Pastor: Reverend Patrick Connor
Our Mission
We are a Catholic Community of faith united in our Love for Jesus Christ. We strive to maintain and carry the message of hope and salvation to others through our works of evangelization and examples of sacramental life.
Our Vision
We will promote a stable Parish with a vibrant, spiritually nourishing, learning environment to grow ourselves and others as disciples of Christ.
Deacons: Deacon Douglas Farwell, Deacon David LaFortune
2024 Sweet & Greet FP – 1
Note: this homily is posted here in consideration of the proposed New York State (NYS) Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Please read carefully.
Homily for October 20, 2024, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Homilist: Deacon Doug Farwell
This weekend, I’ll talk about some important issues we’re going to face in the next couple weeks. To be exact, it will be two weeks from this coming Tuesday. Yes, I’m stepping out on a limb to talk about the upcoming presidential election and specifically about the New York State (NYS) Equal Right Amendment (ERA).
Jesus Did Not Come to be Served, But to Serve, And That Is the Key to Greatness.
In trying to connect our scriptures to the pertinent upcoming election and issues, two things come to mind: servitude and free will.
Our first reading today comes from Isaiah’s figure of the suffering servant, which is Isaiah’s most extensive description of the servant’s suffering and its purpose. Considering our gospel, Christianity sees this as referring to Jesus as the suffering servant, and the will of God be accomplished through him. It’s God’s plan that the servant’s death should be an offering to bear the guilt and justify many to make them righteous. It was Jesus’ will to do the Father’s will.
Our second reading from Hebrews tells us Jesus is the high priest who came to make atonement once and for all. What makes Him perfect is that he does not elevate himself above us but remains connected to humanity and tested in every way that we have or will ever be tested. Yet, He never sinned. Therefore, he became the perfect sacrificial atonement for our sinfulness. He is our compassionate high priest in whom we have placed our hope.
One of the significant points of today’s gospel emphasizes the disciples’ failure to hear Jesus’ message, albeit explained time and time again. For the third time, Jesus tells his disciples of his forthcoming arrest, persecution, and crucifixion. But they seemingly overlook all this, instead focusing only on Jesus’ glorious reign as the Messiah, with themselves holding key positions at his left and right. They’re only thinking of their own agendas to benefit themselves. Instead, Jesus calls his disciples to service rather than glory, and serving may mean their own suffering. Holding places of authority does not equate to true power. Rather, by imitating Christ, they must aspire to greatness through service to others.
These two points of service and free will are what we as Christians should call to mind over these next two weeks as we contemplate the upcoming elections and any amendments coming up for a vote. We should ask ourselves what is the will of the candidates who are running for the presidency? How will this serve the people of this country and the world?
Where do we turn as Catholic Christians? We turn to the Church.
There’s no doubt this upcoming election has spurred much controversy, and many may be confused, with our heads may be spinning about what and who to believe regarding upcoming issues. There are multiple media outlets available to us, but which of these isn’t pushing for a particular party, platform, or candidate? That is why you must research and find an unbiased resource that gives details from both sides without personal opinion.
As a Church and clergy, we’re not to tell you, the people, for whom you should vote. The intention of the Church is to help Catholics form their consciences according to the truth. Therefore, as responsible Catholics, we should access all available resources to help make informed choices with our faith at the forefront of all important decisions when it comes to electing officials at both the national and state levels.
Amendments, on the other hand, are addressed differently. The Church may advocate or oppose a specific bill or amendment based on the morality, religious liberties, human rights issues, and doctrinal and precepts of the Church. In doing so, the Church doesn’t align with any political party, candidate for public office, or the platform of a particular party. Rather, the Church dutifully provides information regarding the Catholic teachings on whether advocating or opposing an issue.
In the September and October issues of the Catholic Courier, Bishop Matano writes in the “From the Bishop” column about “forming our consciences for political responsibility.” This month, he writes about the NYS ERA proposition that will intrude upon the rights of parents. I highly encourage everyone to read Bishop Matano’s article. It’s very informative and enlightens us with insights into what is not being said in the ERA Amendment (Proposal 1) and forming our consciences with regard to which candidate most exemplifies our Catholic beliefs—and for that matter, Christian beliefs. Bishop Matano references the Beatitudes in discerning a candidate.
In this month’s article, Bishop Matano quotes St. Augustine saying that, “tension has existed from the time Jesus was confronted by Pilate.” That same tension exists between what St. Augustine called the “City of God” and the “City of Man.”
Bishop Matano goes on to quote from St. Augustine, The City of God, he writes:
“One sort (persisted) in that Good which is common to all – which for them is God himself – and in eternity, truth, and love, while others were delighted rather with their own power, as though they themselves were their own Good. Thus, they have fallen away from that Supreme Good which is common to all, which bring felicity, and they have devoted themselves to their own ends.”
Isn’t this what Jesus is telling the disciples and us today in the Gospel? That real leaders come to serve the people—not for their own good—but for the good of others.
The NYS Catholic Conference rightly labels this proposal as “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” as the amendment is touted as an “equal rights.” Further, because of the lengthy language in the proposal, ordinary citizens would rarely take the time to read it all, in hopes its title would influence people to approve it.
The ERA proposal that we as NYS residents will be voting on has two very important concerns regarding our rights:
- First, it would enshrine a fundamental right to abortion on demand in the NYS constitution, making it nearly impossible to enact any pro-life laws.
- Second, the language would bar discrimination based on either age, gender identity, or gender expression and could open the door to a judicial interpretation barring parents from having any say in medical interventions of their minor children.
These next two weeks, I encourage all to read these articles from Bishop Matano and conduct your own examination of conscience to help you make the proper informed decision. And please vote! Our faith makes “it morally obligatory to exercise the right to vote.” (CCC 2240)
God gave us all free will in hopes that we will do His will to uphold the teachings of the Church. Jesus was the perfect example of that.
In this month of the Rosary, let us also turn to Our Blessed Mother Mary, who accepted God’s will, for her intercession for our country and the world. Amen.
St. Catherine’s Church, Addison
YOUTH GROUP – 2024-2025 Edition
Calling ALL High School Students– YOU ARE INVITED!!
And feel free to bring a friend! 🙂
We are offering a Youth Group again this year at St. Catherine’s, AND it begins SUNDAY 9/15! But you can join us at anytime!
Youth Group will follow the Faith Formation calendar and also meet 10-11:15 AM.
ALL High School students are welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity to continue to explore, understand, practice your faith, have fun while eating donuts, and serve our parish and greater community. This group will be led again by Fred Collins and Ashley McLaughlin, and they will continue to follow “The Search Begins” series.
“The Search Begins” is a seven-episode show adapted from the Augustine Institute’s award-winning series, The Search, hosted by Chris Stefanick. Modified for teens, The Search Begins invites middle and high school students to consider the deepest questions of the human heart and explore the meaning and purpose of life.”
In addition to the faith development piece of the program these young people will serve as mentors to rising Confirmands, younger parishioners, and they will organize and participate in parish and greater community projects and efforts to put your faith into action by helping others.
Hope to see you Sunday!
If needed, contact Julie Lawson for more information: julielawson326@gmail.com
Our Strategic Plan.
Our parish Strategic Plan is available for your view and commentary: https://www.simtparish.org/councils/strategic-planning-committee/
Regular Parish Mass Schedule
MASS SCHEDULE FOR ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.
Saturday: 6:00 p.m.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR ST. STANISLAUS, BISHOP & MARTYR
Sunday: 11:00 a.m.
Friday: 5:30 p.m.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR ST. JOSEPH THE CARPENTER
Monday: 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 4:00 p.m.
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