Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - October 1, 2023
“Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. (Ps 25:4).
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Catholic Church in the United States observes October as “Respect Life Month” with the first Sunday in October designated as “Respect Life Sunday”. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning to the end of their lives, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.
This year’s theme from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is “Radical Solidarity”. Please be aware of the great resource we have in our community called Bravely Women’s Health. They offer support with reproductive health, pregnancy support and motherhood resources. You can find more information at their website, which is www.bravelywomenshealth.org/. Whether this resource is helpful for yourself or for you to share as a reference to others, please remember to keep pregnant mothers in your prayers and to show them help and compassion.
We are invited to think about how radical solidarity compels us to be with those vulnerable mothers and support them and their preborn children. Often, there are mothers who feel unable to welcome the child that God has entrusted to her. Pope Francis speaks of solidarity in his encyclical, Evangelii Gaudium, “The word ‘solidarity’ is a little worn and at times poorly understood, but it refers to something more than a few sporadic acts of generosity. It presumes the creation of a new mindset which thinks in terms of community and the priority of the life of all over the appropriation of goods by a few” (par. 188). In solidarity, we are to do what we can to provide mothers, children and families with the support they need. This is not done merely by policies but by the transformation of our hearts to recognize Christ in the other person and caring for them in their need.
Also, please be aware that the priests will be on a priest retreat this week from Oct. 2-6. Please keep the priests in your prayers as we have Fr. Christian Raab, OSB leading our retreat, and is the author of the book Understanding the Religious Priesthood: History, Theology and Controversy. There are Masses and confessions cancelled during the week, so please pay attention to the schedule in the bulletin, but the weekend schedule remains the same.
Allow me to conclude with this prayer for radical solidarity and I invite you to include this prayer in your usual prayers during this month of October.
A Prayer for Radical Solidarity O Blessed Mother, at the angel’s word you went in haste to the aid of your cousin Elizabeth. Although pregnant yourself, you placed her needs before your own.
By your example of radical solidarity, teach us to reverence and protect those in need, without conditions or expectations. Ask your Son to give us unfailing determination to witness to the profound dignity of every person, at every stage and in every circumstance.
In that first Eucharistic procession, you carried Jesus to Elizabeth in her time of need. Obtain for us the grace to bring Christ to any expectant mother who is alone and afraid. May our support help them to find hope and strength in the Lord. Amen.