Affordable Care Act and funding for abortion

The following is from the Social Action Office of the Archdiocese:

Urge the U.S. Senate to End Taxpayer Funding of Abortions under the Affordable Care Act

For some time, the U.S. Catholic bishops, and the Catholic Social Action Office locally, have advocated for affordable health care for all while avoiding any taxpayer support for abortions.  The following action alert is being promoted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Thank you for your advocacy!

Please urge your two U.S. Senators to co-sponsor and support the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Acts. After the elections, the Senate will be in session starting November 12. Now is the time to express your views. Please click here to send messages to your Senators today! 

What has developed is this. On September 15, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report identifying over a thousand health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that cover elective abortions, many of which do not inform enrollees about the inclusion or cost of abortion coverage. These problems flow directly from defects in the ACA.   Earlier this year, the House combined two measures that would correct these problems, passing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (H.R. 7).   The Senate must act. It should take up and pass H.R. 7, or pass the separate Senate bills, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (S. 946) and the Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (S. 1848).   The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would place in permanent law a consistent policy against using federal tax dollars to support or promote elective abortion. Since 1976 this principle has been embodied in the Hyde amendment and many other laws. That longstanding policy should be applied to the ACA. At a minimum, the Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would ensure that enrollees are fully informed about abortion coverage and abortion premiums in the ACA’s health care plans so they can choose a plan in accord with their moral principles.

Thanks for all that you do in support of life!

Respect for Life Sunday

PASTOR’S CORNER

September 28, 2014

Next weekend is Respect Life Sunday.  I believe that many of the moral principles that undergird the Church’s teaching on Respect for Life form a moral approach to immigration, as well.  As you’ve heard me say on various occasions many issues are both moral and political.  For instance, who can deny that abortion is both political and moral?  That is why we Catholics should strive to form our conscience on these and all matters of moral consequence.

Too often we “take a stand” without doing the tough work of examining what moral principles underlie my “take”.  We allow the rhetoric of talk radio or some other source to form our conscience without every stopping to look at the hierarchy of values that are in play.  Forming a Catholic conscience means giving first place in the chaos of voices to the voice of the Church.  When a Catholic says, “I don’t agree with the Church” on this or that, what value or values do you put higher than the values the Church lifts up?  It means measuring my “take” against Catholic moral principles; not measuring Catholic moral principles against my opinion.

If this is something that you want to explore further, I will be giving an overview on what is uniquely Catholic about scripture, morality, and spirituality in a series of three classes in October.  You’ll find more info elsewhere in the bulletin.  On Oct. 27 I’ll be at St. John’s, West Chester addressing the Catholic Church’s approach to immigration, both internationally and nationally.  I’m sure they’d welcome anyone from St. Julie Billiart.  Unlike a homily, this forum, though, allows for responses and questions.

Recent “Pastor’s Corners”

PASTOR’S CORNER

September 14, 2014

The English as a Second Language classes, taught by Butler Tech and the Hamilton City Schools, is off to another successful semester, the third.  These are professionally taught classes making use of technology and very practical exercises.  A number of our parishioners are taking advantage of these classes.

However, we’d probably be able to increase attendance if we could put together a few volunteers to pick up the students and bring them to the Fenmont for the 9:00 am class and return them home after the class ends at noon.  Many of our families have only one vehicle, and it is used by the spouse to get to work.  If you are interested, let Fr. Mike know.

As I said last week in giving the brief financial overview, “Thanks”. We have every confidence that the Fund Drive will reach its goal.  If we can get some more bingo workers, we’ll be able to continue that important source for the operating budget.

When I was at St. Michael Parish in Sharonville we had the opportunity to commission a new large crucifix for the church.  During the homily on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross the committee everyone at Mass to share with us their experience of prayer before the cross.  We used the written responses as the content of an evening of reflection for the committee to prepare to enter into the commissioning process.  This is a special feast for me.

PASTOR’S CORNER

September 21, 2014

This weekend was the annual Hike for Hospice here in Hamilton. Either your family, or that of someone you know, has benefited from Hospice.  Hospice serves patients and their families in many ways both at home and in the in-patient unit.

They are also offering resources to have the necessary, but difficult, conversation about end of life decisions.  Bottom line is that having that conversation in advance, in an organized way, is a great gift to your family.  But how to do that?  The website http://www.conversationsofalifetime.org/ has a wealth of materials to help.  Even if you are not comfortable with a computer, I’m sure you have family members who are.

In addition, if there is sufficient interest, they would probably come and offer a session here.  Let me know.

Homily notes from 9/21/2014

Occasionally folks will ask for the text of a homily.  As you are probably aware, I do use some notes.  But it is an outline.

