What is an award?  According to the dictionary, when the word award is used as a verb it means, “To give as due or merited; assign or bestow.” 

This made me start thinking about my school years when awards seemed to be a bit easier to achieve than what they are as an adult.  In elementary school I could get an award for just showing up.  It was called “perfect attendance.”  In high school I could play sports and sit on the bench much of the time and still get a “letter” for my efforts.  There were academic opportunities for awards as well.  Getting an award for “most improved” seemed like a positive thing until I realized it could simply mean that I was really awful at this endeavor in the beginning and I am probably still not too good at it now.

As a teacher, I didn’t give many awards to my students.  If you received an award from me it was something you earned.  However, the reality of frivolous awards hit home with me when I became the principal of an elementary school.  The awards assembly was long and tedious and I cringed at the notion that every student was going home with numerous awards.  It seemed to be an exercise in futility.  What real value did these awards have if the discipline and hard work to achieve them was minimal at best?     

Did you have awards in high school for graduating seniors beyond valedictorian, salutatorian, and National Honor Society?  Were there categories such as “most likely to succeed” or “most athletic” or any other such type of depiction?  Were there unofficial categories created by the students outside the mainstream such as “teacher’s pet” or even a little more brash such as “most likely to end up in jail”?  I vividly remember that there were certain awards a person just didn’t want to win, officially or unofficially.

In our adult lives awards sometimes come in pay raises or job promotions.  Other times we actually receive specific awards for our achievements.  There may not be too many of us that receive a Nobel Prize, but there are other distinguishing awards in our careers that may attract our attention.  As I was reading an article today it struck me that politicians seem to have a plethora of awards given to them from a variety of organizations.  Do they earn them or is this just another means of individuals scratching each other’s back in a mutual admiration society?

Unfortunately, the article that caught my attention today referred to an award which I simply cannot comprehend.  It is the Margaret Sanger Award.  Why would an award be presented to someone for actively trying to eliminate a segment of our population?  Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America said, “On behalf of Planned Parenthood and the millions of patients we serve each year, it gives me great pleasure to announce that House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will receive the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Margaret Sanger Award, our highest recognition of leadership, excellence, and outstanding contributions to the reproductive health and rights movement.”

It is no surprise that Nancy Pelosi would be given such an award because her commitment to the pro-abortion movement is thoroughly documented.  Remember, she referred to the availability of late-term abortions to be “sacred ground” for her.  Subsequently, this will be an award Nancy Pelosi will likely cherish with deep devotion.  It would be my hope that she would distance herself from receiving such an award, but her track record reveals that this is probably an unrealistic wish rather than a true hope. Planned Parenthood’s “Annual Gala” will take place on March 27, in Washington, D.C. at which time Nancy Pelosi will deliver her remarks and accept the award.

The words “leadership, excellence, and outstanding contributions” apparently have different meanings for different folks.  It saddens my heart to see these words used to describe the pro-abortion actions of Nancy Pelosi.  Knowing that this atrocity (award presentation) is taking place during the holy season of Lent, it presents an opportunity for a renewed vigor among pro-life individuals to engage in serious “prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.”  Let us demonstrate our “leadership, excellence, and outstanding contributions” in creating a culture of life!

On January 30, 1972 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, demonstrators were marching in protest of the British policy of internment of suspected Irish nationalists.  The British authorities had ordered the march banned, but it continued despite the orders.  There are numerous accounts which give details of the incident of that day, but these reports don’t seem to all agree about certain aspects of the confrontation.  Bottom line, British Army paratroopers fired into the crowd killing 13 and wounding at least that many as well. All of the deceased were Catholics.  This event came to be known as Bloody Sunday.

I was only an adolescent when Bloody Sunday occurred, but I can remember watching the evening news with my parents during that time period and frequently hearing stories about the clashes between Protestants and Catholics.  I did not fully comprehend what was taking place, but even at that early age it was obvious that the tension and conflict was immense.  Looking back, I recall that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) became a household name through the repeated reporting night after night.  Although I lacked understanding about the events, I certainly had a familiarity with them nonetheless.

Conflict is evident throughout human history and it remains prevalent in modern society as well.  Nations wage war against one another; revolutions occur within countries; religious factions attack and divide; the list could go on and on.  Following the State of the Union speech this week given by the president of the United States, we can easily spot the conflict between political and moral ideologies right here at home.  The gap between conservative and liberal thinking grows ever wider and the increased polarization of our citizenry is the ensuing result.  This trend has accelerated in recent decades and it appears to be a recipe for disastrous results.  If we believe that a house divided against itself cannot stand, where do we think our nation is headed?

Is there hope?  Reading through the Old Testament we can see the “ups and downs” that nations experienced.  If the people went astray but finally turned back toward God, they would flourish. The good news is that if we turn back to God anything can happen.  I remain hopeful that someday here in the United States we will allow God back into our public institutions and into our society.  I am hopeful that there will come a day when we awake from our spiritual slumber and live devout and upright lives.  What can we learn from events like "Bloody Sunday?" 

“The people in darkness have seen a great light.”

How is the Catholic faith effectively handed on from one generation to the next?  Many educators and faith formation coordinators have lamented in recent decades that we have not done a good job in evangelizing and catechizing our people.  Thus, it is frequently perceived that our current Catholic population lacks a thorough knowledge and understanding of Church teachings.  Is that perception accurate?

On January 24, 2014, Michael Voris posted a video reflecting on some things he observed at the pro-life march in Washington, D.C.   http://www.churchmilitant.tv/daily/?today=2014-01-24   

He commented about the impressive aspect of seeing so many young people braving the bitter cold to participate in the march, but he conducted some unscientific interviews with many of them while he was there and walked away with some disturbing statistics.  He found that 30% of the young people gathered for the march were okay with the use of contraception.  He also found that 19% of the young people were accepting of homosexual physically active relationships.  In his observation, Michael Voris points out that the culture of death has already slipped into the hearts and minds of the young Church.  Remember, these observations were made in regard to those young “pro-life” people present at the March for Life in Washington, D.C.  What do you think these interviews would unmask if they were conducted in a completely different venue?

Michael Voris is very direct in addressing Church leadership about their shortcomings and failures in regard to preaching and teaching the fullness of the faith, and he readily acknowledges that being the messenger of such news does not make him popular in certain circles.  I will admit that his criticisms are difficult to hear since I fall into one of the categories on the receiving end of the message.  However, it is essential for all of us, clergy and laity, who have teaching responsibilities within the Church to take our roles seriously.  Subsequently, I believe Mr. Voris gives us an opportunity for some solid evaluation and reflection of our ministerial outreach.

How do we a draw a balance in our preaching and teaching?  Is there a way to not focus on “fire and brimstone” constantly, and yet truly teach the more difficult components of the faith?  Quite simply, how do we teach the truth in love?  What can we learn from the past, and how can we apply it to the present?

Cicero (106 B.C. – 43 B.C.) listed three aims of rhetoric: (1) to teach; (2) to delight; and (3) to persuade.  St. Augustine picked up on this from Cicero and reinforced the importance of clarity in our communication.  He applied this to both teaching and preaching.  His admonishment was straight to the point when he said, “The speaker should not primarily consider the quality of his teaching, but the clarity of it.”  (On Christian Doctrine 4, 12, 27)

Obviously, we are pursuing goals much more prolific than the simple development of oratorical skills.  However, it makes sense to utilize the concepts of effective rhetoric in our teaching and preaching.  In what ways do we strive to “delight the heart?”  If our approach to teaching is vibrant and engaging we have the potential to create an atmosphere more conducive to learning.  It is no secret that if we delight the heart, the mind becomes more receptive to our teaching.  Ultimately, this receptivity, or lack thereof, impacts our ability to persuade the hearer as we invite him/her to conversion.  God chooses to use us as instruments of His love; it is important that we cooperate with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as we minster. 

