Alive & Well?
The month of October is designated by our Catholic community in the United States as “Respect Life Month”. As Catholics we believe that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. Every human life is therefore sacred and inviolable and should be protected and cherished from conception until natural death. Practices such as abortion, assisted suicide, and capital punishment violate the dignity of the human person and must be rejected. How do you witness to the sanctity of life in your everyday activities?
This weekend is the annual “Pennies from Heaven” weekend and all are asked to consider supporting the various Respect Life Centers in Orange County. Such centers as Casa Teresa, Mary’s Path, Precious Life Center and Obria Clinics serve all who come to them, regardless of race or creed. They are there to help defend life and offer an entire array of services when called upon. We will have large bottles in the courtyard after all Masses each weekend of this month for any monetary donations you might wish to give. Thank you for your generosity.
The first reading from Genesis and the gospel reading from Mark this weekend focus on God’s plan for his people in their covenant of married love. These readings place before us what God wants for us: however, it is all of our experience that not all marriages last “til death do us part”. There is a continuing need to offer respect, care, and support for our separated and divorced Catholic sisters and brothers; one of these supports can be found in the bulletin on page 8 regarding a support group for divorced Catholics that is
being started. Also, I am always available to talk to anyone who wishes about applying for a Church annulment after divorce, or sacramentally blessing a civil marriage, or helping in any way I can to support married life in our parish. Please don’t hesitate to call upon me.
Finally, we all count in the eyes of God. And we all are going to be counted at weekend Masses this month of October for annual Mass count of the Diocese of Orange. Don’t be surprised if you hear the sound of clickers in the Mass!
Monsignor John Urell
