It will be nice this weekend to enjoy watching football without political ads! The election was declared on Election Day (well the wee hours of the morning of the next day…) and we can all take a deep breath as the dust settles. Every Presidential election seems to be rather stressful and contentious as issues and policies arise and are debated by all.
Each election cycle hot button issues come to the fore and we focus on them. Most seem to fade away from the consciousness of people when the ballots are counted and a winner is declared. As Catholics, we have a moral duty not only to vote, but to be informed about and formed by Catholic Social Teaching. As a section of moral theology, the Church has a long history of how we as Christians participate in our civic communities and political process. In Rerum Novarum (1891), Pope Leo XIII was the first pontiff to write an encyclical focused on civic/political/social issues and where the Gospel intersects these issues. Since then, there have been many others including Centesimus Annus by Pope St. John Paul II on the 100th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum. We also now have the Catechism of the Catholic Church which guides and forms us. I encourage you to not wait until the next election cycle to see or search for what the Church teaches on this or that issue. Begin now forming your conscience and explore the teachings of the Church about civic, political, and social issues and where the Gospel enters the arena of the public square. We are disciples of Jesus Christ no matter where we go or what we encounter. We cannot shed our Catholic faith for a cloak of another ilk. We should continually each and every day (not just in the election cycle) to conform our will to the will of the Master, to transform our heart to the heart of the Master, and to inform our mind to the mind of the Master.
How can I, as your pastor, how can we as your priests assist you in this endeavor? I am open to suggestions!
HOUSEKEEPING
Last week, I wrote about posture during the Eucharistic Prayer. This weekend, I would like to mention a couple of other things. Since we are worshipping in a gym, the first instinct of a child is to run! I am so glad that we have so many children at mass! That is where they belong on Sunday morning with their families! Please note that there is a hallway on the Early Learning Center side of the gym and bathrooms out there too. This can also be used as an Exit after the Final Blessing of Mass. Also, as we enter into our new worship space, please walk past the first section and fill in the other three sections. The section of chairs nearest the entrance from the breezeway we would like to keep for those with mobility issues who have a difficulty walking so far and for families with small children who may need to step into the breezeway during mass. Thank you for your cooperation!
St. James the Less, pray for us and all our endeavors and plans!
May the Lord Jesus bless you and your families abundantly this week!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin