Faithful Citizenship: Considering the totality of the Gospel of Life as we cast our votes

Bringing our faith to the public square is a fundamental expression of how we share God’s love for each other as we work toward building a virtuous civilization of love. In Deus Caritas Est, the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, we are reminded of our responsibility to share with others the love God lavishes upon us. Pope Benedict reminded us, and Pope Francis reiterates, that if we truly believe “the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics,” the church “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice” (Deus Caritas Est, 28; Evangelii Gaudium, 183).

Considering the government has a responsibility to create a just society, we — as church — must also accept our responsibility to stimulate, advocate and serve as catalysts to compel the government to always advocate for what is right and just for the common good. As we approach the November elections, bombarded with extensive rhetoric about which candidates are worthiest of our votes, I recommend considering the following points as we form our consciences.

Society as a whole must respect, defend and promote the dignity of every human person, at every moment and in every condition of that person’s life (Evangelium Vitae, 81). Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin often reminds us that God has given each of us an inestimable dignity that can never be taken away. If we believe the Gospel of Life is the core of the church’s social teaching, then we must strive arduously not only to preserve and protect life after conception, but also to nurture and respect life from conception to natural death. This means that we need to express care and concern for every member of society.

Justice is inseparable from charity and intrinsic to it (Caritas in Veritate, 6). The state, together with economic institutions, has a responsibility to make the kinds of systemic changes needed to protect the vulnerable, the impoverished and various peoples suffering from discrimination and exclusion. In keeping with our promotion of the sanctity of life, we should keep before us that this ideal encompasses the serious concerns of extensive hunger, euthanasia, violence, capital punishment and the absence of adequate health care.

We have to state, without mincing words, that there is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor. May we never abandon them (Evangelii Gaudium, 48). Pope Francis reminds us that our missionary impulse enables us to go forth to everyone without exception. Considering the inseparable bond between our faith and the poor, we should never forget that it was for our sake Christ became poor although he was rich — for it was by his poverty that we would become rich. Just as Christ loved us so much that he gave up his life to save us, we too should desire to follow Christ’s example expressing concern for the poor. Our advocacy on behalf of the poor expresses the authenticity of our love and concern for the inviolable dignity of every person without regard for distinction.

We must consider all the church’s teaching on human life, human rights, justice and peace as we discern for whom to vote in the upcoming elections. Considering the subjective media attention concerning the presidential elections, we must carefully take the time to form our consciences within the framework of the totality of the Gospel of Life. It is not the responsibility of bishops, priests and deacons to tell us for whom to vote. If anything, they are obliged to teach the truth to aid in the formation of our consciences through the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the authoritative teaching of the magisterium.

Finally, let us not fall into the temptation of broadly disparaging any political party or group because they disagree with our views. Let us not find ourselves misusing Scripture and church teaching to antagonize or demonize those whose political views differ from our own. Rather, let us share with those who disagree with us the love God has lavished on us as we endeavor to build a virtuous civilization of love. This is, in part, how we may fully promote the Gospel of Life in this contemporary age.

We build a culture of life as we affirm justice, solidarity

In May 2017, upon my return to Austin after speaking at a conference in the Diocese of Biloxi, and visiting seminarians of the Diocese of Austin at St. Joseph Seminary College in Louisiana, I suffered a heart attack after working a “simple” 13-hour day. Always resilient, I returned to work a couple of weeks later. In September 2019, I suffered two mild strokes at a national meeting in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Again, always resilient, I returned to “the saddle” before too long. Considering these two events in my life, I believe the Lord has a purpose for me and my work in the life of the church, in society and in my family.

This notion is reminiscent of Archbishop Emeritus Alexander Brunett of Seattle who, after suffering a stroke in 2013, succinctly said, “The future is filled with expectation, and we have to realize that we are the ones who have to make it happen.” The archbishop struck a powerful chord in this melody of life: when the storms of life are raging, we must remain steadfast in hope and joyful expectation, remembering that — as long as we have breath — we still possess an indispensable role in the mission of the church.

I am honored to serve in the Diocese of Austin, particularly as the leader of a secretariat whose mission is to help the faithful to strive — by common effort — to promote the execution of apostolic work and Catholic action. While the church is diverse, there is equality in baptism, and by virtue of that baptism, each of us has been made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and royal work of Christ. As canon law says, the whole church must continue to take seriously the call “to engage in efforts of evangelization, to exercise works of piety or charity and to animate the temporal order with the Christian spirit.”

Recently, the universal church commemorated the centenary of Maximum Illud, Pope Benedict XV’s encyclical calling on Catholics to bring the Good News to all peoples (Missio Ad Gentes). At the same time, the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops launched the 2019-2020 Respect Life Program, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae, St. John Paul II’s encyclical, calling on us to offer “new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love.”

These observances remind us of our duty to call each other to conversion in our ways of thinking, speaking and acting relative to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or class. By participating in parish ministries, increasing community outreach and educating ourselves about the implications a lack of respect for life can have on all people, we are responding to the call to offer “new signs of hope.”

When we say we are pro-life, we must also be pro-family, pro-charity and pro-justice. To be clear, pro-justice is not justice in the human estimation, rather, it is God’s justice, a divine characteristic of the Lord who is perfectly just and always merciful. When we say we are pro-life, then we are called to exercise a profound respect for the dignity of every person, regardless of stations in life or the precarious moments on the spectrum of human life. As a pro-life people, we must stand up for what is right and just and witness to the salvific power of God. There is no place in the human heart for prejudice, racism, intolerance, bias, narrow-mindedness and chauvinism.

Earlier this year, Bishop Joe Vásquez called on Catholics to “listen with an open heart and mind to the stories of our brothers and sisters who have experienced racism,” and he asked our priests to “listen to the stories of people within their own parishes and learn from them.” In response to the U.S. bishops’ recent pastoral letter, Open Wide our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, our bishop hosted a Listening Session on Racism, together with Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux and chair of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.

