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Last month the Catholic bishops of Illinois released a statement entitled “Elections, Conscience, and the Responsibility to Vote”. It urges Catholic Americans to become more aware of Catholic social and moral teaching, to become more involved in the political process, and to vote. With Tuesday’s Election Day, I include here sections of the bishops’ statement. “As Christian believers we are called to love our fellow citizens (and non-citizens and, even, our enemies). We ought to desire that every person flourish by participating fully in all the goods that perfect us as persons (religion, knowledge, play, work, friendship, etc.). The sum total of the social conditions which allow people access to full participation in these goods is called by the Second Vatican Council the common good....Catholics should always vote for the person most committed to being a public servant dedicated to the common good. This being said, it should be noted that any candidate who supports a public policy where part of humanity (such as the pre-born, the elderly, the handicapped, or the sick) is excluded from the protection of law and treated as if they were non-persons is gravely deficient in his or her view of the requirements of a just society. Too often, the choice of candidates for elected office falls short of a vision of the common good as rich and full as Catholic social teaching. This may be discouraging, so we call on Catholics who understand and accept the Church’s teaching to become more engaged in political life. We urge Catholics to run for office, work within the political parties, contribute time to campaigns and join diocesan legislative networks, community organizations and other efforts to apply Catholic principles in the public square. The latest statistics indicate that 25 percent of American citizens are Catholic. In Illinois, we make up almost one-third of the population (31.5 percent). For Catholics, voting ought not to be seen as just an option or a privilege but a duty. By voting with an informed conscience, a renewed “Catholic vote” could become a political force for justice in Illinois and the nation.” Please vote on Tuesday.
The bishops also call attention to the fundamental Catholic Social
Teachings which include the following standards: One of our more faithful parishioners noted about a month ago that a Cathedral preacher had used the term “handicapped” when referring to those with physical disabilities. The parishioner herself is disabled. Sometimes, politically correct terminology can become silly hair-splitting. However, in this case, I thought she was not only carefully respectful in raising the point, but correct. Therefore, I respectfully wish that the Illinois bishops had used the term “disabled” rather than “handicapped” in the above statement. Still, their defense of those commonly overlooked was noble and part of their role as teachers. If you received by mail a survey regarding a proposed capital campaign to make Holy Name Cathedral an even more beautiful place than it already is, please fill that out and return it to the Cathedral office. I am starting to get excited about what I am hearing about the results. There are some exciting days ahead for our Cathedral parish.
I have lost count of the number of positive comments I heard regarding the performance of classic spiritual composer William L. Dawson’s There is a Balm in Gilead by our Gallery/Chamber Singers as a part of the 9:30 & 11:00 liturgies last Sunday. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord lamented Jerusalem, the city which had a special place in his heart, and which he affectionately called, "the daughter of my people". But Jerusalem became a wicked city. The city was characterized by falsehood, covetousness, immorality, and idolatry. The city was sick and about to die. Soon the rival city of Babylon would fall upon Jerusalem and destroy it. Across the River Jordan, not far from Jerusalem, was a land called Gilead. It was famous for its spices, ointments, and herbal remedies. The merchants to whom Joseph was sold "had come from Gilead with camels bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt". One of the lovely ironies of the Bible story is that Joseph was thrown in with the spices and the balm as just another piece of merchandise. Yet his children would one day come to possess the land of Gilead, and its balm would be theirs from which to make their fortunes. But we come back to Jerusalem in Jeremiah's time, as the Lord contemplates the spiritual sickness there. Of course, the literal balm of Gilead could not heal the spiritual sores of Jerusalem. But just as they could go to Gilead for balm to heal sores upon their bodies, so they could go to the physician in the spiritual Gilead (heaven) to find healing for their spiritual ills. God's question, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" means Why haven't you come to me for healing for your souls? Why do other people, perhaps even you and I, not come to the heavenly physician for spiritual healing? Our choirs posed the classic solution on a Sunday featuring the gospel story of the cure of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. The Cathedral choirs’ performance was excellent. I write this paragraph on Monday anticipating the Mozart Requiem on All Souls Day. I also look forward to Cathedral Christmas (December 8 at 7:30pm); the entire Advent season; Christmas Eve (Chamber Singers at 4:00pm; Women’s Schola at 6:00pm; Gallery & Chamber Singers at Midnight Mass); and great music at all Christmas Masses. The annual GALA will take place on Friday beginning at 6:00pm at the Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom on Delaware. Check out the information on the next page of this parish bulletin. Every year, this event is a great parish fund raiser. And it is a great night of fun. I will be there at 6:00pm sharp…and I’ll be looking for you! EXPECT THE SPECTACULAR! Fr. Dan Mayall |