Continuing our celebration of Catholic Schools Week encourages all of us with teaching responsibilities in our schools (and other settings as well) to engage in some serious reflection.  How do I engage in prayer and study in my own life?  Am I on fire with the love of God?  Why did I enter this ministry?  Am I pursuing my passion or my pension?  Finally, am I effectively contributing to the building up of the Kingdom of God?

“Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service”

The celebration of Catholic Schools Week began on January 26 and runs through February 1.  This week the spotlight clearly shines on the mission of Catholic education as the theme so aptly declares, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service”.

The National Catholic Educational Association highlights some statistics on their website that are quite revealing.  Over two million students are enrolled in Catholic schools in the current academic year at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.  Of these students, 317,470 are non-Catholic.  That is just under 16% of the total enrollment of students in the Catholic system.  There are a total of 6,685 Catholic schools in the United States; we celebrated the opening of 28 new ones this year while also witnessing the closing or consolidation of 148 others.  The overall student/teacher ratio is 13:1.

Full-time (equivalent) staff in our Catholic schools is comprised predominantly of the laity; lay women comprise 74.5% while lay men make up 22.3% for a total of 96.8%.  Clergy and religious only comprise 3.2 % of professional staff in our Catholic schools.

What do these statistics reveal about the state of Catholic education in our country?  Obviously, the Catholic educational system still has a profound impact on our society with 6,685 schools in operation and over 2 million students enrolled.  Those numbers suggest a huge potential for shaping the culture with solid Christian Catholic values if effective faith formation and education are a central component of each of these Catholic schools.  On the other hand, if we see our schools functioning simply as private schools, but not necessarily all that focused on being Catholic, we won’t see the potential fulfilled as dramatically as it could be.  If that occurs, then we have missed our purpose and our mission.  There are over 2,000 Catholic schools with a waiting list for admission, and I am sincerely hopeful that our Catholicity is the driving force behind that positive statistic.  

The decline of religious men and women (priests, brothers and sisters) has certainly impacted Catholic education in recent decades.  This decline has definitely been viewed in a negative light, and with good reason.  Our religious men and women bring a Catholic presence into our Catholic institutions that are uniquely their own, and it is sometimes difficult to capture those charisms in laity-led endeavors.  However, this decline in the number of religious serving our schools has provided a profound opportunity for the laity to step up to a ministry which empowers them to more fully live out their vocational call to holiness.  Vatican II recognized the vital role of the laity, and the modern Catholic educational system is a place where the laity exercise a premier ministry in shaping the hearts and minds of the young Church.

Catholic Schools Week celebrates a wide range of attributes regarding our vast educational system across the country.  First and foremost, I see it as a time of gratitude.  Many people sacrificed immensely throughout the years to get us to where we are today.  They gave generously of their time, talent, and treasure to make Catholic education a reality and we cannot take those sacrifices for granted.  Generous people continue to make sacrifices today to continue the tradition, and it is imperative that we live with grateful hearts for these blessings.

Parents, you are the first and primary teachers of your children in the faith.  Thank you for the many ways you take that obligation seriously.  Your ability to model the faith to your children cannot be matched by anyone else; you have a unique role bestowed by God.  The Catholic school and parish serve as a support system to assist you in this endeavor, but you provide the foundation upon which these other avenues are able to build.  Please continue to pray with (and for) your children that they may grow in wisdom, grace, and holiness.

Catholic school administrators, you fulfill a significant role in establishing the spiritual climate of your Catholic school.  The spirituality of the faculty, staff, students, and parents cannot simply be an “add-on” thing that you do when it is convenient.  The Christian perspective has to be the central focus of all that takes place on campus, and a Christ-like attitude should permeate every fiber of our Catholic schools.  Administrators, thank you for the leadership you demonstrate to make our Catholicity a reality in the institutions that you serve.  Keep the flame of faith burning brightly.