During the listening session at St. Edward’s University, five people of color spoke about their personal experiences of racism within the church and society. Describing her own experience within our diocese, one young woman said, “As a minority, resilience is built through continually walking into spaces that make you feel like an afterthought or an interruption to the regularly scheduled majority’s status quo.”

Another speaker explained his dismay that racism is not preached against in our diocese with any significance by clergy. Of the priests who participated in the listening session, one pastor shared a homily he described as the fruit from the listening session on racism. Admitting it was the first time he had broached the subject in a homily, he felt “challenged by the listening session to at least try.”

When we profess to be a pro-life people, we offer, as St. John Paul II said, “new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love!” I believe the Lord has a purpose for each of us and our work in the life of the church and society. As long as we have breath, may we accept with vigor our indispensable role in the mission of the church: to build a culture of life!

Welcoming our neighbors with genuine respect, hospitality

In light of comments my staff and I have received from our fellow Catholics about whether we should have bilingual liturgies or liturgies in language other than English, I find it necessary to remind us all that it is through faith we are children of God. We cannot genuinely say we love the Lord who we have never seen, but fail to love those we see every day because we are brothers and sisters who are called to love with the love of the Lord. We, who have been baptized into Christ, have clothed ourselves with Christ Jesus (Gal 3:26-27).

Our faith in Jesus Christ is not so much about us as individuals as it is about us as a loving family. Christ remains present through the church. We must all be able to sit around the Eucharistic table without regard to distinction — nationality, ethnicity, language, age or gender. We are social people, and as such, we have an obligation to extend hospitality to those with whom we meet every day. Having been baptized into the common priesthood of the faithful, we have been charged with exercising hospitality. Acknowledging our neighbor in his native language that may be different from our own is an expression of genuine hospitality and respect.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains well the call to hospitality as it conveys that baptism is the sacrament through which we enter the church and are united to Jesus Christ. Baptism signifies the universal call of the Gospel, and incorporates one into Christ and the community. 

The Catechism reminds us, “It is impossible to belong to Christ without at the same time belonging to the Church of Christ. Believing is never an isolated activity” (166). We cannot belong to Christ without being a part of the whole Body of Christ because being born again to new life in Christ brings forward a whole community and family of faith. 

Some areas of our nation, and even some communities in our diocese, have a storied history of not always expressing hospitality. There was a time when racism flourished, and Jim Crow was the law of the land. This stain on the fabric of what should have been a just and moral society, even crept into our some of our parish communities. 

However, as painful as these experiences were, and still are, for many people in our communities, we cannot allow each other to live out of our wounds, though painful. Authentic disciples must understand the obligation to proclaim the Gospel, bringing about the true fellowship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ (1Jn 1:3). Authentic disciples on mission are challenged to live up to the Gospel values fully and completely.

Let us never forget the joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties of society — particularly the poor or afflicted — are the joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties of the Christian faithful (Guadium et spes, no. 1). So whenever people rail against the presence of Spanish-language liturgies or liturgies in other languages within our diocese, I am encouraged to remind them there is an intimate relationship between evangelization, discipleship and liturgy. This relationship unfailingly has a strong effect on the life of the church. After all, Jesus came from all mankind for all mankind — regardless of station in life, race or cultural background. 

May the Mother of God, through her never-failing intercession, always watch over the church as we strive to do the work of her Son in this world.

Advocating for the sanctity of life at all stages

In advocacy work, we are often reminded of the words of the prophet Micah, “You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). The love of Christ impels us to advocate for the least among us, the shunned, the outcast, the disabled, the disenfranchised and the underprivileged. Made in the image and likeness of God, we are called to be in right relationship with God and all our brothers and sisters –– regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, age or gender. Worth is never merely determined in isolation, but rather in the interpersonal relationships with one another and God. 

I propose this is what it means to be pro-life: to exercise genuine love and respect for every human person from conception to natural death. Realizing respect for persons in the midst of humanitarian crises and social injustices is just as pro-life and just as important as any other life issue. Brothers and sisters, let us never find a situation where we can bring ourselves to advocate for some life issues and disregard others. If we truly love the Lord, we must take care of one another — we must love one another. There can be no true justice, no true harmony, no true righteousness and no true integrity without love.

Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of Monterey and DeKarlos Blackmon

A few months ago, the U.S. Catholic bishops penned “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” a pastoral letter against racism. The title of the pastoral letter speaks to the very heart of our Christian responsibility to make room for others in our hearts. Very often, I hear people say, “I don’t see color.” I recognize this as a well-intentioned comment, but until all people come to an authentic awareness of where they fit into systems of power and oppression historically, the comment often possesses no real meaning.

Collectively, we are called to a real conversion of hearts to meet the stranger among us and to engage in courageous encounters to raise more awareness of racism, poverty and all other forms of violence that threaten human life within our communities. As we endeavor to open wide our hearts to love, let us encounter and accompany one another to work to change the structures that work against the sanctity of life.

It is not enough that we simply pray about the issues affecting our communities, we are called to participate in opportunities for meaningful action. In our advocacy, let us promote the sanctity of every human life by learning more about the legislative priorities of our church, participating in advocacy day, and meeting with state legislators to discuss the issues that affect the common good.

Encouraging all to be ‘drum majors for justice’

By Kanobia A. Russell-Blackmon | Correspondent

Catholic Spirit • Diocese of Austin

February 2019, Volume 37, Number 2

A commemoration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. brought together people of all cultures, backgrounds and ages from across the Diocese of Austin. The annual event was held Jan. 12 at St. Louis Parish in Austin. Auxiliary Bishop Fernand Cheri of New Orleans was the keynote speaker. He was joined by Bishop Joe Vásquez, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Garcia and Father James Misko, pastor of St. Louis Parish and the recently appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Austin. 

As a drum major for justice, King believed in standing up for peace and righteousness, Bishop Vásquez said. “He spoke out against the injustice and evil of racism and advocated for equal rights for blacks,” the bishop said. Considering the current social climate in the U.S., Bishop Vásquez expressed the importance “that we remember [King’s] legacy and continue to stand against injustices.” 

