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.
The recent news about St. Joseph Hospital in Hot Springs selling out to the company that owns National Park Hospital (a for-profit hospital), is upsetting to many. My mother did her nurses training at St. Joseph's in the 1950s and later returned to work there as a nurse for over 20 years. Anyone who now works there or is a potential patient there has real concerns about the future employment or the quality of care that will be offered there. Some of you may not be aware that Bishop Taylor issued a statement of concern the day after the announcement of St. Joseph's plans for the future were announced. He has concern for all those I mentioned above, as well as the poor in the area who will need medical care in the future. He has let it be known that he has not yet been consulted or informed on this matter, and insists that he be included and that his concerns be addressed by the Mercy Health System and any future owner of this hospital. As I write this column on the feast of St. Joseph, the Worker, I urge all of us to pray for all involved in this issue and especially ask for the intercession of St. Joseph that the best solution possible will be reached and good health care will be available to all who live in this part of the state of Arkansas.