Pastor's Desk Archive (September 2008)

"Single Issue Voting" (9/7/2008)
For God So Loved The World (9/14/2008)
Help Needed (9/21/2008)
Time For A Faith Lift? (9/28/2008)

"Single Issue Voting" (9/7/2008)

Now that both major party conventions are over, the battle is joined in our quadrennial election of a new President. As American citizens, Catholics have the same obligations as everyone else to study the issues and to carefully examine the candidates prior to casting their ballots on November 4th. And we also enjoy the same rights as other Americans to take sides and to make our convictions known.

This would be a good time to clarify what limitations and rights parishes have as tax exempt institutions. The only restriction we have is that we are unable as a parish to endorse particular candidates or to distribute any kinds of political leaflets that make it appear that we are endorsing one party or one candidate over another. This doesn’t mean that we couldn’t have a civic forum to which candidates of both parties could be invited to express their views and to answer questions. It doesn’t mean that I am not free as a Pastor to offer insights and guidance on political matters based on matters of faith and morals.

I addressed the issue of “abortion politics” in last week’s column and I would like to re-visit that topic this week by exploring whether or not it is a good thing to cast one’s ballot on the basis of a single issue. In my view, it depends on what the single issue is. Some issues are more critically important—in terms of consequences—than others. The issue of energy independence, for instance, is one that admits of a number of different approaches. Some say “drill, drill, drill” while also advocating the development of new forms of energy. Others advocate the latter while asserting that we can’t drill our way out of our energy crisis. It’s an important issue, but probably not one that should singly decide which candidate we are going to vote for.

What about a candidate’s or a party’s position on abortion? If human life begins at conception as most biologists and theologians would agree, then deliberately ending the life of an unborn child is gravely wrong rather than a “choice”. Each year that “abortion rights” are regarded as “the law of the land” results in the snuffing out of about a million innocent lives. If one party or candidate defends abortion rights rather than champions the fundamental right to life, the consequences would seem to be so great as to justify voting one way or the other on the basis of this single issue. Others may claim that a party or candidate that champions other social justice issues (advocacy for the poor, etc.) may justify overlooking their position on the right to life of unborn children. I’ve heard that argument made very strongly by people that I respect and admire. However, I’m unable to agree with them. If after studying the issues and the candidates carefully, I conclude that there is one who clearly champions the rights of the unborn while the other champions abortion rights, I know how I’m going to vote.

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For God So Loved The World (9/14/2008)

Today’s feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross should be a sober reminder to us that things are not always as they seem. Crucifixion was a perfectly horrendous means of executing common criminals—murderers, traitors, and thieves. And so it seems so ludicrous that The One whom we acknowledge as our Lord and God could have come to so brutal an end. But is was not the end. It was the means that He chose to demonstrate how much God loves those whom He has called to be His own. Jesus freely chose to submit to take upon Himself the sins of the world and endure the punishment which such sins deserve—complete estrangement from the source of all life and love. That is why He cried out—on behalf of all sinners—my God, my God, why have You abandoned me? This was no charade or merely going through the motions. The Son of God suffered horribly and died so that you and I who believe in Him might have the fullness of life.

And just how grateful are we for that? Grateful enough to begin to see the wonderful ways that God continually tries to show us His love and mercy. We sin, and sin again, and He says, Come back to Me with all your heart. Do you see Him present in all the circumstances of your life—in the good times and bad times, in sickness and health? This is what it means for the cross to be a triumph. It is not an end, but a means to a wonderful end—Life with God now and forever.

One of the ways that God has shown His love for our parish family has been in sending Margaret Hochla to be among us for a while with her faith, service, gifts and talents. She has performed well a myriad of duties that have gone well beyond her titles of director of music and adult formation. Her positive impact on our experience of worship Sunday after Sunday has been so beneficial to me and to all who appreciate liturgy well done. We shall certainly miss her. Actually, we shall probably continue to see her at special liturgies and functions for some time to come. In the meantime, I hope you will make an effort to come on Sunday afternoon at 1pm to thank Margaret and to wish her well in her new position at St. Charles Borromeo.

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Help Needed (9/21/2008)

In the past 15 months, the two staff members upon whom I have most relied have moved on to other pastures. When Mary Lee moved to northwest Indiana to be closer to her family members in the Chicago area, some of her most significant duties were picked up by Margaret and other staff members. Now that she has taken a position at an Oklahoma City parish that is both closer to her home in El Reno and to her infirm father in Bethany, my need for a capable and trustworthy assistant is bordering on urgent. Here are the key requirements:

• Familiarity with the parish and parishioners
• A commitment to growing in the knowledge and practice of the faith as well as to spiritual and emotional maturity.
• A good steward of time, talent, and treasure
• Knowledge of Windows software including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• An aptitude for working with our parish data program and its report features.
• Office management experience would be helpful.
• An ability to work well with others—especially me
• A firm commitment to confidentiality

I envision this position as one requiring 25-30 hours a week with generous provisions for vacation, holidays, and illness. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Health and retirement benefits are available to all employees who work 30 hours or more.

If you meet all or most of the qualifications, please send me two things: A resume which provides some personal information, skills, and work history and a short “essay” communicating why you believe you are well suited to serve me and the people of the parish. You can send these things as an email attachment to me at fjacks@cox.net or by snail mail to me at the parish address—marked Confidential.

May I ask all of you to pray that this important need will be met in the very near future. I am leaving for Boston on Tuesday for a couple of weeks vacation. While there I will be witnessing the marriage of my niece. I will be getting back on the 7th of October but only to leave immediately for the Jesuit retreat house in Lewisville, TX for the annual Archdiocesan Priests’ retreat. I’ll be back for the weekend of Oct. 12th.

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Time For A Faith Lift? (9/28/2008)

I hear that plastic surgeons do very well in offering cosmetic services such a face lifts and tummy tucks. I don’t really know much about those kinds of things, but I do know a few things about the importance of building a strong faith. So it’s time once again for the next round of Growing the Faith of Grownups (GFG). Those who have been taking part have reported experiencing a very beneficial faith lift. The next series begins on Oct. 11th and concludes on Nov. 16th.

While virtually every parish offers adults various faith formation opportunities over the course of any given year, not many offer a stable, ongoing program like the one we have at St. Andrew’s. GFG provides parents and other grownups of all ages three “semesters” a year consisting of six sessions each. What a very reasonable approach to help adults grow a stronger faith year in and year out.

While we have had very good participation overall, there is still a very large number of parishioners who have yet to take part. Maybe this is the year for you to get on board? Would you like some good reasons to consider doing so?

• The media is reporting that we may be on the verge of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Developing a stronger faith in God is bound to help see us through whatever actually happens.
• Have you been hoping that the election of a new president might usher in a new golden age of governance? Building a strong faith in God’s rule is a far better bet, don’t you think?
• How’s married life working out for you? Keeping one’s marriage vows is one of life’s greatest challenges. I’m willing to wager that having a richer faith will ease the burden and increase the joy.

Once again, we have some great selections to choose from. Why not check out the flyer attached to this bulletin, maybe talk to some of your parish friends, and plan to sign up for the Fall semester? While you’re at it, why not offer a little prayer that we will set a new attendance record this year?

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