A few weeks ago, my wife and I went back to our old Church, St. Louise de Marillac (now part of St. Catherine of Laboure Parish), for a Mass being offered for my Dad, who died a little over 3 years ago. St. Louise is where my brothers and I went to school…my kids attended there as well. My Mother is still a Parishioner after nearly 50 years.
The bad news is that the 6PM Saturday Mass that we went to religiously (no pun intended), was sparsely attended compared to 10 years ago, when we moved away. COVID may be partially to blame, but numbers were dwindling before that…potential subject for another blog. The really good news is that the Pastor and Celebrant, Fr. Dan Maurer, gave a great homily on the sanctity of life, specifically referencing the unborn.
Fr. Dan told the story of his nephew’s baby, who was born prematurely at little over 1 pound. He spoke of the numerous pictures, where he got to see first-hand the baby’s development, finally being released from the hospital and now living a healthy life. He then pivoted, indicating that many in our country would have instead aborted that beautiful little baby, who was deserving of his God given life.
He spoke of the power of prayer, which he indicated had to impact the overturning of Roe v. Wade after 49 years, allowing for the legal (morally reprehensible) killing of 50 million babies during its tenure. Fr. Dan went on to say that while prayer is incredibly important, so is action, indicating that we’re all responsible for taking it, i.e., as things go to the states related to abortion legislation.
After Mass, not rehearsed but independent of one another, my Mother and I both thanked Fr. Dan for his courage. It’s disappointing to me that we infrequently hear our Clergy, including our Bishops, speaking out on behalf of the unborn. Related to our faith, I don’t think there’s a more important issue, one that Fr. Dan pointed to as not just political, but moral and central to what we believe.
We have an election coming up. As indicated in the past, it’s not my role to tell you how to vote. As Catholics, I’d suggest we all reference what the Church has to say on different issues, including abortion. In a blog, I posted on October 14, 2020, I shared what the Church advocates on numerous issues (summarized below), that include:
- Human Life – all human life, from the unborn to the elderly, is to be protected.
- Promoting Peace – Catholics must work to avoid war and promote peace.
- Marriage and Family Life – Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; the family structure is fundamental to society and is to be protected.
- Religious Freedom – US policy should promote religious liberty vigorously,
- Preferential Option for the Poor and Economic Justice – Welfare policy should address both the economic and cultural factors that contribute to family breakdown.
- Health Care – Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental human right.
- Immigration – Recognizing a nation’s right to control its borders and maintain the rule of law, immigrants are to be treated fairly and compassionately.
- Catholic Education – Parents, the first and most important educators, have a fundamental right to choose the education best suited to the needs of their children, including public, private, and religious schools.
- Promoting Justice and Countering Violence – An ethic of responsibility, rehabilitation, and restoration should be a foundation for the reform of our broken criminal justice system.
- Combatting Unjust Discrimination – It is important for our society to continue to combat any unjust discrimination, whether based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age, as these are grave injustices and affronts to human dignity.
- Care for Our Common Home – Protecting the land, water, and air we share is a religious duty of stewardship.
- Communications, Media, and Culture – Regulation is needed that respects freedom of speech yet also addresses policies that have lowered standards, permitted increasingly offensive material, and reduced opportunities for non-commercial religious programming.
- Global Solidarity – The United States has a unique opportunity to use its power in partnership with others to build a more just and peaceful world.
Fr. Dan suggested we need to take action. Whether that’s voting, caring for those in need, or working to promote the Church’s pro-life position, we are called to act as guided by our prayer. Both are important. The question I’ll leave us with…what are you doing; what am I doing to be the change you/we want to see?
As always, please feel free to contact me at Mark@MarkJosephMinistries.com, with questions, comments, concerns, or challenges. Prayer requests are welcome too.
God Bless you on your Path to Peace, Joy, and Fulfillment!!!
God Made you for Greatness!!!
Mark Joseph