Bishop Cheri, known for his singing and preaching, began his talk by asking all to stand and sing an old spiritual, “If anybody asks you who I am, tell ‘em I’m a child of God.” This hymn, coupled with the “Call of Simon the Fisherman” (Lk 5:1-11), set the stage for his presentation entitled “Changing Lanes.” 

Bishop Cheri said changing lanes is a part of life and one should not simply give up as soon as life throws a curve ball. Invoking King’s words, “Let no man pull you low enough to hate [him],” Bishop Cheri encouraged people to not place limitations on themselves because in changing lanes people should not allow the past to paralyze them in the present. 

This comment resonated with the staff of the diocesan Office of Life, Charity and Justice. Luisa de Poo, the associate director for Pro-Life Activities, said she often cautions those who have endured obstacles of racism or injustices to not live in a wound. 

Bishop Cheri challenged the faithful to not let events that happened to them in the past stop them from moving forward or discourage them from accomplishing their goals. 

Reflecting on the presentation, Wilhelmina Delco said, “I took away from his message that life is full of change and you should not be afraid to change lanes.” Delco knows about change as she was the first woman and the second black speaker pro tempore of the Texas House of Representatives. 

Sonia Eva Vega-Perez, a parishioner of St. Monica Parish in Cameron, agreed and added the message she takes with her is that “love always wins and hate never gains anything but division.”

Bernard Little, the faithful navigator of Knights of Peter Claver Assembly No. 40, appreciated how Bishop Cheri wove the story of Jesus’ calling of Simon Peter, “exhorting him to ‘change lanes’ and step out on faith to try something different.”  

Little, who is a convert to Catholicism, explained, “This was the basis of Dr. King’s message, and Bishop Cheri reminded us that Dr. King called us to change lanes, particularly as to how we view one another.” Considering the various cultures and traditions highlighted throughout the prayer and worship service, Little felt that the cultural presentations were “not only beautiful in their own right, but their inclusion should stand as a stark reminder to us all that God’s presence is everywhere.”

The St. Augustine Choir from Holy Cross Parish opened the service with an African hymn, “Siyahamba.” The hymn was meant to emphasize a spirit of community from the perspectives of those from the African diaspora. 

The choir from St. Louis Catholic School, in songs written by Michael Hoffer, reminded participants to follow the path of the Lord because God gives the courage to brave the storms of life. 

Belizean drummer Bernard Busano of St. William Parish in Round Rock and the Danza Guadalupana of St. Louis Parish in Austin led the march after the program. Busano represented a drum major, and the Guadalupanas represented the growing and varied Hispanic cultures present in the diocese. 

The choir and dance ministry from Holy Cross Parish helped participants praise, worship and witness through the Word, particularly in “Koinonia,” a song by V. Michael McKay which challenges the faithful to love each other with the love of the Lord. Geraldine Jones of St. Joseph Parish in Killeen and Patricia Macy of St. Austin Parish led the congregation in a litany and prayer for promoting harmony and justice.

The Diocese of Austin, through its Secretariat of Life, Charity and Justice, has issued a clarion call every Catholic to be a drum major for justice. During the celebration, the first Drum Major for Justice Award was presented to Johnnie Dorsey. The award was established to acknowledge an individual who truly espouses the ideals of what it means to dedicate one’s life to the promotion of social justice and the dignity of every human life, combined with a strong sense of obligation to the civic community, one’s parish community and family life. The award commemorates the legacy and sacrifice King gave to the world and is presented to an individual who perpetuates King’s convictions “to make justice, equality and opportunity a reality for all people.” The award’s name comes from King’s Drum Major Instinct sermon, during which he said, “If you want to say that I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.”

Johnnie D. Dorsey Sr and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin

Dorsey, who retired a year ago as the diocesan director of Black Catholic Ministry, was surprised and humbled to receive the award. 

“As I walked up the aisle to receive the award from Bishop Vásquez, I was overwhelmed by the thought that I had been chosen to receive this very meaningful award. Dr. King’s legacy has led to changes in law and social justice and I am humbled to know that I received an award that carries some of the greatest words that Dr. King has spoken,” Dorsey said.

Bishop Vásquez was pleased with the diversity of those in attendance at the commemoration for King. “There were people of different race, culture and language which is a great sign since honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King should never be seen as exclusive to one ethnicity,” the bishop said.

In consultation with the diocesan offices of Social Concerns and Hispanic Ministry, the commemoration program was coordinated by the diocesan Black Catholic Advisory Committee under the leadership of Susan Morris of St. Louis Parish in Austin. 

DeKarlos Blackmon, the diocesan secretariat director of Life, Charity and Justice who also coordinates the Office of Black Ministry, said it was paramount to make the King celebration inclusive of all. 

“This commemoration was a visible sign that we can all sit around the table of the Lord without regard to distinction, expressing in the words of St. John Paul II that there is no black church, no white church, no American church, but the one church of Jesus Christ that is a home for blacks, whites and people of every culture and race,” Blackmon said.

How a “Church on the Move” Functions

Recently, I was reminded of St. Augustine, who when speaking to the people of Hippo, remarked that his deepest satisfaction, strength and consolation, and the challenges that awaited that local church rested in the fact that he was a brother in Christ to so many of them. This was particularly moving to me in light of a recent address I presented at the Diocese of Saginaw Lay Ministry Assembly in November. During my address, “How a Church on the Move Functions,” it was important to drive home the point that we must always pray that our local church grows in the grace of our baptism. We pray we grow in faith, hope and love.

Together, we are called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the truth about the world, and the truth that leads us to our true and common home, the New Jerusalem, the city of the living God. This proclamation of the Gospel in the Diocese of Austin is expressed through 127 churches with their religious education programs, 22 Catholic schools, Catholic Charities of Central Texas, clergy and religious, and a host of dedicated lay ministers. When we explore how a church on the move functions, we must recognize the role of the laity who possess an indispensable role in the mission of the church. The church cannot be without a dedicated laity.

