As I write, the day before the first Tuesday in November, I’m anxious about the outcome of Issue 1. Last I heard, polling showed the “yes” vote had a majority, bolstered by nearly twice the advertising spending as the “no” side. What if Issue 1 passes and our Ohio Constitution provides sweeping support for abortion rights?
Certainly, one can say that a basis for our country’s democratic republic, majority rule, will have had an opportunity to be exercised, even as I replaced about ten “Vote No” signs posted on Nativity Church property over the course of the last months which were stolen or defaced… in quite undemocratically republic-like actions!
However, that the constitution is amended in response to majority rule does not mean that our great state is greater because of it, far from it.
Unfortunately, rather than being an inspiration for other states in protecting the most defenseless, Ohio will likely lead other states in denying rites to the unborn and parents by amending their constitutions with freedoms not intended by constitutional creators. Our beloved United States’ march to provide ever greater freedoms may well march us down a road that perhaps the Roman Empire marched: decline and fall, due to a godless majority that sees excessive freedoms as its god.
Amazingly, Jesus and the Church tell us to expect opposition, persecution and apparent defeat as essential parts of the coming of the Kingdom! What kind of things will we, as the Church, continue to be and do despite opposition and evil?
Wonderfully, Catholics will continue to call society to respect life in all its stages. The Church will continue to advocate for the poor better than any other institution in the world. It will provide true healthcare to more people than any other world institution, especially healthcare for the poor and healthcare that respects the sexed human body as essential to who we are. The Church will continue to teach more children than any other school system.
The Father of Lies will win some victories, perhaps a seeming majority. This scenario doesn’t frighten followers of Jesus. Experiencing defeats small and large, we know that Jesus has won the victory. We experience and are nourished by Him, and we share His victory Sunday after Sunday! Thanks to those who voted “no” on Issue 1!
Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)
Please see page 13 of the bulletin to read more about next weekend’s second envelope/collection for CCHD. Also, read on for some thanks for helping the poor and an important call to action for Nativity Parishioners.
Van for Pantry
One last thanks to St. Saviour Parishioner Wayne Rahe who donated his van to the Bond Hill Food Pantry…and thanks to Henry Baily who leads the pantry. Last week, I failed to put in a picture of Henry and Wayne when the van was donated. Thanks to all who work at and donate to the pantry, as well as to our St. Vincent de Paul pantries at all our parishes!
Nativity St. Vincent de Paul
Nativity parishioners please see the attached note from Kathy Michel, who is president of Nativity’s St. Vincent de Paul. While it is an appeal to Nativity Parishioners, I am confident that it can apply to all our St. Vincent de Paul chapters and can be a call to action for all of us!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pat
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Dear Nativity Parishioners,
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is our church’s largest and longest-running community outreach program. In our last fiscal year (Oct. 1 2022-Sept. 30, 2023) we helped 932 families stay in their homes by providing rental assistance, kept their utilities on by helping with energy and water bills, repaired their cars so they could get to work, put food on the table, and provided beds for a good night’s sleep.
This is a significant increase in families served. We rely on the financial support of our parish to do this ministry. Presently, our funds are very low and the holidays are a time of exceptional need. Without your support, we will have to stop providing rent and utility assistance. Please consider an emergency donation to the Nativity Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
The families we help are truly our neighbors, living within our parish boundaries. Donations can be made during mass in the collection baskets or they can be dropped off at a parish office. There is also an option to donate online at crescentparishes.org/give, click Nativity of Our Lord, and then select the St. Vincent de Paul Society button.
We would also much appreciate your prayers for our conference as we do the work of Jesus in preferring the poor and in need.