If you were at Mass last weekend, you know I shared the pulpit with Bishop Taylor by reading an article in the "Arkansas Catholic" that was penned by him on the issue of Capital Punishment.  I was touched when I first read it, by the personal witness the bishop gave about his own experiences with people who were murdered, as well as at least one person who had killed someone, whom the bishop ministered to untill he was executed by the state of Oklahoma.  I urge you to read what the bishop shared in this article through the insert in the bulletin.  I pray that you will then join me (and I hope many others) in contacting Governor Hutchinson and urging him to commute the death sentences of those in Arkansas who are on death row and are scheduled to be executed, the first one being in October.  Also urge him, and our state legislators, to propose and pass a new law outlawing executions of convicted criminals in our state.  We are called by the Gospel to promote a culture of life and to lead others to the truth that ALL human life is precious to God and should be protected from harm from all, including those who sadly believe that the death penalty is needed today.

I Googled Governor Asa Hutchinson and got a site where I could send an e-mail to him, which I plan to do.  The other option for me AND you is to send a letter to him by mail.  The address is State Capitol Room 250 at 500 Woodland Avenue, Little Rock, Ar 72201.  Remember the passage from the letter of James last weekend urges us to act on our faith.  I pray that in this and in many ways, we all will do so.  Amen.