Every day, I am tasked with trying to bridge the ideological gaps between Christians devoted to social justice work and Christians engaged with the pro-life work. I am often intrigued by the dissonance projected sometimes by those in either camp. This dissonance is intriguing because each group’s work is intrinsically pro-life. When our church grows in faith, hope and love, we are better able to celebrate our diversity as a sign of the Holy Spirit. Without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, a church on the move must not allow itself to get so entrenched in any one “political” camp, that it rejects the inviolable dignity of others.

Each of us must challenge one another, and especially our young people, to be radically generous in offering their lives to Christ as priests, consecrated religious, or dedicated lay persons engaged in ministry for the proclamation of the Gospel in our world. We must continue to encourage young people to never settle for anything less than the spiritual and moral greatness of which they are capable. If we are going to be a church on the move, we must be willing to make a path for young people to enjoy a more prayerful and active involvement in the life of our parishes, schools and lay ecclesial movements throughout this local church.

For those of us — whether clergy, religious or laity — who have caused others to become estranged from the church, the love of Christ impels us to reach out to our brothers and sisters, welcoming them back to the sacraments and the fullness of our relationship with Christ and the people of God. If we have, even inadvertently, failed to “welcome the stranger,” the love of Christ and the Gospel message impel us to model compassion, social service and advocacy on behalf of the poor, the addicted, the lonely, the immigrant, the widow, the homeless and the despairing. A church on the move is a church that welcomes all God’s people with open arms and hearts full of love.

May our deepest satisfaction, strength and consolation rest in the certain reality that we are as Pope Francis says “protagonists in the work of evangelization and human promotion.” We are brothers and sisters in Christ who are called to function as a church on the move!

“A Church on the Move” by Joe Paprocki, is available from Loyola Press, www.loyolapress.com.

Only love will bring justice, harmony, restore dignity

Recently, I was afforded an opportunity to speak with a man who critically railed against the U.S. bishops and the church for their stances on immigration, health care, poverty, and a myriad of other issues. During the course of our conversation, I began to think of how inconsiderate and disrespectful the man was becoming because the church didn’t espouse his unjust perspectives about treating people with respect.

After our conversation, I began to consider the division felt in many of our communities. As I reflected on the widespread lack of civility in politics, the lack of respect for the human person with whom we come into contact in everyday life, and the overall lack of affording people dignity simply by hearing their cries, I thought, “If we don’t step up and speak out, we would be allowing others to open wide the gates of injustice.” We must step up and speak out against the actions of those who seek to divide our communities. We can no longer tolerate those who use sacred Scripture out of context to advance an agenda that violates human dignity.

Visiting the Diocese of Buffalo and the Diocese of Saint Catharines, Ontario

Jesus was masterful in turning things around on the Pharisees. He easily refocused the challenges of the Pharisees through wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion to expose their interpretation of God’s law. This interpretation is judged to be an avowal of advocacy, adherence or allegiance expressed in words, but not backed by deeds. In the Gospel, we find the Pharisees challenging the Lord by asking, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders, but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” (Mk 7:5). Jesus responds succinctly with Isaiah’s prophesy about hypocrites who not only honor the Lord with their lips, teaching as doctrine human precepts, but also have hearts that are far from the Lord.

Dear friends, we should not cry, “Lord, Lord,” while dehumanizing our brothers and sisters who need us. We cannot merely close off our ears to those who cry out to us in pain and despair. Failure to recognize the inherent and inviolable dignity of the human person would be to ignore that human dignity is the cornerstone of Catholic social teaching. Time and again, I point out that the Gospel illustrates a challenge and question for Peter that is relevant in our own daily lives. In the Gospel of John, Jesus asks Peter whether Peter loves him. We too are asked daily the same question by the Lord, “Do you love me?” This question is about dedication, fidelity and commitment for each of us. If we truly love the Lord, we must take care of one another — we must love one another. Illustrated throughout the Gospel by his words and deeds is Christ’s command to “love one another” (Jn 13:43).

This command to love one another is encapsulated in “Koinonia,” a song written by V. Michael McKay, a Christian composer. The lyrics speak to the heart of the call to love everyone. “Koinonia” states: ‘How can I say that I love the Lord, who I’ve never ever seen before? And forget to say that I love the one who I walk beside each and every day? How can I look upon your face and ignore God’s love, you I must embrace? You’re my brother, you’re my sister, and I love you with the love of the Lord.’

We must be as Christ expects us to be for one another. Without love there can be no true justice, no true harmony, no true righteousness and no true integrity. For this reason, we must illustrate and express more clearly our care and concern for each of God’s people, regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity or whether they are documented or undocumented.

Let us rejoice, be glad: We are holy people

During the Octave of Easter, I visited Holy Family Catholic School in Austin to present an award to Madelyn Edwards, a seventh grader. Madelyn participated in the 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King Essay Contest on the theme, “Followers of Christ: A Rich Legacy of Equality for All People.” Drawing on the legacy of King, and the first disciples’ transformation by Christ, Madelyn reminded us that, created in the image and likeness of God, he created us to live in a state of justice and peace with the responsibility to exercise good and morally right decisions reasoned by faith. 

Thinking about Madelyn’s perspective caused me to reflect on how people are largely products of their families — or cultural background and experiences. Accordingly, when bringing people of diverse cultural backgrounds together, we should always consider the varying perspectives of all persons. While inevitably there may be cultural dissonance, we should endeavor to appreciate the rich cultural contexts of our communities. Globalization and emerging technologies bring diverse peoples together not only in business and education, but also in our small communities throughout Central Texas. As we bring people together, we must equip ourselves with the capacity to champion every person’s inherent dignity and value — even when we do not agree on political views. This is how we build mutually beneficial relationships.

A couple of days after my visit to Holy Family, I participated in our diocesan Day of Reflection for Black Catholics. Bishop Joe Vásquez stressed during the gathering, “I believe the Spirit that moves, the Spirit that allowed Christ to rise from the dead, the Spirit that continues to move in and through others, the Spirit is very much alive in you.” No cultural group is merely just part of the church because we are the church; in all our blessed diversity, collectively, we are the church, he said. 

“Don’t ever think of yourselves as just kind of an appendage. Don’t ever lose sight of the fact that you are the Church, just the way you are!” Bishop Vásquez emphasized.

