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Dear Friends in Christ,
One of the key features in our recent parish hall refresh was the return of the placards describing the “Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching” (CST). You’ll find them strategically located just to the right as you enter the hall from our church. That’s not accidental. We are given the real presence of Christ to be carried into all aspects of our lives as individuals and communities. This sacred mission is guided not by personal opinions or preferences, but by principles.
The first principle in CST is titled the “Life and Dignity of the Human Person.”
All people are sacred, created in the image and likeness of God. Each person’s life and dignity must be respected from conception to natural death. A person’s dignity is not affected by disability, poverty, race, or gender.
As our American national discourse grows angrier and more contentious over the reversal of the Roe v Wade decision, we as Catholics, whatever our personal opinions, must stand united as a church in affirming the basic dignity of every person. Affirming the right of unborn children to live is an important priority, but so is supporting women who find themselves in difficult or seemingly impossible pregnancies. Our own patron St. Bridget is fondly remembered for caring for young unwed mothers who had been shunned by their families and communities.
The “Seamless Garment Life Ethic” also calls us to support poor families, and to reject capital punishment, euthanasia, and most forms of war. Practicing this CST first principle is no simple or easy task. People sometimes fail to live up to it which is why we must bring patience, humility, and compassion to this discourse.
Today is Respect Life Sunday in the U.S. Catholic Church. It begins a month of special prayer, study, reflection, and action in affirming the sanctity of all life, from the moment of conception to natural death. I invite us to come together in considering the first principle of CST above and praying for how we can best respond with conviction, compassion, and concern to all the life issues before us. You will see a flyer in today’s bulletin with an invitation to participate in the “40 Days for Life Program.” You can also find other resources at the US Bishop's website https://www.respectlife.org/celebrate
St. Bridget of Kildare…pray for us! Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!
Fr. William Heric, Pastor