Friday, January 22 will mark the 54th Anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade,which made abortion legal in this country. Even though that decision was overturned in 2023 many states have kept abortion legal and some have even inscribed this so-called “right” into their state constitutions, Ohio being one if them. Some states have thankfully made abortion illegal. I have written and spoken on this topic many times and I will continue to do so because it is so important to our society and our nation. I am sure there are those who do not agree with the Church’s teaching on abortion, but in this case to disagree with the Church is to disagree with God Himself. This is a very bold stance that many Christians in our country and the world take in regard to abortion. God told us in no uncertain terms: “YOU SHALL NOT KILL.” He made no exceptions. It is always wrong to take the life of another human being, especially the life of an innocent child.
The right to life is the most basic right of every human being as stated in the Declaration of Independence. We must ask ourselves if we truly believe in the principles upon which our nation is founded. There are many in our country who have disregarded the Constitution so why should we respect the Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of Independence is rooted in the truth as revealed by God. We are indeed given certain rights by God, and no one has the power to deprive us of these rights and life is the first and foremost right that our Creator has given us because He has created us.
Please continue to pray for a greater respect for all human life from the moment of conception to natural death. Use all the power you have, especially the power of your vote to choose leaders and law makers who have a profound respect for human life without exception. This is the truth as God has revealed it to us and our laws must reflect what He has revealed or they will lead us further and further away from Him and that is exactly what is happening in our nation and our world.
Never be afraid to witness to the truth in your conversations with family, friends, co-workers, or anyone you may meet. We are called to be prophets by virtue of our baptism in Christ and that means we witness to the truth as He has taught us. God will guide our words and actions if we ask Him and remain close to Him in prayer and the sacraments.
Save the date: Saturday February 7, will be our next Iron Chef Competition to raise funds for our St. Vincent de Paul Society. This is a great event to help raise funds to care for those in need. It is an evening with around three hundred people in attendance that is filledwith good food, great fellowship, and a truly good cause, helping the poor and those not as fortunate. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society has done a great job in making this event more and more successful each year, but what truly makes it so successful is the goodness and generosity of so many wonderful members of our parish community. The tremendous support that the St. Vincent de Paul Society receives from our parish community on every level surely indicates that our parish community is very much committed to help the poor and needy in our community.
It is clear that so many take to heart the words of the Gospel as Jesus instructs us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. These are the very things that Jesus told us we would be judged on when He returns. This generosity and willingness to share our blessings with others comes from a praying community as evidenced by our perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel of Divine Mercy. What a blessing this has been for our parish in so many ways, but especially in the areas of charity and vocations. The hours upon hours that people spend in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament have had a profound effect on who we are as a parish community. I very much encourage more and more people to spend time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and consider even signing up for a specific holy hour that one could even share with others. We can never underestimate the power of prayer even when we do not see the immediate results but simply trust in the Lord that He will hear and answer our prayers the best way.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK is coming soon; January 25 – January 31. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2026 is “Catholic Schools Week: United in Faith and Community,” emphasizing holiness through daily life, service, and strong family involvement, with a focus on building faith-filled communities and contributing to the wider world. We strive to teach our students to be leaders in the Catholic Faith by living and sharing the teachings of the Gospel with others. This is the way to true success in this life and more importantly in the life to come. Teaching our children to succeed is to teach them the way to heaven and instill in them the desire to lead others in the same way. In other words, to do whatever Jesus tells us.