Faculty and staff, thank you for your ministry to the students and parents who enter the walls of your school.  Your pursuit of excellence as an educator, and as a Christian, creates an environment in your classroom that serves as a catalyst for others to pursue excellence too.  Your enthusiasm for academic learning and faith formation as well as your zest for life are contagious.  You have the opportunity to be a blessing to everyone who enters your room, including your colleagues.  Don’t miss the chance to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ!  

Students, it can be challenging at times to stay focused on learning, loving, and living Christ.  There are many things in the world designed to distract you from those things that are important in your academic studies as well as your faith formation and development.  Please know that the guidance of your parents and teachers is a responsibility they possess by the vocational calling they have received, and it is a responsibility not taken lightly.  While none of us fulfill our duties perfectly, I hope you are able to witness an abundance of love and caring from those whose care you are entrusted.  It is my sincere prayer that each of you experience the immense love of God through the love and respect of your parents and teachers.  Happy Catholic Schools Week!

“Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service”

    

The annual Laramie County Right to Life "Celebrate Life" banquet was held last night in Cheyenne.  Abby Johnson, author of unPLANNED, was the keynote speaker for the evening.  Her testimony was powerful, and the 225 people in attendance were blessed by her candid presentation.  I don't think anyone could have walked out of the building at the end of the evening without being dramatically moved by something she shared.

The list could be rather lengthy if I shared all of the aspects of her talk that moved me profoundly in the nearly one hour long presentation.  However, I will highlight just one line from her challenging remarks that kept me awake for a while during the night.  It was regarding Christian pastors and church leadership, especially those who have the responsibility of preaching in our churches.  I don't have the direct quote, but she basically said that too many Christian pastors have a greater fear of offending their congregations than they have offending God in their preaching.  She challenged us to preach the truth about abortion.  The timidity, and even silence, from church leadership  has certainly contributed to a society that now views abortion as "sacred ground" according to one of our national politicians.

The overarching invitation that each of us received from Abby Johnson was to get involved. Complacency and apathy have no room in our churches. Why have 41 years been allowed to pass with abortion being the law of the land?  Where are the people of God in this battle for the sanctity and dignity of human life from conception through natural death?  It's time to take to heart once again the words of Isaiah,  "Rise up in splendor Jerusalem. Your light has come.  The glory of the Lord shines upon you!"

I had the privilege of giving the closing benediction after Abby's presentation.  While my words didn't carry near the impact as did Abby's, I share them with you here nonetheless.

Closing Benediction


"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"
That is an assurance of God's love solid and true
We are the beloved and precious in his sight
How did our society get to this current plight

Children are viewed as a burden to be discarded
Planned Parenthood is abundantly rewarded
The liberal media calls it "women's health care"
The reality is a truth too heart-wrenching to bear

"Pro-choice" sounds liberating, sensible, and kind
The deception it promotes is the tie that will bind
"Pro-abortion" is not appealing to the one who hears
Accurate terminology could instill worry and fears

Language matters, and progressives know the drill
Don't let anyone know that abortion really does kill
"A woman's right to choose" is now firmly entrenched
Pro-lifers are seen as the radicals who should be benched

"Follow the money" has been an accurate trail in the past
Cut off tax dollars and watch Planned Parenthood move fast
Litigation or legislation--it's all about abortion on demand
Roe versus Wade and Doe versus Bolton--the law of the land

There have been over 40 years of tragedy since that fateful time
Millions have died--and a civilized society doesn't see a crime
Is it apathy and complacency--or is it something much deeper
What has caused us to fail in being our brother and sister's keeper

To the many women (and men) who are experiencing pain
It is not necessary to be isolated and suffering alone in vain
All of the wounds and painful memories you can freely bring
There is healing and forgiveness from Jesus Christ our King

All of us gathered here in this building tonight
Are challenged to keep fighting the good fight
May each of us work with faithfulness and love
And be open to the abundance of grace from above