A few people have asked for notes from yesterday’s homily.  Here’s the outline I followed:

There are a couple of things that are true about every parable:

• Parables are always about the KINGDOM OF GOD.

• So this parable is not about how ECONOMIC systems SHOULD work, but how GOD DOES work

• Parables almost always have a “gottcha”, a surprise
  • Because God’s ways and my ways are rarely the same

LET ME BE HONEST: I find this parable DIFFICULT

• I prefer my God to be reasonable
• If God is the owner, we can REASONABLY ask if he’s considered all the UNINTENDED consequences of this pay scheme

For some perspective: The Dutch theologian of the last century: Piet Fransen asked how you relate to the following story:

• There’s a man who during his whole life is entirely CARELESS about God and morality.
• He’s selfish, ignores the commandments, and all things religious, and is basically consumed with pursuing his own pleasure.
• Then, just hours before his death, he repents of his sin, makes a sincere confession and he dies in the state of grace, RECONCILED WITH GOD.

I don’t know about you, but my first reaction is: “That’s not fair.”

• The same reaction as the workers who spent the whole day working
• Just like the elder son in the parable of the Prodigal Son who says to his father who had just welcomed his brother: ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.

Let’s be HONEST, many of us are envious that the MAN in Fransen’s story GOT AWAY WITH IT

• If we’re ENVIOUS it is because we might see life away from God’s house as at least more interesting than life inside God’s house,
• It may be that we are still doing the right things often out of spiritless duty,
• And maybe even that we secretly envy the amoral.

But, if this is true, we must be gentle with ourselves.

• This is an occupational hazard for good, faithful persons.
• The “gottcha” is to help bring US along

Some things to consider:

1. My reaction to today’s Gospel Parable depends on with whom I identify: the ones who STRUGGLED all day, or the ones who GOT MORE than they could ever have HOPED FOR

2. Earlier in Luke Jesus spells out the appropriate attitude of a servant:

• “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”
• The great gift of God is SALVATION.
  • It cannot be EARNED
  • No matter how I was GIVEN salvation, the only possible attitude is GRATITUDE What should be the attitude of the good and faithful servant toward the ONE LATE TO THE TOUGH WORK?

3. What should the relationship be between the “good and faithful” and those “late to the scene”?

• On one hand, don’t be jealous of God’s GENEROSITY because you, too, have been a RECIPIENT
• But if you really believe that LIFE WITH GOD, ACCORDING to his WAY OF LIFE IS preferable to life WITHOUT God, then,
  • Then, OUT OF LOVE, not ENVY, we reach out and INVITE the person to live this COMMUNION with the Lord

4. To conclude let’s look one more time at landowner’s perspective because the parable is about God, after all:

• Why didn’t he pay the full day folks first?
• If he was going to pay the last the same as the first, he could have made them wait around until the first ones left.  That would have avoided this confrontation.  It seems as if he was out to MAKE A POINT.The OWNER’S Perspective is not what EACH DID, but on what each NEEDED.GENEROUS the owner COULD BE.
• More important than what each WORKER DID, was how

So there are a couple more questions.

• What motivates me to live a good Catholic life?
• And, when all is said and done, Can we let God be God?

God’s ways and my ways are rarely the same

• I’m still learning to live with that

Hospice and ALS research

PASTOR’S CORNER

September 7, 2014

            The annual Hike for Hospice is coming up in two weeks.  I strongly support the Hospice movement in general and Hospice of Hamilton in particular.  Hospice of Hamilton is not-for-profit in many senses.  They serve many people who do not have insurance or personal resources to cover the cost of the service.

            The aim of Hospice Care is to enhance the quality of life for patients in end-of-life situations.  They do that not only by replacing aggressive medications, which often have terrible side effects, with medication that addresses the symptoms of the disease, but also by supporting the patient and his/her family emotionally and spiritually.  Remember, medical technology is to be used in the service of life, not to try to show mastery over life.  While the Church in no way supports euthanasia (ending of a human life), it also teaches that it is not necessary to undergo great suffering just to prolong the dying process by a short time.

            If a family member or friend has benefited from Hospice of Hamilton I strongly encourage you to participate in the “hike” (which is actually not more than a comfortable walk).  Your presence is a support.  Also, I strongly encourage you to financially support the Hike by making a contribution.

