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    I had hoped to hold an informational question and answer period on this Respect Life Sunday but I could not prepare adequately due to other obligations on my time these days. This is an important time for the Cause of Canonization of Cardinal Cooke and, as you know, we are short one priest at the moment. Despite all that, there was a time when I was able to organize such gatherings in various parishes or for the Archdiocese with some regularity. Things have been extremely busy for me for quite some time and I’m hoping it will change when our new priest arrives, but there is rarely spare time available. I am not complaining but I do wish that I could do more to plan such events. I will continue to try to find a time to put an informational evening together soon.

     For this Respect Life Sunday, the Respect Life Committee will be staffing tables after all the Masses, with the help of our Youth Group, in order to provide information for helping to create a culture of life. Unfortunately, the way our culture and our society is going, we are not all focused on life. It can be said that some people think more of themselves at times rather than others. When people and societies think more of themselves, they can easily begin to forget the need to protect and defend one another. They can forget the need to promote, defend and protect life.

     First of all, let us all pray this weekend and every day that we ourselves and our brothers and sisters will always remember that God loves us from the moment of conception until natural death.

     Let us pray for those contemplating abortion or assisting others to seek abortion. Let us pray for those who do anything against life, asking God to change their hearts to remember His presence and His help.

     May the Church lead all people, by God’s grace, to know the truth about His life and love. God Bless.