And so we pray


Heavenly Father, it is with a contrite heart that we humbly seek you
May the love of Jesus strengthen and guide us in what we say and do
Let your Holy Spirit empower us to be faithful witnesses to the sanctity of life
May we never waver in proclaiming the Truth regardless of the difficulty or strife

Oh God, we lift up to you all those who need our prayers now
Your abundant grace and compassionate mercy please endow
For the woman considering an abortion--please give her hope
Give her the strength and courage she needs to effectively cope

For the family and friends surrounding their loved one in need
Give them gentleness and patience to not break a bruised reed
Bring conversion of heart to any father not wanting his child
Let his temperament grow in peace and not be unjustly riled

Guide all of us to grow in appreciation for life and to not be cynics
We pray especially for those who are employed at abortion clinics
The doctors, nurses, support staff, directors, and volunteers too
We plead for their repentance and conversion; we lift them up to You

For each baby who did not have the opportunity to see the light of day
We simply trust in Your love and mercy and know You will guide the way
For the women who still grieve and mourn after years and years
Grant them healing and comfort through their sorrowful tears

Thank You, Father, for all those involved with 40 Days for Life--they are a treasure indeed
Dedication, faithfulness, and compassion--they are truly sowing the seed
A bountiful harvest is being reaped due to the tender, loving care of the soil
Clinics closing, workers leaving, babies living--it is definitely worth the toil

For all who keep faithfully shining the light
We simply pray in Thanksgiving tonight
Let each of us witness to the Truth all across the land
Oh God, firmly hold us in the palm of Your loving hand

Our prayer this night is offered with a contrite heart
From Your ways oh Lord, may we never part
Yesterday, today, and forever--always the same
We make our humble prayer in Jesus' name.

Amen!

Today was the annual March for Life in Cheyenne.  Over 450 people marched from the historic train depot up to the state capitol.  I had the privilege of offering the prayer to begin our pilgrimage up the street and I have included the text of my prayer here below.

Prayer at the Depot
This historic depot is where we have gathered today
In a dedicated effort to unite, witness, reflect, and pray
The capitol building is the destination of our solemn walk
We are giving a voice to the innocent who cannot talk

And so we pray
Almighty God, we come before you with thanks and praise
We recognize your abundant blessings upon all our days
The beauty of Wyoming reveals your creative hand
Your power and majesty is evident all across the land

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has been the dream
Unfortunately, some want to remove this, so it would seem
Unalienable rights that have been bestowed upon us by You
Cannot simply be taken away by others because they want to

We remember especially all those waiting to be born very soon
We pray for each of them as we begin our journey at noon
When the clock strikes twelve and we hear the bell chime
Oh God, we solemnly thank you for the precious gift of time

Let our hearts be moved with great love and compassion today
Instill within us your Holy Spirit as we begin to make our way
Help us to realize that this march isn't simply an entertaining event
It is a witness to Eternal Truth, in a spirit of mission we are being sent

Enkindle in our hearts a sense of responsibility for freedom's cause
In the constant battle for the life of the unborn, we may never pause
Grant us Lord, the resilience and tenacity we need in this fight
May the example of our lives always reflect your radiant light

We pray for all religious leaders, especially those in the role of pastor
May they always keep their eyes focused on You, Teacher and Master
We pray for all of our elected and appointed government officials too
May Your wisdom and grace touch them profoundly so they know what to do

We pray for moms and dads--may they be filled with love and hope
Through the stresses of parenting--may they always find strength to cope
For all of the little children in our midst who exude vibrancy of life
May inner peace and joy be always evident amidst any trial or strife

For obstetrical doctors and nurses who nurture the life of children in its earliest stages
Thank you God for their commitment and dedication throughout the ages
For those in the medical community who approach the unborn with a different intent
We pray for conversion of heart, that they will fulfill their role as it was meant

