I found this prayer on the USCCB web site. As usual, our bishops are leading us in the right direction. God of all nations, Father of the human family, we give you thanks for the freedom we exercise and the many blessings of democracy we enjoy in these United States of America. We ask for your protection and guidance for all who devote themselves to the common good, working for justice and peace at home and around the world. We... Read more
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Pope Benedict XVI both sent letters of congratulations to President Obama today. I found it personally heartening when I read that along with congratulations and assurances of the bishops’ continued prayers for the President, Cardinal Dolan also made a statement for the United States Bishops: “We will continue to stand in defense of life, marriage and our first, most cherished liberty, religious freedom.” Thank you Cardinal Dolan. I needed to read that. I am going to... Read more
I voted. Did you? Were there long lines? Did you have any problems with the other votes on the ballot? Are you satisfied with the choices we had, or would you like something (as in someone) better next time around? Let’s share our voting experiences in the comments section. Maybe we can inspire some someone somewhere who is thinking about not voting to go cast that ballot. Today we are electing the next President of the United States of America.... Read more
Same sex marriage is one of the lightning rod issues of our day. The Catholic Church has stood firm in its 2000 year commitment to marriage as a sacrament between one man and one woman. This costly fidelity has focused the rage and hatred of fair number of people on the Church and on all Catholics. Since people in a number of states will be voting on same-sex marriage today, I’ve decided to post the discussion about it that I... Read more
One in four American voters is Catholic. That makes us an important block of votes. The Church has consistently been nuanced and honest in its teaching about elections and civic responsibility. Despite pressure from more-Catholic-than-the-Popes on one side and holier-than-Christs on the other, the Church has refused to repudiate any part of the Gospels of Christ. Social Justice Catholics and Pro Life Catholics are both right in advocating for their causes. They are both wrong, grievously so, in claiming that... Read more
This op-ed piece from Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the widow of Senator Edward Kennedy, is from the Cape Cod Times. Question 2 Insults Ted Kennedy’s Memory By ColumnCredit VICTORIA REGGIE KENNEDY October 27, 2012 There is nothing more personal or private than the end of a family member’s life, and I totally respect the view that everyone else should just get out of the way. I wish we could leave it that way. Unfortunatelyh, Question 2, the so-called “Death with Dignity”... Read more
Tomorrow is election day. Let me say that again. Tomorrow is election day. We’ve said that our freedom to vote is bought with blood so many times that it’s become a cliche. What we haven’t said is that this simple act of voting is also power. There’s a reason why all these candidates have been driving us crazy with ads, polls and debates for the past year. We have the power. We can pick who we want to lead this... Read more
We’ll know Wednesday if it was enough, but polls indicate that support for traditional marriage is on the rise in states which will vote on it tomorrow. A recent CNA article says in part: Washington D.C., Nov 3, 2012 / 08:47 am (CNA).- Recent polls show increasing support for marriage being the union of one man and one woman in states that will soon cast ballots on whether to legalize “gay marriage.” “Our opponents are hugely outspending us and had... Read more
Blessed John Paul II is one of my favorite thinkers. He said quite a few things which I think are worth pondering in light of Tuesday’s election. I’ve listed some of them below for your prayerful reflection. Have a blessed Sunday. The Value of Human Beings and Human Life “The commandment you shall not kill even in its more positive aspects of respecting, loving, and promoting human life, is binding on every individual human being.”~Evangelium Vitae-Gospel of Life Pope John... Read more
I’ve decided to post a blessing and a prayer from Blessed John Paul II. I feel almost as if I am sending it to you as a gift on this Sunday before the election. It is a call to Christians, everywhere. We were made for these times, my friends. It is our duty, our call, our privilege, to stand for Christ in today’s world. Pray for our country and our world today. Take time to reflect on what’s before us... Read more
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