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Gaudete et Exsultate” (Rejoice and Be Glad), forthrightly provides anew the clarion call to reorient ourselves to holiness. Pope Francis “[reproposes] the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities.” Considering the complexities of the ever-fluctuating uncertainties of the political landscape around the world, and in our own domestic communities, meaningful encounter and respect for every human person is a priority for living together as a people destined for greatness, a people holy to the Lord. 

This call to holiness keeps before us our relationship with and responsibilities to the Lord, who has always kept his covenant of mercy to his people. When we strive to live in holiness, we exercise better commitment and courage. Our commitment to people — as in the Parable of the Good Samaritan — helps us to meet each other in our brokenness. Yes, this means we reach out with preferential concern to those who are weak, vulnerable, poor and oppressed. Courage compels us to always advance the more difficult right and just as opposed to the easy wrong when others are being persecuted and mistreated. 

As Madelyn instructs in her essay, “We must stand up, fight, and not cower.” It is courage that enables us to stand up and champion the concerns of those who look different from us. We do it because, as Madelyn’s peers at Holy Family Catholic School ably remind us, “We are ‘holy’ people!” 

Remembering our past to create a better future

Five years ago, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Four years ago, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was passed during a time when the federal government found itself wrestling with the constitution’s prohibition of denying equal protection in terms of banning the use of racial, ethnic or gender criteria in an attempt to bring social justice and social benefits. And now, in 2018, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

In their statement on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the U.S. bishops remind us, “The Dream of Dr. [Martin Luther] King and all who marched and worked with him has not yet fully become a reality for many in our country. While we cannot deny the change that has taken place, there remains much to be accomplished.” 

The late Divine Word Bishop Joseph Abel Francis, a former pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Austin, often appealed to the conscience of Catholic America, calling for conversion in its way of thinking, speaking and acting relative to blacks. Today the clarion call is for conversion in our way of thinking and acting relative to all God’s people — whether red, yellow, brown, black, purple, green, blue or orange. The duty to be “neighborly” is rightly given to us in Scripture. We have a moral obligation to offer hospitality, even to those who do not look like us or talk like us. 

In our culture, human life is repeatedly under assault. From the very moment of conception to natural death, life is threatened because our society has lost the true meaning of humanity, respect and basic human dignity. We must never lose sight of the fact that Christ became flesh so that we may come to know God’s love (1 Jn 4:9) and to make us “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pt 1:4). In Evangelium Vitae St. John Paul II explains “it is an absolute imperative to respect, love and promote the life of every brother and sister, in accordance with the requirements of God’s bountiful love in Jesus Christ.” 

Our bishops have challenged us to “remember our collective past as a way to overcome historical ignorance and enact good public policy.” As a community who claims to be truly Catholic, and believes that the sacraments call us to “engage conversion of human hearts in racial harmony” in an effort “to transform attitude and action in ourselves and others,” we should consider the humanity and dignity of those striving under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We should not allow the conversation about relief to be undermined by the rhetoric of illegal immigration. 

Pope Francis brings attention to not only charity and mercy, but also to our responsibility of addressing social inequality by reminding us that “true power, at whatever level, is service, which has its luminous summit on the cross.” Like David and Isaiah, despite their faults, were chosen “for the great evangelization,” and so, too, are we chosen for the great evangelization. May we endeavor to work toward peace, love, joy and happiness in our communities this Easter season. 

The Body of Christ is alive in our midst

Our involvement with the church as a communion of people consciously in relationship with one another in response to God, highlights the reign of God, illustrating a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood of the faithful are coworkers in God’s work of salvation. We are united truly through our diversity. It is in understanding our own cultures, and in welcoming others’ cultural values, that we authentically encounter one another on the journey toward salvation. 

This year Bishop Dominic Carmon, the retired auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, celebrates the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. I have been thinking of Bishop Carmon in recent months, particularly his insight on what it means to be church. In an exhortation, Bishop Carmon taught us the preaching of Christ is so powerful because he does not say one thing and do another, as we are often prone to do. He said, “We must always value God’s reign over our lives; we must value justice, peace and mercy. We must value the love of God and neighbor more than anything else.” 

DeKarlos and Kanobia Blackmon visiting with Bishop Dominic Carmon, SVD

Just like the disciples, when we recognize the value of the Kingdom, we should possess the driving desire to bring about that Kingdom just like the merchant seeking fine pearls or the man looking for buried treasure. Bishop Carmon reminded us that valuing the kingdom of God is the first step to discipleship. In fulfilling his Father’s will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. As we learn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (763), we must keep ever before us the certain reality that the church “is the Reign of Christ already present in mystery.” 

When considering the varied ethnic and socioeconomic diversity that comprises communities throughout our diocese and the nation, we are hearkened to endeavor to spread an ever-larger, more welcoming table. However, to do so, we must actively seek to understand each other through meaningful encounter. 

In September 1984, the 10 black Catholic bishops of the U.S. published a pastoral letter entitled “What We Have Seen and Heard” as a collective witness to the black community. The bishops conveyed the richness in the black experience that must be shared with the whole church because it is in the “celebration of the Sacred Mysteries … when the Church is most fully actualized.” Well, as we fast-forward to 2018, we find the same is true of Hispanic and Latino heritage: there is a sincere richness in the Hispanic experience of faith and sacramental life that must be shared with the whole church.

The number of Hispanic Catholics is growing exponentially in the U.S. This demands and justifies the need to ensure we are actively bringing forward the gifts of their heritage to add vibrancy to what we know today as church. By embracing the culture of the Hispanic people, in light of our own respective cultures, we can revitalize our church today, and thus greatly strengthen the effectiveness of the Gospel message. Our Hispanic brothers and sisters not only draw from the sacraments of the church, but also bring to the church how God penetrates our world and is present in the ordinary aspects of life. 

Christ calls us to take hold of the kingdom of God, here and now. Through the diversity present within each of our parishes, we experience Christ’s presence. As we encounter others this year, we must remember the parish community is the Body of Christ alive in our midst.