For all who have been scarred by abortion in some significant way
We simply hold them up to you, Lord, and bow our heads and pray
Please grant them repentance, healing, and genuine peace of heart
Let them profoundly know that Your love will never, ever part

All those in the media and entertainment industry we boldly lift up to You
May they experience conversion so that You are honored in the work they do
We pray for a renewed sense of purity in our time
May modesty and chastity be viewed as proper and prime

We pray for all pro-lifers who will be marching in Washington, D.C.
May their presence at our nation's capitol serve to be instrumental and key
We pray for each of us gathered here in Cheyenne this day
Let us strive to be beacons of light showing the way

As we prepare for our pilgrimage up the street
We want our prayer to be complete
Yesterday, today, and forever You are the same
That is why we make this prayer in Jesus' name.

Amen!

Today is the anniversary of the deaths of Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy.  The names will probably not ring a bell for most people, but they were both murdered in 1978 at Florida State University in the Chi Omega Sorority House.  Each of them would be in their mid-fifties today if they were still alive, but unfortunately their lives were tragically cut short by the actions of a man whose name I will not mention.  Sadly, his name is very recognizable.  If you do an internet search utilizing the names of the women, you will get many more hits for the man who killed them than what you will get for the victims.  (It seems that too often in our modern society we create a lasting memory of the perpetrator of a crime rather than the victims.)

I did not know either of the victims and have no direct connection to them at all.  Yet, I get a deep sense of sadness when I think about the last moments of their lives.  Simply reading about the brutal nature of the attack was enough to make my heart break for these innocent young women.  I can only imagine the grief that was experienced by their parents, other family members, their friends and classmates.  

Following the murders, fear permeated other female students as they wondered if such an attack would happen again.  The ripple effect of such a heinous crime extends quite far into the surrounding community.  It was painfully evident that a sense of safety and security was lost as news spread about the early Sunday morning attack on these women while they slept.  Shock, disbelief, and terror swept through the corridors.  Life had ended for two individuals and was severely damaged for two others who survived the vicious attack at the Chi Omega house.  A fifth victim was severely beaten at another location as well.  Ultimately, life was changed for a multitude of people that morning due to the emotional distress that such a disastrous event can bring upon us.

Our nation and our society are in desperate need of prayer for healing for the many acts of senseless violence that takes place all too frequently.  May the memories of Lisa Levy and Margaret Bowman remind us today that we need to be those people of prayer!

“After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”  ~Matthew 3:16-17

The theological significance of our liturgical celebrations last week (Solemnity of the Epiphany) and this week (Baptism of the Lord) are immense. The manifestation of Jesus as Savior, as the Suffering Servant so accurately portrayed by the prophet Isaiah, invites us to truly, “Rise up in splendor.” Are we willing to take to heart that the glory of the Lord shines upon us? If so, we have both a magnificent privilege and responsibility, to let that radiance shine. “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.”  ~Isaiah 60:3

The celebration of the Baptism of the Lord is an excellent time for each of us to reflect upon our baptismal calling. We are called to holiness. The temptations of the world can lure us into becoming complacent. We watch the moral decay and debauchery all around us and can easily come to the conclusion that we are doing okay comparatively speaking. We can judge our actions against the rest of society as a whole and quickly get a sense of righteousness. This is a dangerous path. The more perceptive evaluation reflects upon our lives in comparison to the glory of God which has shone upon us. Am I reflecting the light of Truth, Jesus Christ?

Our culture has been very effective at desensitizing us to sin. Each one of us can probably point to things that would have greatly offended us years ago but don’t hardly make us flinch now. The television and entertainment industry has incrementally challenged our morality through the years, and we now accept the reality of filth on our screens without complaint. If we are honest with ourselves as people of faith, shouldn’t we be outraged at some of what passes for entertainment? Why is it that the media industry has been so successful in taking us down the path of moral decline?

