The Cornerstone
October 11, 2020
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Dear Friends in Christ,
This yard sign, someone’s dream of Jesus being on the ballot, is just that: a fantastical dream! Jesus does not desire to be on any ballot. He does desire, however, to be on the top of your mind and in your heart as you work through your ballot. Considering your ballot in this way entails that you can truly do so as a faithful Catholic. And doing so presupposes that you have a well-formed and informed conscience. Sadly, many have consciences that are not properly formed or informed. Many go about supporting candidates and causes with very little thought as to the consequences of their political decisions. As Christians, we are not people of the world. We cannot go along with any whim or fancy of the left or the right, or even in-between. We are called to be in the world, yes, but not of it. We are called not to go along with the world, but to change the world through the love of Christ. By our baptism, we are held to a higher standard, even in voting. We are called to be radicals, who reach for the heights, as Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati once said, in a world that often settles for less or compromises the truth.
Bishop Robert Barron recently penned this short article on how we can approach our ballots as faithful Catholics. I hope you find it useful in setting your compass in these turbulent times.
FOUR PRINCIPLES FOR CATHOLICS DURING ELECTION SEASON
by Bishop Robert Barron
Every four years, Catholics face an intense dilemma in regard to the vote. There are ardently Catholic Democrats who wonder how their co-religionists could possibly choose a Republican candidate, and there are ardently Catholic Republicans who express precisely the opposite opinion. And both sides, typically, look with eagerness to their bishops and priests to resolve the tension. Each presidential election cycle, the Church endeavors to clarify the issue, usually to the satisfaction of very few. However, under the rubric of “once more unto the breach, dear friends,” let me try to provide some direction by articulating four basic principles.
First, Catholic social teaching clearly goes beyond the split between Republican and Democrat, between liberal and conservative, and therefore corresponds perfectly with neither political camp. Anyone who says that either of our political parties perfectly, or even adequately, represents Catholic social thought is simply misinformed. Broadly speaking, the Democratic Party advocates a number of themes and principles reverenced by the Catholic tradition: concern for the underprivileged, for the migrant and refugee, and for the environment, as well as opposition to capital punishment and to all forms of racism. And again, broadly speaking, the Republican Party sides with Catholic teaching in a number of ways: opposition to abortion and euthanasia, defense of the traditional family, advocacy for conscience protection and freedom of religion. Which of the two parties is more “Catholic?” It seems to me impossible to adjudicate the question in the abstract.
Are we left, therefore, simply in a lurch? Not quite, and this leads to the second principle I would like to explicate: among the various values mentioned, a priority must be given to the defense of human life, since life is the most fundamental good of all, the one without which the other goods wouldn’t obtain. Therefore, in the political calculus of a Catholic, opposition to abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment should take pride of place. Now, just to keep things complicated, Republicans are relatively right in regard to the first two and Democrats in regard to the last one, though, to be sure, the number of those threatened by abortion and euthanasia is far greater than the number of those under threat of capital punishment. Sometimes people will say that all lives are equally sacred, but in this context, that observation is something of a red herring. For the relevant question is not which lives are more sacred—those of the unborn, the elderly, the poor, the migrant—but which lives are more direly and directly threatened.
And this leads to a third principle: a Catholic may never vote for a candidate because that candidate supports a morally repugnant position, only despite that support and only because of balancing considerations. Thus, for example, a Catholic in good conscience could never say that she will vote for Joe Biden because the Democrat is pro-choice, and by the same token, a Catholic in good conscience could never say that he will vote for Donald Trump because the Republican is for capital punishment. Each would have to say some version of “despite his unacceptable position, I will vote for him because, in prudence, I have determined that other commitments of his and/or his own character counter-balances his objectionable opinion.” Does this lead us into somewhat murky waters? Frankly, yes, but that’s necessarily the case when we’re dealing not with matters of principle but matters of prudence.
