Bishop O'Connell offers a short reflection for Veteran's Day here.  Our parish office is closed, but our church remains open.  We will have a holy holy at 3 PM.

     It is fitting that Veterans' Day is today because today's saint, St. Martin of Tours, was a veteran of the Roman Empire army.  For a brief biography, see the video above.  For a thought provoking article about him, visit Casey Chalk's St. Martin of Tours:  Cultural Imperialist?.

     The media is spending more time than usual on politics these days because of the election.  I have found political news and commentary interesting, but I've also been looking for corresponding philosophy and theology that I can share with you to help all of us grapple with politics.

     Regarding abortion, the pro-life movement is moving into a new phase being dubbed Pro-Life 3.0.  Back in the 1970s, Pro-Life 1.0 was about changing laws and protesting outside abortion clinics.  By the 1990s, Pro-Life 2.0 made real progress by focusing on the needs of women in crisis pregnancy centers.  In this new phase we want to help moms in need and not just in a crisis.  We want to appeal to both the political left and right about helping families with young children.

     More broadly, the Church can offer guidance in two general areas of politics.  We can identify the boundaries of what is right and wrong, i.e. direct abortion is wrong.  And we can identify what ought to be at the heart of politics.  People in the political realm out to work for the common good, be virtuous, and foster the practice of virtues.

     As a priest, it behooves me to preach the Gospel including an invitation to learn about and practice the virtues.  If citizens become more virtuous, then things like abortion will become unthinkable.  And that also distinguishes Pro-Life 3.0 from previous phases.  We just don't want abortion to be illegal, we want it to be unthinkable.  And it will be unthinkable if we're busy about loving God and loving neighbor.

     Let's continue to pray for our country and each other's intentions.

1)  For all veterans who practiced virtue in service of our country, may they be respected and continue to serve as models of virtuous behavior.

2)  For all politicians, may they become more virtuous and truly work for the common good.

3)  For all those suffering from natural disasters including those in Florida from the recent hurricane and current tropical storm.

4)  For the improvement of our economy.

5)  For a more virtuous citizenry formed by family, church, and other benevolent organizations.

God love you,

Fr. Jim