Over the past seven months we all have been dealing with the ongoing stress of having our lives changed in so many ways. My concern as your pastor is how are you doing dealing with these new stresses we face? Some of you I now see again at Mass but even then the chance to communicate with one another is so limited without coffee hours and social events taking place after Mass. So many of you haven’t returned to Mass out of concern for catching or spreading the virus, a legitimate concern. But, the lack of being in contact with one another makes it difficult to know your concerns and needs in these changing times.
I have been working with your Pastoral Council representatives to help me to get in touch with you to see how you are doing and to ask if there are any ways we as a parish community can be of support to one another. To facilitate better communications we have update our list of parishioner email addresses. We will be sending out an email to all the parishioners we have addresses for to ask how you are doing. If we don’t have an email address for you we will be calling you by phone to check on how you are dealing with this “new way of life” in this age of coronavirus. As the living Body of Christ, may we pray for one another. Know that you are in my daily prayers, please pray for me. God’s blessings and peace, Father Bill
In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops lift up various issues of different moral weight and urgency. Some issues they mention include: abortion, euthanasia, the use of the death penalty and imprudent resort to war; protecting the fundamental understanding of marriage as the life-long and faithful union of one man and one woman; achieving comprehensive immigration reform; caring for our common home and addressing climate change; helping families and children overcome poverty; providing healthcare while respecting human life, human dignity and religious freedom; establishing and complying with moral limits on the use of military force. In their 2018 pastoral against racism, the Bishops call us to be aware of the sin of racism and systemic racism in our society. Learn more about these issues and others at www.faithfulcitizenship.org.
For reflection: What do the bishops mean when they say, "Both opposing evil and doing good are essential obligations"? Why are both (not just one or the other) important for Catholics?
In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops remind Catholics that we are called to engage in charitable, respectful and civil dialogue during election season. In a culture that is dominated by "partisan attacks, sound bites and media hype," the Church calls for a different kind of political engagement (no. 14). Visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org to access resources on civil dialogue and on how our faith calls us to engage during election season and beyond.
For reflection: What is the role of the Church in political life?
You can make a difference! 40 Days For Life - happening now, everyday until Nov 1st! 7AM til 7 PM Daily. Come and pray for an end to abortion at the vigil site, across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St, Ithaca.
Visit http://www.40daysforlife.com/Ithaca for the vigil calendar and local resources. For more Info: Carolann 607-351-6668
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