Welcoming the Stranger, Defending All Human Life

As a young man, I remember meeting Monsignor Dominic Luong, the dynamic pastor of Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Last month, Luong—who held the distinction of being the first native-born Vietnamese Roman Catholic bishop in the United States as auxiliary bishop of Orange—died from a lengthy illness. Bishop Luong’s episcopal motto, “You are strangers and aliens no longer” (Ephesians 2:19), reflected his ministry to refugee and immigrant communities. Bishop Luong’s work is a reminder of what it means to encounter and respect all human life, especially migrants.

Considering Bishop Luong’s ministry, Bishop Joe Vásquez’ work with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, and Pope Francis’ focus on authentic Christian relationships, we are reminded that when we confess the pro-life designation, there is a presumption that we are building a culture of life by going out into the world to nurture a culture of encounter. Being pro-life means modeling the approach of Christ to all people, bringing life and peace. An overarching theme in my own heart has been the Share the Journey campaign, which focuses greatly on migrants and refugees. In this contemporary age, we find migrants and refugees who risk their lives, enduring long-suffering and hardships on perilous journeys, only to encounter the walls of hardened hearts that are constructed to keep from their goals of life and peace. As Pope Francis harkens us back to the notion that having compassion means to “suffer with,” we are challenged to remember that our encounter with each other must be in word and deed. We are called to act in defense of all human life.

As a Christian people, we must welcome “the stranger,” expressing genuine care and hospitality for the immigrant community. Approaching the Martin Luther King federal holiday, we must show young people the value of giving back to our communities, renewing our collective commitment to justice and charity. Each of us is called to be a “drum major for justice.” Each of us must be attentive to opportunities to create structures of justice and integrity for those rendered defenseless by indifference. Each of us is called to fight for the fundamental right to life on which every other right is predicated. 

As we approach the commemoration of Roe v. Wade on Jan. 22, and the tragic consequences of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, we are called to affirm the intrinsic value of human life and the dignity of every human being in a way that transforms culture. Each of us is a holy child of God who is wonderfully and fearfully made. After all, Christ came that we may have life, and have it abundantly (Jn 10:10). Let us readily accept our moral obligation to defend human life at every age and every stage from conception to natural death. 

Finally, I encourage everyone to participate in the Mass commemorating the work of Martin Luther King at St. Mary Cathedral on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. with Bishop Curtis J. Guillory of Beaumont. We also encourage everyone to participate in the activities of Texas Catholic Pro-life Day on Jan. 27 beginning with Mass at San Jose Parish in Austin at 10:00 a.m. with Bishop Joe Vasquez, or Saint Louis Parish in Austin at 10:30 a.m. with Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia. For details, visit http://www.austindiocese.org.   

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Just Care for the Poor

Last year, Sara Ramirez, the executive director of Catholic Charities of Central Texas, reminded a gathering of social ministers that we must recognize and distinguish between situational poverty and chronic poverty. “If we don’t address the situational poverty, it will become chronic poverty,” she said. When considering the millions of people measured to be living below the poverty line in the United States, we may sometimes fail to consider the reality that many of them cannot manage to feed their families adequately, even working well over forty hours a week. These situations, if left untreated, can become chronic and dire for families leading to generational poverty. Our diocese is grateful for the work of Catholic Charities, as the agency stands at the forefront of helping people of all faiths, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses to meet the Church’s obligation to the poor.

"Creating Hope" is the mission of Catholic Charities of Central Texas

When we think more deeply about the issue of poverty, we must consider seriously how expressing compassion and effecting justice is crucially important to eradicating poverty in our land. We cannot claim to know and follow Christ and fail to express compassion for the poor. We are reminded that because Christ laid down his life for us, we too must sacrifice ourselves for each other, expressing compassion to all those in need, not only using words, but in deed and in truth (1 Jn 3:16-18). 

The Christian faithful have an obligation to care for those in poverty who are without a voice because “the just care for the cause of the poor” (Prov 29:7). When we say we are pro-life, we must keep ever before us that the poverty is indeed a pro-life issue. This is why our support of Catholic Charities USA is so very important in support of the dignity of human life, the foundational principle of Catholic social teaching.

The work of Catholic Charities serves the needs of all God’s people because we understand there is not one of us who possesses a corner on the market of God’s benevolent grace. God lavishes his grace widely, and so too are we called to give back to him by serving the needs of the human family. Notwithstanding the concrete realities of everyday life, we are called to transform human activity by the Gospel by showing a noble concern for the poor and for social justice (Evangelii Gaudium, 201). 

As we prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations with our families and friends, let us continue to awaken our consciences to a keen awareness of social responsibility, justice, and solidarity with the poor and the oppressed. Let us remember to continue to go out into the world endeavoring to make a positive difference in the lives of others, a difference that is pleasing to God who does great things for us, a difference that spreads the joy we have received from the Lord. 

May we realize such a powerful witness of the preferential option for the poor that people will exclaim, “The Lord has done great things for us, we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).

Time Is Filled With Swift Transition

HOLD TO GOD'S UNCHANGING HAND

Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand, 
build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.
 Trust in Him who will not leave you, whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling.
Covet not this world’s vain riches that so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures; they will never pass away.
When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true,
Fair and bright the home in glory your enraptured soul will view.

This old song from my youth says, "Time is filled with swift transition." One of my favorite hymns, the lyrics are conveying to us that time is passing away from us quite quickly—and one day we will be numbered indeed among the dead. In a section warning against presumption, in the epistle of James, we find that the uncertainty of life, its complete dependence on God, and the necessity of submitting to God’s will all help us to know and to do what is right. I have no idea what my life will be like tomorrow; and I am reminded, "You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears" (4:14). I fervently pray, that when my earthly life is completed, I will enjoy seeing the face of God at the eschatological banquet. May we keep ever before us this certain realization: Only when God is placed first are our lives well spent.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: A Labor of Love

In the various talks I have given around the country over the years, I often refer to Jesus asking Peter whether he loves him (Jn 21:17). Jesus asks us the same question every day, “Do you love me?” It is not a question of faith so much as it is a challenge to a commitment for each of us. If we truly love the Lord, we must take care of one another—we must love one another. Illustrated throughout the Gospel by his words and deeds is the command of Christ to “love one another” (Jn 13:43).

