A Message from Father Bill Swengros

My friends,

 This week our country pauses to celebrate the memory of one of our nation’s sons, Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.  While venerated as the gifted visionary of civil rights and non-violent reform, we often forget that he was first and foremost a man of God.  It was his strong and fervent faith which impelled him to challenge the social structures of the day and to press towards freedom and equality for all.

 Like Samuel, Andrew, and Peter in today’s readings, Martin Luther had the courage to listen to the call of the Lord and to follow him.  I’m sure it wasn’t easy, especially when his family was attacked.  Yet he was willing, through the grace of God, to make the ultimate sacrifice for what he believed.

 Tomorrow night (Monday), we will celebrate a special Mass for Social Justice beginning at 7pm.  Please come and honor the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King and let us pray for a renewed respect for the inherent dignity and worth of each and every person as a child of God, regardless of age, sex, race, age, abilities, nationality, language, religion, or way of life.

 The following Monday at 7pm, we will have another Mass as we observe a special Day of Penance in remembrance of the millions of children who have died as a result of the infamous Roe v. Wade decision.  Without doubt, this is the greatest and most fundamental civil rights issue of all ... the right to life.

 I am especially pleased that our parish will be represented next week in the National Right to Life March in Washington, DC by a contingent of young adults.  Let us pray for conversion of hearts and for all the victims of abortion: children, mothers, fathers, friends and relatives, and health care providers.  May our country be noted for its consistent ethic of life!

 Every year I get complaints from concerned parents about the crosses and signs on our property.  They resent having to speak about abortion to their children.  My response is always the same.  I am so grateful my parents did not shy away from sharing with me the truth in an age-appropriate way when I saw pictures on the television of the civil rights marches or the Vietnam peace protests.  I grew up knowing that while the world wasn’t perfect, the values enshrined in our Declaration of Independence of the God-given, inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were still worth fighting for.

 I still believe that.  Do you?

 Growing Together in Christ,