A joy-filled Pentecost to all of you! I use this greeting because I have seen the word joy throughout this Easter Season in the prayers and readings at Mass and in the expression and attitude of so many, especially our newly Baptized and Confirmed members. Even though the Easter season ends with the celebration of Pentecost, hopefully many of us will continue to ask the Holy Spirit to make us joy-filled in our attitude and actions for The Lord and His good news of salvation. Pope Benedict, in his visit to the United States said, "Let us implore from God the grace of a new Pentecost for the Church in America." There is no doubt, with actions that threaten our religious liberty and laws, along with actions that lead to and allow the taking of the most innocent life (the unborn); and, with so many people worried in these tough economic times of whether their basic need will be met, we need the Holy Spirit's help in our country and in our individual lives. COME HOLY SPIRIT.
During this (or any) election year, it is important that every American who is able, plans to cast his/her ballot for candidates that (s)he feels will best serve our country in the positions they are running for. As Christians, our call is to follow in His way of love in all matters including the choices we make for people to serve in elected office.
The bishops of the United Sates want to help us to be faithful to the Gospel of Christ in this and in all matters. To that end, they produced a reflection entitled "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" to help us make informed decisions at the polls. A summary of that document is inserted in the bulletin this weekend. Please read this, reflect on it, and bring it to prayer at your leisure. Then inform yourself on what positions and goals the candidates for elected office have, before deciding who will receive your vote at election time. What a responsibility and a privilege we have to make our voices heard and to help influence the direction of our country in its future. I pray that all our efforts will bear fruit in the ways of The Lord for us and for future generations.
The bishops of the United Sates want to help us to be faithful to the Gospel of Christ in this and in all matters. To that end, they produced a reflection entitled "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" to help us make informed decisions at the polls. A summary of that document is inserted in the bulletin this weekend. Please read this, reflect on it, and bring it to prayer at your leisure. Then inform yourself on what positions and goals the candidates for elected office have, before deciding who will receive your vote at election time. What a responsibility and a privilege we have to make our voices heard and to help influence the direction of our country in its future. I pray that all our efforts will bear fruit in the ways of The Lord for us and for future generations.
At last count, 271 families from our parish have contributed $29,747 to the 2012 Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA). An additional $24,857 has been pledged. This compares with our final total of 333 families giving a total of $76,788 in 2011. If you are not among those who have given this year, please respond to the recent mailing appeal or get an envelope from the table in the narthex and make a one-time gift or pledge to support the MANY ministries and charities that are doing the Lord's work in the vineyard of Arkansas. No gift is too small (or too large). I pray that we can meet or exceed what we did last year, especially in numbers of families that give. Thanks to those who have already given, and thanks in advance to those who will be inspired to give in the weeks ahead. God bless you (as always) for your generosity.