Dear Folks,

Ballot Initiatives and Parish Life Weekend. First, the unnecessary and extreme ballot initiatives that will be brought before all voters this fall. The bishop has instructed that his letter be read at all Masses this weekend. And it is reprinted in today’s bulletin. Please prayerful read and act.

In 30 years of preaching, I do not recall ever being asked to read a letter on ballot initiatives from the bishop at all Masses. Note that I am carefully saying, ballot initiatives, and not election. These votes are not about your favorite political party seizing the reigns of power, but they are about the most pressing and coercive intrusion of the law into the heart of the family: marriage and the protection of children.

On matters of faith and morals, the Church must not lose her voice. And we must not let others cower us into silence. In twenty years of being a pastor, most election cycles, I have receive threats attempting to silence the pro-life witness of the Church. I expect the same with more venom this year. I also know that some will be energized by the voice of the bishop and pastor to do the exact opposite. Our choices do matter. Our voices matter. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” – Psalm 95:8

In the last several years, most pro-life ballot initiatives have failed. Why? Because when the law changed pushing these onto state ballots, hearts did not change. This year’s ballot initiatives veil extreme positions behind pleasant language.

If you struggle accepting the moral teaching of the Lord, recall how Pope Francis was fond of saying that “the Church is a field hospital for sinners.” Recall the Lord dining with the outcasts and excommunicated of the day, and doing so in order to draw them home to Himself by a path of mercy, and forgiveness.

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”- Psalm 95:8

Next week is our Parish Life W eekend. Another case of ‘what can Jesus do with my talents?’ is parish is big, and is able to accomplish so much, because each parishioner who shares their talents finds them multiplied by the Lord and combined with the gifts of others, no one need bear to great a share.

pax,

Father John Mosimann