I had the privilege of baptizing a baby girl on Christmas Day and I was profoundly touched as the white garment was placed around her signifying her purity. The grace of God is brilliant. The white garment and the burning of a candle at the Rite of Baptism are symbols of a reality which should strike every believer to the depths of our being. God loves us so much that we are welcomed into the family. We share in the Divine life of Christ. Wow!

Do we take seriously our baptismal promises? Do we truly mean the words of the Creed when we profess our faith? If we answered yes to both of these questions, then it is time for one last question. Do our lives accurately portray that which we profess to believe? 

On January 9, 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Pennsylvania law that subjected abortion providers to criminal sanctions if they failed to attempt to preserve the life of a fetus when there is "sufficient reason to believe that the fetus may be viable" or when the fetus “is viable.”  The Abortion Control Act had been passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1974, the year following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Roe v. Wade in 1973. 

Reading some of the brief of Colautti v. Franklin is enough to make one’s stomach churn.  The case centered upon the uncertainty of physicians knowing when a fetus is viable or not.  The U.S. Supreme Court concluded, “The prospect of such disagreement, in conjunction with a statute imposing strict civil and criminal liability for an erroneous determination of viability, could have a profound chilling effect on the willingness of physicians to perform abortions near the point of viability in the manner indicated by their best medical judgment.”  Planned Parenthood was successful again in the continuing slaughter of the innocent. 

Isn’t it horrendous to be discussing the possibility of a baby being able to live outside the womb as problematic?  Modern society possesses immense and intricate medical technology designed to preserve life.  It is almost unimaginable to think that despite these advances, we have a segment of population hell-bent on destroying life.  Ultra-sound technology continues to provide more and more details about life in the womb to the point where it is now easy to visibly see the miracle of life in its earliest stages.  What will it take for people to truly see the gift of God for what it is?  When will we preserve, honor, and respect life as deigned by our Creator?

Almost 41 years have passed since the Roe v. Wade decision?  Millions of babies have lost their lives. Countless women (and men) have suffered the mental and emotional anguish from decisions made years ago, maybe even decades ago.  Medical statistics are implicating abortion procedures to an increase in other health risks.  Empirical data clearly reveals that abortion is not healthy.  It almost always kills the baby, and it is becoming more and more clear that is has numerous detrimental effects on the life of the mother as well.  Yet, when these pieces of evidence are mentioned, they are simply dismissed as a continuation of the war on women.

People of faith, let us not be discouraged.  I urge you to continue to be diligent in your efforts to create a culture of life.  Get involved.  PRAY! 

Fr. John Dear wrote an article for the National Catholic Reporter on January 7, 2014 announcing that after 32 years he was leaving the Jesuits. 

(You can read it here: http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/leaving-jesuits-after-32-years)

Several years ago I read his book entitled, “A Persistent Peace.”  Since that time I have read his columns periodically and have had the opportunity to attend one of his presentations as well.  One thing is for sure; he gives a person something to think about in regard to pursuing peace.  Whether you agree or disagree with his tactics, most people will recognize that Fr. John Dear has certainly raised awareness about living a nonviolent lifestyle.

I am not going to enter into the debate about the methodologies Fr. John employed to get his message across to people.  His multiple arrests are self-explanatory in that regard.  However, I want to reflect upon the challenge that I sensed after reading his book and being present at one of his presentations.  Father John stirred up a desire within me to truly make a commitment to transformation.  Living with the status quo certainly did not appear to be a viable option if I was going to seriously strive to live out the teachings of the Gospel. There had to be changes in my thinking, as well as in my prayer and actions, if I had any hope of effectively entering into a way of life focused on peace, healing and nonviolence.  Apathy and complacency should not be taking up residence in my day-to-day experiences. 

The discernment process of Fr. John Dear over the last few years must have been excruciatingly difficult.  An individual doesn’t walk away from 32 years of commitment without a significant amount of internal struggle.  I wish Fr. Dear well in his new endeavors.  Furthermore, I hope he has the opportunity to experience healing and peace in his life and ministry as he moves ahead.