Dear Parishioners,

I really enjoyed our Parish Festival and hope you did too. The food was delicious both nights. I was also forced (I am responsible for playing the role of the safety inspector) to try the food that was available outside of the dinner menu such as the soft pretzels, cotton candy, nachos with cheese, ice-cream, home-made pastries, etc. That too was quite consumable and delightful to the palette. I saw many happy children carrying away their prizes from the games they played and know that many adults will enjoy the baskets they won in the raffle. Again, to all who worked in any way and to all who were present to enjoy the company of others, thank you.

During this Halloween week I gently remind you that this Wednesday, November 1st, is the feast of All Saints & a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be celebrated at 8:30am with the school children (all are welcome) & at 7pm. We want to spend time remembering these saintly friends of ours for we trust (and ask) that they pray for us on our journey to join them.

During this month of October, dubbed “Respect Life Month” by the Church, you may have heard Deacon Pat and/or myself speak about Issue 1, which is on the ballot for November 7th. It’s an extremely important election as it seeks to extend the ability to abort a child up to the time of birth. I want you to know that neither of us relish speaking on such divisive topics. We do so only because of our moral responsibility to speak what we believe to be the truth revealed to us by God. God will hold us accountable for this. We have all heard it said that we should not speak of religion or politics as these can be emotionally charged topics of conversation. And yet, both of these have to do with the way we live together in society. Even Jesus spoke (not infrequently) about political issues (remember last Sunday’s gospel on giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar?) Both have to do with seeking and living the truth, even though we often disagree on what that truth is. Even Pilate asked Jesus the question, “What is truth?” (We hear this every Good Friday when the Passion is proclaimed). But Jesus has answered that question for him and for us: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

Each of you who worship with us must make up your own mind with regard to this issue and to all the issues that are presented before us as citizens. The Church may not endorse a candidate but we can and do endorse issues. But again, you have the right, and the responsibility, to vote according to your own conscience. I only remind you that each of us must have a conscience that is well informed, meaning that we have studied the issue. We do this by reading or watching the media, through conversations, seeking the guidance of Sacred Scripture, and the Teaching of the Church. (An important side note: the Church seeks to “teach” only what it has discerned according to the Scripture, and especially through the words & example of Christ). So once we have taken the time and made the effort to do this, we vote according to our conscience. If we do this, even if we are wrong, it will not be held against us. But conscience must be informed, and not simply our opinion. So you may absolutely disagree with what Deacon Pat or I preach, or even what the Church teaches, as ultimately that is between you and Christ. To be honest, there are teachings of Christ and the Church that I wish were not imposed upon me, because some teachings are so hard for us to put into practice, such as forgiving others from our heart, or praying for our enemies, or living a chaste life. We don’t like others (even God) telling us what we must do. But how sincere were we as we offered the opening prayer last weekend: “Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours”?

Fr. James P. Schmitz