Arizona isn’t exactly a battleground state, but Fr. Jim Wall is in the trenches this month trying to win ground as his state decides on a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage. The director of the Mount Claret Retreat Center and the diocesan vicar for priests, Fr. Wall has been the Phoenix Chapter’s chaplain since it was chartered in 2004. He just celebrated his 10th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, and he’s going all out to help Catholics understand the importance of preserving traditional marriage.
You also understand that your faith and your family supersede your business. A relaxing family vacation with time for reflection and daily affirmation can keep you grounded.
You may recall that Kathie and I have been members of the Chicago Chapter for over 15 years and should certainly be familiar with Legatus and its mission. But our visits to chapters around the country have confirmed something we have known all along: Legatus members are faith-filled, generous, competent, busy people who manage to find time to serve the Church, their families and society in a myriad of ways.
One of the more miraculous (or suspicious) side-effects of the 2004 election was the number of candidates in both political parties who suddenly began talking about their religious faith. There’s no doubt that many public officials, regardless of party, do take their religious beliefs very seriously and do try to live by them. That’s a good thing. So maybe this latest trend implies a new Great Awakening. Or maybe, as one of my skeptical friends says, “it’s just another charm offensive to get the shamans off their backs.” Time will tell. Words are important. Actions are more important. The religious choreography of a campaign doesn’t matter. The content of its ideas does. The religious vocabulary of a candidate doesn’t matter. The content of his record, plans and promises does.
“This is what is happening at the level of politics and government: The original and inalienable right to life is questioned or denied on the basis of a parliamentary vote or the will of one part of the people — even if it is the majority. This is the sinister result of a relativism which reigns unopposed: The ‘right’ ceases to be such, because it is no longer firmly founded on the inviolable dignity of the person, but is made subject to the will of the stronger part.
Frankly, I’m not sure there is such a thing. Such talk tends to conflate practicing Catholics with those Catholics who attend Mass only for baptisms, first communions and funerals, not to mention those Catholics who have effectively left the Church.
Through our evangelization, we must present the truth of the Christian faith to those who don’t yet accept it or who accept it only partially. In doing so we aren’t imposing anything on them. You can’t force people to believe. You can force them to act as though they believe, true, but you can’t force them to believe. Mere acting doesn’t count. It isn’t what Christ was after. He was, and is, looking for free acceptance of his saving message.
Saint Albertus Magnus is regarded as the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages and one of the greatest minds in history. He discerned his vocation to the Dominican order after hearing the preaching of Bl. Jordan of Saxony.
Every once in a while, the common folk take control of the culture and decide a key political issue. In just a few weeks, voters in California, Florida and Arizona will choose whether or not to amend their state constitutions to protect traditional marriage — the union of one man and one woman.
You may recall that Kathie and I have been members of the Chicago Chapter for over 15 years and should certainly be familiar with Legatus and its mission. But our visits to chapters around the country have confirmed something we have known all along: Legatus members are faith-filled, generous, competent, busy people who manage to find time to serve the Church, their families and society in a myriad of ways.