And this last statement conduces to my fourth and final proposition: Catholics ought never to disagree in regard to moral principles, but they can indeed legitimately disagree about the best means to instantiate those principles. So, for example, I think that every Catholic in America ought to embrace the political ideals that I identified above, some more characteristic of the left and others of the right. Every Catholic ought to be for protecting the environment, serving the poor, defending the traditional family, battling social injustice, advocating for religious liberty and freedom of conscience, etc. But not every Catholic is obliged to subscribe to the same means of attaining those ends. Liberal and conservative Catholics can disagree about the Paris Climate Accords, the legitimacy of off-shore drilling, the advisability of reforming our health-care system, changes to our tax laws, the level of the minimum wage, the best policy in regard to Wall Street regulation, etc., etc. Those latter issues are open to legitimate debate and are matters for prudential judgment.
Perhaps I might, in closing, not so much propose a fifth principle, as deliver myself of a cri de coeur: Vote! Some Catholics are tempted—and I will admit to feeling the tug of this temptation—that because things are so complicated politically for those who advocate Catholic social teaching, it is best to say, “a plague on both your houses,” and keep to the sidelines. But this is not a tenable position. In the Lord’s Prayer, we petition, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The Gospel message does indeed draw us ultimately to eternal life on high with the Lord, but it also has real-world implications here below. If we Catholics don’t involve ourselves in the political process, as messy as that often is, we permit Catholic social teaching to remain a set of harmless abstractions.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. David Mulholland
Pastor
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REGISTER for Mass
It is wonderful to see everyone returning to Mass. The Sunday 9:00 am Mass at St. Patrick Church is regularly at full COVID-19 capacity. In order to ensure the safety and health of all our parishioners we must ask the following:
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Register for Mass. We are not be able to allow walk-ins.
- Arrive early— at least 10 minutes before Mass.
If possible, choose a liturgy other than the 9 AM Mass at St. Patrick to attend. The Saturday 5 pm Vigil and the Sunday 11 am Mass have plenty of room, as do the liturgies at the parishes of Holy Cross and St. Rita of Cascia But don't forget to register for those as well! We encourage you to continue attending and thank you for understanding.
The dispensation for Mass is still in effect. VIEW Mass times.
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Livestreaming MASS
We livestream Mass at 9 AM on Sundays from Saint Patrick Church, the all-school Mass at 9 AM a few Fridays each month and the first Friday of each month at 11 AM.
Subscribing to our YouTube Channel is not necessary to watch the Mass, however it allows you to set reminders to tune in and provides us with the option of livestreaming from a mobile device when we reach 1000 subscribers. We are so close! Less than 100 subscribers are needed!
Check-in on Facebook and invite your friends and family to watch and make your weekly offertory gift via Online Giving. [Scroll to the bottom to find your parish link.]
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October 13 | 9 am
for the repose of the soul of Lawrence Merkle
October 14 | 9 am
for the repose of the soul of
Sr. Jerry Lyness, OP
October 15| 9 am
for the repose of the souls of Tamara & Algirdas Maciulis
October 16 | 9 am
for the repose of the soul of the Mike Studley
October 17 | 5 pm
October 18 | 9 am & 11 am
for the people of the parish
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October 12 | 9 am
for the intention of
Keith Klappmeyer
October 14 | 5 pm
for the repose of the soul of
Raymond Gores
October 15| 9 am
for the repose of the soul of
Floyd Seher
October 16 | 9 am
for the intentions of
Sheila Gavigan
October 17 | 5 pm
October 18| 10 am
for the people of the parish
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ROSARY
October is the Month of the Rosary
Join us as we pray the rosary at 4:30 pm each Saturday in October. Bring your rosary. If you don't have one, we'll provide one for you.
Please wear a mask, sign in when you arrive and practice social distancing in the pews.
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33 Days to Morning Glory Small Group Retreat
Do you want to transform your work, your marriage, your family, and your life, but don’t have time? Are you looking for the quickest, surest, and easiest way to holiness, but don’t know where to begin? In our hectic day and time, Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa knew that the quickest way to be transformed into a saint is through a relationship with Our Blessed Mother, Mary.
November 5 - December 8
Consecration on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Join us on November 5 as we begin a 33-day preparation for Marian Consecration, using the book 33 Days to Morning Glory, by popular author and speaker Father Michael Gaitley, MIC. For six weeks, we’ll individually read about and reflect on four great Marian giants: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II. They’ll teach us the secrets to drawing closer to the Heart of Jesus through the Heart of Mary.
