As we enter the beautiful month of October we recall the Bishop’s dedication of its days to Respect Life. Our neighbors in Dutchess County stand with us today on Route 9 to quietly witness in the Annual Life Chain to culture of life against the destructive nature of abortion. So many of our present social problems can be traced back to our society’s acceptance of the killing of innocent life. This effort by people of good will is but one way in which this evil must be confronted. We must never cease to pray, especially under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lord taught His disciples that some demons can only be removed by prayer and fasting. Certainly, in our time, there is no greater devastation than that of abortion. Additionally, we should petition our state and federal government leaders to cease this immoral procedure, but failing that recognize the rights of individuals to not participate in its furtherance and institutions to pay for it. To provide assistance to young mothers and their children through Good Counsel Homes, Birthright, or Rosalie Hall is a wonderful positive response to their needs.
This Sunday we recognize that following the papal exhortations to recognize that life is God’s precious gift we celebrate anniversary couples and bless animals. The former have for twenty-five or fifty years given to the faith community a powerful witness to Christ’s relationship with the Church. They serve as well the larger community as an example of self-giving. In an era when too many people are self-involved they exhibit an altruism that is life-giving. As the Second Vatican Council teaches us in the document: The Church in the Modern World, we believe that: “The intimate partnership of life and the love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by Him with its own proper laws: it is rooted in the contrast of its partners, that is, in their irrevocable personal consent. It is an institution confirmed by the divine law and receiving its stability, even in the eyes of society, from the human act by which the partners mutually surrender themselves to each other; for the good of the partners, of the children, and of the society this sacred bond no longer depends on human decision alone. For God Himself is the author of marriage and has endowed it with various benefits and with various ends in view: all of these have a very important bearing on the continuation of the human race, on the personal development and eternal destiny of each member of the family, on the dignity, stability, peace, and prosperity of the family and of the whole human race.” (48)
At the last Mass of the day, we will bless the animals of parishioners. This action takes place on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. We participate in this para-liturgical ceremony for two reasons. It reminds us of the compassion of the holy man who not only reached out to his fellows with the mercy of God but who revered creation as the gift of God to be cared for with great dedication. In his poetry he lauded “Brother Sun and Sister Moon.” Secondly, it recognizes the universal stewardship of humankind over nature and its resources. When we view the vistas of vast forests and mountain ranges and stand before the many expanses of sea and ocean we must pay tribute to the finger of God that formed each for the sake of man. Recent papal statements remind all of us our obligations to nurture what God has made. The owners of the animals we bless have taken upon themselves special obligations to protect them from the dangers of malnutrition and cruelty. But every human being has a responsibility to care about the members of the animal kingdom. They must participate in ethical discussions vis a vis their use in medical experimentation. When parents or others consider the purchase of a pet great thought must be given as to the ability of responding to their needs.
As the month goes on, indeed, as our life continues we must display our reverence of God‘s work of creation. The Church wants all of us to act in such a way that exhibits gratitude for what we have received. Some examples come to mind. Here at St. Stanislaus Kostka we are cooperating with Guardian Self Storage to collect winter coats to warm those in our community who do not have one. Can we imagine how hard it is for a mother not to have adequate clothing for children when they must go to school. The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce collects throughout the year business suits for those who require proper attire for interviews for work. Volunteers are always needed to care for young people: those involved in pregnancy, those who require tutoring, or those who simply need a Big Brother or Sister. But those who are older also must have, at times, some assistance: adults cannot read and rely on Literacy Volunteers; handicapped people often find themselves homebound and desire help to shop, travel, or visit medical personnel; seniors look forward to those who might provide socialization, financial advice, and material assistance. Each Catholic shows their respect for life by examining their own resources and how they might place them at the disposal of others.
As I pray this Sunday at the Pleasant Valley Fire Department’s Memorial Services honoring those who gave of themselves to our local community I will be thinking of the necessity for all of God’s people to give glory to the Trinity of Persons and service to the Creation bestowed on all of us.
Have a Blessed Week. Pray for sun on the 11th on our Community day.
Vivat Jesus
Fr. Brian
