Message from our Pastor
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 3, 2022
The Supreme Court Decision regarding abortion on Friday, June 24th is a watershed moment for our country. I have my strong opinion on abortion out of my own experience of hearing stories during my thirty-one years of ministry from women who regretted many years later that they chose to terminate their pregnancy. When the decision last Friday became public, I was glad, but cautious. Glad because I believe it took a great deal of courage for the Supreme Court justices to make what they believe was the right decision. I am cautious because I know what the fallout will be.
I pray for our country every day. We are divided on so many issues and the way we live that there, at times, appears to be no middle ground. It is often in the middle ground that struggle takes place and where sound reasoning can evolve. I would never advocate the use of abortion, but I believe that from my experience with this issue that manipulation and convenience often override the long-term effects of the procedure. It has been my experience with the women who have shared their story that the abortion never goes away in one’s mind. This is something that you deal with throughout one’s life. That’s sad because of the countless number of abortions over the last fifty years. With the number of women, I have heard from on this issue, almost all have said they wish they had known more about what the future would be like carrying the thought of their abortion and not being able to carry their own child.
I know this is a heated issue in our country. All you have to do is watch the news, go on social media, or start a conversation about the topic. Abortion carries a great deal of political and religious weight. Of course, there was going to be a call for protests and possible rioting in the streets. It seems like that is the trend over the last decade. If you do not like what transpires in life, go to the streets. Catholic churches are a prime target for these kinds of protests. To prepare ourselves, I have talked with law enforcement and we are creating a “safety ministry” and will be speaking with our ushers and liturgical ministers soon. If you can offer us any assistance in this area, please sign up in the Gathering Area. We can also use more ushers at all three weekend Masses. If you can commit yourself to help us in this ministry, please sign-up in the Gathering Area or call the Parish Office.
We have asked the Kirtland police to be present on our grounds during our weekend Masses. We are also asking all parishioners to use the main doors of the church to enter and leave when attending Mass. The Eucharistic chapel will be locked from the outside door at night. Adoration will still take place on Mondays.
If by chance we have protesters show up at our church during Mass, we will follow this protocol: The Mass will stop. We will calmly ask the protesters to leave. We will begin praying the start of the rosary with music in the background. Those designated to escort the protesters out of church will do so without escalating the discussion. If the protesters do not leave, we have individuals trained to call the Kirtland police who are aware of our situation and they will provide the means of leading protestors out of the church.
The protesters will come in with their video cameras. They want us to react and to have something to show on social media. We are called to be calm, level-headed, and not to escalate any argument. Once the protesters are gone, we will continue with Mass as normal. My hope is that we do not ever have protesters here at Divine Word. However, we live in a different world from when I was first ordained. I am hoping these proactive, preventative measures will be enough to deter anyone from interrupting our worship and prayer.
Finally, I ask you to pray for our country. We are divided as a people in so many ways. My thought about division is the Greek word “Diabolos” which translates to diablo or devil. Better known as a splitter, divider, or a great wedge driver. I believe we must be extremely careful not to use this decision from the Supreme Court, as good as it is, to create more of a divide, or split, in our country. If we allow that to happen then as we see life anew with this decision, we can be at the same time participating in widening the split of our country.
My prayer is that through much reflection and thought, that hearts will be changed and life more sacred to all of us. Hopefully, this decision leads us to a more humble and less judgmental mindset. I pray that we strive to love better even those who are most difficult to love in this life. That is the difficult, but necessary, task of the Catholic Christian in our world today!
As we continue through the next few months towards the elections in November and beyond, I am sure that abortion will be center stage in many ways. Please continue to pray for the gift of life and the challenges that lie ahead for our country. We live in a great country with many freedoms. We are lucky to be here and can freely worship as we do. I am praying every day for you and all our families. Have a great week and stay strong in your faith and love of God, the author of all life!