In weekly meetings, we’ll share insights within our small group and watch a 30-minute video by Father Gaitley which will bring our individual reflections and group experience into a clear and liveable focus. If you’re looking for a simple way to be spiritually renewed, develop a deeper relationship with Our Merciful Savior, and grow in holiness, join us for the 33 Days to Morning Glory Small Group Retreat.
You will need the book 33 Days to Morning Glory to participate in the retreat. Order the book through the parish or shop order online at www.ShopMercy.org/HAPP. The book is also available at all Catholic bookstores.
REGISTER
Contact retreat coordinator, Leslie Gasper before October 29
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ADORATION
Archbishop Etienne began Year of the Eucharist on the Feast of Corpus Christi for the Archdiocese of Seattle and asked us to spend this time pondering the true presence of Jesus's Sacred Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Read his pastoral letter, "The Work of Redemption." Join us for Adoration. Click the parish links below to sign up and keep watch for an hour.
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BOOK STUDY
The Good Shepherd and the Child,
a Joyful Journey
Our podcast/book study gives the listener/reader an opportunity to learn about the spirituality of the young child and the spiritual truths we can learn from the youngest among us. This book study is for everyone, not just those with young children. Together, we will discover how living the way of the child invites us, as adults, into a place of contemplation, peace, and joy.
October 14, 21, 28
6:30-7:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 910 3947 1459
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FORMED Now! Pope John Paul II's Letter on the Rosary
Dr. Tim Gray and Lucas Pollice discuss Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae. You can find the entire apostolic letter here:...
Read more
watch.formed.org
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FORMED
Available on your phone, tablet, laptop or TV for FREE as our gift!
To sign up:
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Click HERE to get started, then...
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Enter zip code 98403 or parish St. Patrick [regardless of your parish affliation]
- Enter your email and your in!
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WORLD MISSION SUNDAY COLLECTION
Next weekend, we will celebrate World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis is inviting the entire church to support priests, religious and lay leaders around the world as they bring the Gospel to thosemost in need. Please keep the Pope’s missions in your prayers and be generous in your support of next week’s collection. Use the giving link below that corresponds with your parish.
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WEEKLY OFFERTORY
An offertory collection basket is located at the back of the sanctuary during Mass for contactless giving. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, please mail in your gift or consider Online Giving, — Fr. David gives this way! It is safe and easy.
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ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL
It’s not too late to contribute to the Annual Catholic Appeal. All three of our parishes have aways to go to achieving goals. Please contribute what you can to support the good work of the Church in Western Washington!
If you have already made your gift - THANK YOU! If not, please consider making a gift this year. Many of our parish households have not responded yet.
No gift is too small. If you’re unsure what to give, please consider a gift of $1 a day or $365 or more. The average gift is $417. Make your gift online, use the pledge envelope you received in the mail or call in your gift at 800-809-4921.
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40 DAYS FOR LIFE
Over 60 million American children have died through abortion. This Vigil of Prayer, fasting, and public witness has saved over 16,000 known lives since its inception in 2007. Volunteers are needed now through November 1 for two hour shifts, especially on Fridays to stand witness on the sidewalk in from the Cedar River Clinic, 1401-A Martin Luther King Jr Way in Tacoma. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. To sign up email Tacoma40DaysForLife@gmail.com. |
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Read the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities' statement on Respect Life month.
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Election Day is November 3. Ballots will be mailed around October 16. Remember to turn in your ballots early. Register online to vote before October 26. After October 26 you can register to vote in person at your county election office. |
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ANNUAL FUND 21
2020 has been a most challenging year. St. Patrick School has risen to the challenge but we need every parish family to contribute so that we can deliver our high caliber, Christ-centered education to as many students as possible.
"Believe that St. Patrick School brings our children into the ever-present love of Jesus Christ, that our school delivers academic excellence, and that our school builds a community of responsible learners, critical thinkers and servant leaders."
Neil & Heidi Wachter
The average gift to Annual Fund 2020 was $509 and 100% of our school families participated. Parishioners comprised 40% of the gifts made to the annual fund. Believe that your support is as critical now as it has ever been; as always we strive for full participation from our school families and hope to exceed our financial goal of $190,000 with the support of our parish community!
Ready to make your gift? DONATE today! Did you know that after you make our gift you can set up a personal fundraising page to invite friends and family to support Catholic education? |
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Be social, while social distancing!
Get connected. Stay connected.
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