A new chapter in our country

Wow! It has been quite awhile since I have blogged. Not to make excuses, but Fr. Frank has been away from the parish for nearly two weeks and it is quite the task to care for a parish of 13,000 parishioners by oneself. He returned late last week and I have decided to make a commitment to blog at least twice a week.

I had spoken a couple of blogs ago about needing to contemplate where to go next with the blog. I think that with the elections finished and with the pro-life movement facing some significant challenges in the coming months and year our topic for the foreseeable future is going to be on pro-life issues and also touching upon family life issues.

The day after the elections, I posted the last blog entry titled Life will Prevail in which I spoke of the challenges and struggles we will face. I also posted this same entry on my Facebook site, specifically our Youth group that we have on the site. In fact, the post I just mentioned was actually a modified version of the one I originally posted on Facebook. The reason I chose to write it for our teens was due to the fact that on election night, when John McCain conceded the election, dozens of our youth were devastated. Some were surprised and some were simply disappointed. However, many of the teens were confused, concerned, lost and even deeply depressed by the outcome of the elections. These teens were disappointed because of what they see as a huge blow to the pro-life movement. While I will discuss the effects of the election on the pro-life movement in my next blog, I wanted to focus on what I saw as a very important reaction by these teens.

The reaction by the teens is understandable because teens like to feel secure in their future. However, what struck me so much was the passion these teens had for pro-life. Dozens of teens were expressing these varied emotions because it impacts the pro-life movement. That, to me, is immensely encouraging to the future of our Church. For teens from age 13 to 20 to be so passionate and concerned about the issues of life in our society says so much to how our next generation is going to influence the pro-life cause. I have 44 Prince of Peace teens as friends on my Facebook. Out of those 44 teens 19 of them expressed their concern on the night of the election. That is 43% of the youth on my Facebook! That is impressive and gives me great hope for the future.

As I told the youth that next morning and as I have told them since then, the pro-life movement isn't dead. Far from it. In fact, the pro-life movement has the opportunity to energize more than ever now as we will face new and more difficult challenges in the coming years. No matter the difficulties, no matter the challenges, no matter the setbacks we may face it is important to remember this: Our role is to continue to spread the Gospel message and fight the battles against the Culture of Death knowing we will prevail because Death has been conquered by Christ. Life wins. That is the message we are called to proclaim to the world. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 09:38 | link | comments |
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Life will prevail

Many of you are disappointed with the results of the elections last night. Emotions range from disappointment to feeling lost at how to respond to near despair. It is these emotions that compelled me to write you this morning.

There is no doubt that, because of the results of the elections, the Culture of Life and pro-life movement will face some difficult challenges and struggles in the coming years. Our President-Elect is openly pro-abortion. Many of the elected Senators and Congressmen, both federal and local, advocate abortion. A number of proposed state amendments restricting abortion were defeated. You are probably thinking, "you are NOT making us feel better by telling us this." However, I say these things to point out the reality we find ourselves in today. But, there is another reality we must realize: Jesus Christ ultimately prevails.

Evil will be crushed by the Power of God - scripture tells us so. Our faith guarantees this and there is no disputing this. Yet, we will still face struggles. Jesus gained victory over death but he had to suffer greatly first. What did Jesus do when he faced these sufferings? He persevered. He picked up the cross and bore its weight to give us life. He kept moving forward despite the suffering he faced. He knew that beyond the suffering lay the glory of God. So it is the same for us.

We will face new crises, struggles and challenges to the pro-life movement. But, we must NEVER give up. We have, are and will continue to make a difference. The Culture of Life is not going to be won at the polling booth. Life is won one person at a time. Life wins by our continued work each and every day. Life is won by you. Keep promoting life. Keep spreading the Gospel truth: Life wins. death is destroyed. Pray for the future of this country. Pray for a change of heart for those in political positions who oppose to the Culture of Life. Finally, pray for each other that we may be strengthened and united to continue God's work here on earth knowing that Life will ultimately prevail. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 06:32 | link | comments |
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