Each November, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsors the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection. Through the generosity of Catholics throughout the country, CCHD is able to provide much needed funding to groups whose work reflects Catholic social teaching in terms of the intrinsic dignity of human life. A preeminent objective of CCHD is to fund groups whose very efforts are to effect positive change in the policies and social structures which weaken dignity, particularly for the underprivileged and defenseless. Support of the annual CCHD collection helps the socioeconomically disadvantaged improve their lives, overcome injustice and escape poverty.

Pope Francis reminds us to not allow the spirit of global solidarity to be lost in times of crisis and economic hardship. As Catholics, we are united through the sacraments of initiation; and “the Eucharist commits us to the poor” (CCC, 1397). Participating in the work of CCHD helps us not only to reach out to those on the peripheries, but also to give hope to those in despair. During his Apostolic Visit to the United States in 2015, the Holy Father succinctly reminded the nation through his address to the Joint Session of Congress, “The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes.” When the Christian faithful participates in this national collection, we are actively responding to the clarion call to live out the Gospel values by expressing an authentic priority to alleviate the hardships of the underprivileged and vulnerable as a labor of love.

Everything we have in our lives is a gift; and we know God cannot be outdone in generosity. As we proclaim the gospel of life and justice, celebrating it in the Mass and in our whole existence, may the way we are to be in the communion processional be the way we are in the world because “in prayer, there are no rich or poor, there are sons and daughters, sisters and brothers” (Pope Francis).

If I can help somebody as I pass along,
then my living will not be in vain.
Be courageous!!

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Share the Journey

On Sept. 27, Pope Francis launched Share the Journey, a campaign that helps us focus on our responsibilities as a united global human family. This campaign is an appeal for us to promote a culture of encounter to counteract the culture of indifference that exists in our world. This campaign is intended to strengthen the bonds between migrants and our communities. During October we observe Respect Life Month, and we are reminded to resist the culture of indifference by endeavoring to initiate a culture of fruitful encounter that restores every human person to their rightful dignity as a child of God. Pope Francis reminds us that daily proximity to people’s share of troubles enables us “to practice the commandment of love, not on the basis of ideas or concepts, but rather on the basis of genuine interpersonal encounter.”

Share the Journey with Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin

While recognizing the harsh realities that conversations about migrants and asylum seekers in American society causes fear and division — even among “church-going” people — and considering that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees who fled the violence of Herod, could it be possible that we would be more understanding of their plight because we know their story? Fruitful encounter is so very important because it reminds us of our Christian responsibility to ensure that all persons, regardless of status, have inherent human dignity that must be respected.

We are called to lead by example by contributing ourselves individually and collectively not by mutual exclusion, but by equality in dignity. The Share the Journey campaign is important because it is about human dignity. This campaign compels us to appreciate the sacred dignity of migrants and refugees as children of God, recognizing that life is sacred, regardless of the color of our skin, our ethnicity, or our nationality. After all, are we not tasked with reminding our communities that we all sit around the Eucharistic table without regard to the distinctions of nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, or whatever labels society uses to divide us?

Let us pray for a just solution to mitigate the fear, uncertainty and terror that finds itself as a part of the migrant and refugee experience in the U.S. As we continue to bring the message of Christ to all people, we must continue to ask the God of wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, to assist with counsel and fortitude all government leaders. Let us continue, in keeping with the instruction given in the first epistle to Timothy, to pray for our nations, legislatures, members of parliaments and all who are in authority (2:1-3), that they may reject the temptation of indifference and adopt sincere hearts of encounter.

May the great challenges that are facing our communities today, and in our future, be met as great opportunities! May the Mother of God, through her never-failing intercession, always watch over us, with all our blessed diversity, as we strive to do the work of her Son in this world. May our work be in perfect harmony with the eternal teachings of Christ, and may the Gospel message come alive through each of us this Respect Life Month and forever!

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Speak Out Against Racism

The tragic events of Charlottesville, Virginia, have revealed again the prevalence of racism in the U.S. Almost 60 years ago, the U.S. bishops spoke out against discrimination and enforced segregation in the 1968 document “National Race Crisis,” in which the bishops called for us to eradicate racism from society. In the 1950s and 1960s, various branches of the federal government wrestled with laws and policies restricting equal protection. Some bishops found themselves fighting the architects of division, racism and separation. We are still fighting these battles today.

Undoubtedly, this is a very uncomfortable topic for people in our pews. However, “Racism is a sin, a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father” (Brothers and Sisters to Us, 1979). Many of us have remained quiet and on the sidelines of issues that affect the whole family of faith. 

Catholics pride ourselves on being intrinsically pro-life. During the 1999 Apostolic Visit of St. John Paul II in St. Louis, as he challenged us to be unconditionally pro-life, he also directed us “to put an end to every form of racism.” Being pro-life means we must always stand up for the uncomfortable “right and just” as opposed to merely remaining silent in the face of the inherent “wrong.” Being pro-life also means working toward the eradication of racism from our society. 

Considering the entrenched divisions between the Jewish and Samaritan communities, Jesus was clear about our responsibility to others in the parable of the Good Samaritan. We know very well that “every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design” (Gaudium et Spes, 29). We have to stand up, speak out and work toward the unity that St. Paul speaks of, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5). 

Every day of my life, I look at my black face in the mirror. At the age of 40, I know very well that blacks among others have not made it over. Regardless of our ethnicity, we must recognize the certain reality that every day is a process of continual, ongoing conversion. The anthem of the Civil Rights movement remains our objective: to overcome some day. Bigotry, violence and racism should never be tolerated. 

So, as we praise God for another day, we should also recall the words of Jesus to “Do to others whatever you would have them to do you” (Mt 7:12). For Christ to increase, we must stand up to be witnesses to the saving power of God. We will overcome prejudice, racism, intolerance and bias when we stand up and speak out. Life seen as self-centered earthly existence and lived in denial of Christ ends in destruction. Let not our silence be construed as tacit approval.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Respect Life

In October of each year is observed Respect Life Month in Catholic parishes across our great nation. This annual observance provides a special time to focus on the truth and dignity of the human person. 

