My fellow Americans. We recently elected Donald Trump as president of the United States. Some of you reading my words are happy; others of you are not happy at all. I was in Hong Kong on election day. I was not surprised that there was keen interest among Hong Kong priests in our election. When Donald Trump was elected, I had about an equal number of texts from people from the United States who were delighted and from people who were very disheartened, even worried, about the election outcome. But now, as citizens of our nation, we should unite, work together and pray for God to give wisdom to President Elect Trump and the members of Congress. Our political process involves accord and dissent. It is not unpatriotic to disagree, and the next four years will be no different than the past. Our political leaders will disagree, but hopefully they will listen to one another and compromise at times.
Unfortunately, too often we attribute evil to our political opponents. We consider them to be anti-God, racist, corrupt or anti life. We forget that all of us want the best for our nation, though we disagree on what is best. We should advocate earnestly for our beliefs, but we should respect our political opponents and stop attributing dark and evil motives to them. Perhaps we are rightly wary of political leaders, but we should not conclude that those who voted for one candidate or another are themselves malevolent and that their votes were inspired by a desire that evil succeed.
How do we disagree without being disagreeable? I think that we begin by recognizing that those who voted differently from us did it because they affirm certain good values that perhaps we don’t affirm enough. Voters for both parties vote for what they perceive as good for our nation.
But neither party and no candidate fully espouses Gospel values. Faithful Catholics are motivated by the teachings of Jesus Christ to protect vulnerable human beings, including unborn children, immigrants (documented or not), the poor, children and the elderly. We may differ in our policy priorities, but we cannot be Christian and not believe in our responsibility to care for all people, all of whom are created in God’s image and likeness. No one should be shunned or stripped of dignity because of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, unborn status or immigration status. Even those who commit crimes are to be treated with mercy, though society has the right and duty to protect the innocent. God loves everyone and so should we if we are God’s people.
So let’s work to enact laws that reflect our values and that affirm human dignity. Each of us should continue to advocate for our point of view and we can still oppose policies that we think are wrong minded. But as to the essential values of human dignity— no Christian can opt out of defending human life at any stage of development or in any circumstance whatsoever. You can’t be Christian and not care about the poor, unborn children or immigrants. A good person also respects those who have different opinions and viewpoints. Seeking common ground and, at times, compromising, are needed for civil society to work well.
For the sake of our nation and world, let’s respect one another and work for the good of all. This Thanksgiving, let’s have grateful, not bitter, hearts.
Gospel of Luke Zoom Class
Begins December 4, 7 - 8:30 PM. Last year, retired Villanova Scripture Professor Paul Danove, offered a weekly class on the Gospel of Mark. The class was well received. This year, beginning December 4, he will teach the Gospel of Luke. If you wish to receive zoom invitations each week to the class, please email Fr. Tom below.
Saint Charles Seminary Collection
On the weekend of November 23-24, we will have the annual collection to support seminary education at Saint Charles Seminary. Our future diocesan priests are trained at Saint Charles. Future permanent deacons and lay leaders also study for graduate theology degrees. Saint Charles is an important institution which trains many people for various forms of service to the Church and it deserves our support.
Over the past few years, the Archdiocese made a courageous and wise decision to leave its beautiful campus in Wynnewood with its massive buildings and beautiful chapel, to downsize and relocate to the campus of Gwynedd Mercy University in Lower Gwynedd. The seminary is dedicated to the prudent use of resources.
On November 23-24, a seminarian will speak at all Masses and you are encouraged to make a generous donation to support training of our future leaders.
Aging Our Way, Pennsylvania
In my last week’s bulletin column, I wrote about the new 10 year plan created by our Commonwealth government, to provide a more comprehensive and deliberate plan for helping seniors to age with dignity and with the help that they need. I encourage you to read the plan by going to a search engine and typing, “Aging our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence”. Included with today’s bulletin is a paper with helpful resources for seniors needing assistance.
Prayer Vigil for Life
On Saturday, November 23, the Sisters of Life will sponsor a prayer vigil for life at Holy Redeemer Church, 915 Vine Street.
The schedule is: 7:30 procession from Holy Redeemer to abortion clinic at 777 Appletree Street. Prayer at the clinic until 9 AM. 9:15 AM Mass for life at Holy Redeemer, followed by a light reception.
Christmas nursing home visits
This year, our children will visit two nursing homes for caroling and gift giving. Saint John’s children will visit ProMedica, a facility for rehabilitation and long term care, at 16th and Lombard Streets, on December 16 and Holy Redeemer Children will visit Echelon Nursing Home in Voorhees on Christmas Eve. The children will sing carols and give each resident a wrapped gift. Simple gifts are appreciated: word puzzle books, adult coloring books, decks of cards, stuffed animals, 2025 calendars with pictures, socks, warm scarfs or lap blankets. Please consider buying a few gifts, wrapping them and mark them M, F or E (male, female or either). Please do not give food or candy. Gifts will be collected in boxes in the upper and lower churches. Please consider bringing an inexpensive wrapped gift to Saint John’s before December 15. Gifts brought after December 15 will be used for the Christmas Eve event.