PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
pray for our nation to want to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. It’s not just for those children at our day school or PSR program, but for all children to hear why St. Paul cries out in this weekend’s readings: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose... Jesus Christ.” Why now should we cry out in such urgency? Because after this past weekend’s march in D.C. for the respect and dignity of all life and the end of abortion, I am reminded of what award winning actor, Michelle Williams, said when she received her Golden Globe on January 5th. Ms. Williams used her microphone time not simply to give thanks, but to say: “I’m grateful for the acknowledgment of the choices I’ve made, and I’m also grateful to have lived at a moment in our society where choice exists. Because as women and as girls, things can happen to our bodies that are not our choice. Now, I know my choices might look different than yours. But thank God, or whomever you pray to, that we live in a country founded on the principle that I am free to live by my faith and you are free to live by yours. So women, 18 to 118, when it is time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest. It’s what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks so much like them.” I realize there are moments in her talk that are meant to lift up the dignity of women and should be applauded. But, there are fundamental issues that she promotes that are against the very divinity that women are called to embrace and who Jesus Christ claims them to be. We are not a people who are supposed to make decisions based on our own self-interest, rather we must live a life of choice that leads others to the glory God has created them to be in God’s own image. From Miriam and Sarah, Esther and Susanna and Deborah, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Maria Goretti, even my own Mom, sisters, nieces and all women who are always chosen by God to intimately know His sacrificial love. The gift of a Catholic education allows us the ability to form our children in the fullness of faith so they don’t have to grow up believing the lie that you just have to “live your truth.” Live the only Truth, Jesus Christ! Don’t forget anyone interested in knowing how you can send your child to our day school without having the funds to do so, just call the school or the rectory to find support and aide. If you would like a tour of the school or want to help sponsor a child in our school please give us a call.
Pax, Fr. Bline
(N.B. Next weekend is not only the feast of St. Brigid of Kildare and the birthday of my Grandma’s cousin, Clark Gable, it’s most importantly the 40th day of Christmas, Candlemas Day/ Presentation of the Lord.)
