathy Wedwick (915-8456) or Pat Widlowski (922-1395) to see if "Helping Hands" can help in these or in other ways. If you know of someone who is in need of "Helping Hands" services, please encourage them to call one of our coordinators, or you take the initiative to call Cathy or Pat with the name of the person in need and his or her contact information. I'd better also ask more of you who have some time and the heart of Christ, to offer to serve in our "Helping Hands Ministry." You will find your efforts not only helpful to some in need, but also a blessing for you in a number of ways.
Looking ahead, October looks busy in many ways. I pray you will share in the busyness and the blessings that come to those who participate in the ministries and activities that are happening in this wonderful parish!