Past Supreme Lady Geralyn C. Shelvin and I attend the
Youth Rally and Mass for Life at the Verizon Center in 2012

Watching television, listening to the radio, reading the newspaper, and perusing online news magazines will present in a very real way just how much an increasingly secular society is constantly attempting to compete with our holiness. Considering that we live in a largely sophisticated society, sometimes we are left trying to make sense of varying incongruences to the culture of life, such as, law enforcement officers assaulting unarmed civilians, a young man walking into a place of worship to kill people during prayer in South Carolina, a man murdering journalists during a live interview in Virginia, legalized abortion, and capital punishment.

In our culture, human life is repeatedly under assault. From the very moment of conception to natural death, life is threatened because our society has lost the true meaning of humanity, respect and basic human dignity. We must never lose sight of the fact that Christ became flesh so that we may come to know God’s beneficent love (1 John 4:9) and to make us “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Saint John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae explains to us that “it is an absolute imperative to respect, love and promote the life of every brother and sister, in accordance with the requirements of God’s bountiful love in Jesus Christ” (n. 77).

Each of us was made in the image and likeness of God, and so we must affirm the intrinsic value of human life and the dignity of every human being in a way that transforms the culture of secular society. This priority is not limited to any “particular” human life. Rather, the priority is to affirm the dignity of “every” human life because every human life has value. Pope Francis reminds us, “All life has inestimable value even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor.” Every life should be worth living, no matter the circumstances. 

We must remember that being pro-life encompasses the serious concerns of extensive hunger, poverty, homelessness, violence, euthanasia, capital punishment, and the absence of adequate health care. We cannot support those who promote widespread abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and the many other ills that destroy the dignity of human life, who at the same time claim that they are personally opposed to the evils they support or endorse. We cannot continue to allow those who claim a belief in “choice” to escape the moral responsibility to “choose life.”

Evangelium Vitae presents unequivocally that we are “to preach the Gospel of life, to celebrate it in the Liturgy and in our whole existence, and to serve it with the various programs and structures which support and promote life” (79). The way we are—supposed to be—in the communion processional during the Holy Eucharist is the way we must be in the world every day. Be encouraged to overtly participate in programs and initiatives that defend the dignity of every human life. May we never forget that Jesus came that we may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Let us take seriously our moral obligation to defend human life at every stage and every age from conception to natural death.

Edmundite Father Michael P. Jacques

REQUIESCAT IN PACE
Edmundite Father Michael P. Jacques

In Baltimore for the National Black Catholic Congress Board Meeting, I received word this morning that Edmundite Father Michael Jacques, pastor of Saint Peter Claver Church of New Orleans, has died.

 

According to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Father Jacques was admitted to the hospital Thursday after an apparent heart attack. He died overnight. "Father Mike," as many of his parishioners fondly called him, was instrumental in the growth and development of the parish church.

 

I am deeply shocked and greatly saddened to learn of the death of Father Jacques. We were scheduled to be together in San Diego tomorrow for the meeting of the African-American Affairs Subcommittee of the USCCB Secretariat on Cultural Diversity where each of us serves as consultants. Having looked forward to the opportunity to be with him this weekend, I am sure that his death will overshadow our gathering.

Remembering Our Mothers

"We believe that the Holy Mother of God,
the new Eve, Mother of the Church,

continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role
on behalf of the members of Christ."

(Pope Paul VI, Credo of the People of God § 15)

As we celebrate Mother's Day tomorrow (Sunday, May 12), we reflect on the great and special love a mother has for her children. In light of our faith---at least for me---I am left to consider not only the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Christ, but also the love of God our Father. When we truly think about the authentic love of a mother for her children, without difficulty we see a reflection of the love God has for his people.

Raising children involves obedience and patience from both parents and children. No doubt, at times a child has a special way of getting on that "last nerve" (and I know because I am that child)!This morning (Saturday, May 11) I spent some time in prayer at an abortion clinic with many joyful Christians, Protestant and Catholic, who support life. This opportunity stood as a visible sign not only of celebrating the glory and dignity of human life, but also praying for the mothers/families that choose life and praying for those who are unable to see hope in their circumstances.

A parent conveyed, "It is not easy being a mother sometimes" Commenting further, she said, "Then again, love means selflessness." Well, we will never be able to understand exactly what people are truly going through in their lives, but we have a obligation to encourage them. Following the example of Jesus, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles reminds us, "As Jesus was obedient to his Father's commands, we have to be obedient to Jesus' commands... [especially] when those teachings are hard or inconvenient." We must choose life. In choosing life, we are choosing to love. Jesus commands us to love.

We must always look to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who "advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross, where she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, grieving exceedingly with her only begotten Son, uniting herself with a maternal heart with his sacrifice, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this Victim which she herself had brought forth." (Lumen Gentium, 54). With all the joys and anguish that come over the years, the incredible sacrifice is a "labor of love" which knows no end. Many observe that the delight and agony a mother feels is just as poignant whether the child is an adult or an adolescent.

In addition to feeding, clothing, loving and providing shelter for her children, a mother possesses the tremendously awesome responsibility to raise her children in the faith. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches all forms of catechesis; and as such, the first church is in the home. God bless our mothers for teaching us, leading us, and not only giving us life, but also showing us the path to life.

Habemus Papam: Pope Francis

Today, Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born December 17, 1936, was elected as the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He will go by the papal name Francis. Bergoglio is the first pope ever elected from South America. Prior to his election, he served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was elevated to the cardinalate in 2001.

 

We join the universal church in assuring the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers as we—the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary—will always pray for his strength and broad shoulders to accept the responsibility to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Let us be the first to congratulate Pope Francis on many fruitful years of faithful service to the universal church and the world.

 

The election of Pope Francis, through the grace of Almighty God, is glorious evidence that there is never ground for losing hope.