 

            On a related matter, you may have heard that the Archdiocese has raised a question about the “ice bucket challenge” in support of ALS research.  What news reports do not often include is the clarification that the Church supports ALS research.  It condemns research done by destroying human embryos  Research done with adult stem cells is an alternative the does no harm to any human being.  Get dunked with ice water and then send the contribution to:

John Paul II Medical Research Institute 540 E. Jefferson St. Suite 202 Iowa City, IA 52245

Or http://www.jp2mri.org/

 

Christians in Iraq

PASTOR’S CORNER

August 17, 2014

From a recent letter from Archbishop Schnurr:

Many of you have heard the repeated calls of our Holy Father to pray for peace in Iraq. Violence there has escalated as the Islamic State (ISIS) has taken control of large sections of Iraq, destroying, burning and looting churches, homes and businesses. Thousands of Christians and others who choose not to convert to ISIS’ extremist brand of Islam have fled for their lives.

In the midst of so much suffering in Iraq, especially for the ancient Christian community of Mosul, His Beatitude Louis Rafael Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Iraq, participation in a Global Day of Prayer would be a witness that Christians have not forgotten or abandoned their suffering brothers and sisters in Iraq.  [To that end] I ask you to invite the people of your diocese to pray this special prayer written by Patriarch Sako at Masses on Sunday, August 17 and to keep the intentions for peace in the Middle East, but especially Iraq, in the Prayers of the Faithful.

 

Lord,The plight of our country is deep and the suffering of Christians is severe and frightening.

Therefore, we ask you Lord to spare our lives, and to grant us patience,

and courage to continue our witness of Christian values with trust and hope.

Lord, peace is the foundation of life;

Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us to live with each other without fear and anxiety,

and with dignity and joy. Glory be to you forever.

 

St. Vincent de Paul

PASTOR’S CORNER

August 24, 2014

               I am very grateful to the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, representatives of which are speaking at all the English Masses this weekend.  SVDP makes us a better Parish in that they are a reliable way we can respond to the material needs of others.  Every day our secretaries receive inquiries about things like rent, utility bills, etc.  SVDP cannot help everyone to the extent that each person would like.  They do, however, put your generous contributions to SVDP to good use.

              I think members of SVDP would also quickly say that their participation nourishes their spiritual life.  Every one of their meetings incorporates prayer.  Before and after each visit they make they are encouraged to pray for the person(s).  Some members visit care facilities.  Others visit prisons.  But their visits go way beyond the material.

              I encourage your continued generosity to the St. Vincent de Paul Society here at St. Julie Billiart Parish.

Our deacons

PASTOR’S CORNER

August 10, 2014 

              Today is the feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, patron of deacons.  Once more I want to acknowledge the years of ministerial service Bill Renneker and Tom Strodtbeck have given not just St. Julie Billiart but the broader community.  Thank you both.

              Deacons are not “laymen” but are ordained clerics.  In other words, Tom Strodtbeck is one of the few who will be able to celebrate all seven sacraments, both marriage and holy orders.  Going forward the Church will depend even more on the ministry of deacons, professionally trained lay people, and volunteers.  While it is true that many sacramental ministries require ordination as a priest or deacon, much of my ministry does not require ordination: counselling, visits to jail, hospital, shut-ins (with the exception of the Anointing of the Sick), teaching, general leadership of groups and of the parish etc.

              Please pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood.  Last Monday we celebrated the feast of the patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, the Curé de Ars.  May there be many more who follow his example.  But pray, as well for deacons and professionally trained lay ministers.  Finally, pray that the faithful, as a whole, become more committed to making the expression of faith a vital part of who they are.  The Church must move from maintenance to mission.

Protection of children and young people

Archbishop Schnurr recently issued a statement regarding the children that have arrived at the southern border of our country.  You can find his statement on our webpage.  While many people are trying to make political points from this humanitarian tragedy, he naturally calls for a Christian response.  You can find more information from the U.S. Bishops conference at http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-policy/unaccompanied-migrant-children-resource-kit.cfm.

International Help of Missionaries

PASTOR’S CORNER

July 27, 2014

               Next week we will be hosting “International Help of Missionaries”, our annual Mission Co-Op speaker.  It is chance to hear more about the work of evangelization in another part of the world and support it.  This group is special to me in that they are a local group that has grown out of the work of one of my priest heroes, Fr. Paul Rehling.  Fr. Paul, now deceased, was a spiritual director for a number of years in the major seminary for Ghana, West Africa.  During that time he formed a close friendship with Fr. Gabriel Mante, another faculty member.  When Fr. Mante was named Bishop of the Diocese of Jasikan and Fr. Paul returned to our Archdiocese, their close friendship yielded a close relationship between the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Diocese of Jasikan, Ghana.  “International Help of Missionaries” is an outgrowth of that friendship between priests and between cultures.

              In 2002 Fr. Paul invited a small group of us to go with him on his annual trip to Ghana.  There I got to know Bishop Mante and his diocese.  I can assure you that the need is still great and the opportunities even greater.