​Praised be Jesus Christ!
 
These days, striving to be a faithful Catholic while at the same time being engaged in politics is complicated.  I suppose my own political views would be hard to pin down.  I’m against abortion and the re-definition of marriage... sounds Republican.  I’m also in favor of eliminating the death penalty in our country and working to end poverty… sounds Democrat.  I’m against assisted suicide and forcing businesses and charitable organizations to cover contraceptives in their health insurance plans… sounds Republican.  I also think we should be more open to welcoming immigrants… sounds Democrat. 
 
My views are not rooted in party platforms and are certainly not confined to party lines.  I’m simply trying to be faithful to the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church as articulated in the Scriptures and in the Catechism.  Based on that, it would be pretty tough for any Catholic religious leader to publicly endorse a political party or candidate, even if they could.  As you may know, the Johnson Amendment, which was named after Lyndon B. Johnson in 1954, prohibits tax-exempt organizations (which include churches) from endorsing or opposing political candidates.  However, the amendment does permit “voter education or registration activities.”  Interestingly, Republican candidate Donald Trump has expressed intentions to have this amendment repealed.  Regardless of whether or not such an amendment is repealed in the future, it remains my duty as a pastor to provide counsel about the moral and social matters at stake in this and upcoming elections.
 
I think one of the difficulties Catholic voters face, especially today, is when both candidates have political views that run contrary to different Catholic teachings, and perhaps neither of the two candidates seem particularly desirable.  With this being the case, I’d like to offer a couple things to consider.  The first is a suggestion to compare the party platforms.  While it is true, especially in this election, that a particular candidate may not adhere perfectly to their party’s platform, the party platforms at least provide us with a foundation of principles that will influence a president’s administration.  In this weekend’s bulletin I have included an insert that compares each party’s platform on several different issues that are especially relevant to our Catholic faith.
 
Another matter to consider is that we must always reject and oppose intrinsically evil actions.  While there are many issues today that deal with serious social ills (e.g., healthcare, immigration, racial injustice, jobs and the economy, etc.), the issues that deal with respect for and the preservation of human life from its natural beginning to its natural end are the most fundamental.  For example, abortion is the direct destruction of human life and is an intrinsic evil.  It is a greater disorder and weighs more heavily than some other political issues or stances that might less directly offend human dignity.  When sorting through all the issues, we must make a distinction between what is an intrinsic evil and what is merely a social ill.  We as Catholics may disagree about issues of prudential judgment like what to do about immigration, healthcare, and the economy, but we may never support or enable intrinsic evils – things, for example that directly destroy human life.
 
There is an awful lot at stake in this election.  Because this election’s candidates are unsatisfactory to many people, there is a greater temptation not to go out and vote.  Please resist that temptation.  Educate yourself on the Church’s teaching and the candidates’ and parties’ stances.  Pray, and go out to vote.
 

Praised be Jesus Christ!
 
This Sunday is World Mission Sunday, in which we celebrate the mercy of God as we extend His loving heart to our neighbor half a world away, through our prayers and sacrifices.  In announcing his decision to declare a Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis said, “Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy.”  Supporting the young churches throughout the world with your prayers and generous gifts is indeed a merciful witness of this mission.  The collection today will help missionaries offer the poor of Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe practical help as they share the mercy of God.  It will ensure the development of local dioceses, and support the work of priests, religious, and lay leaders who serve those on the margins and in most need.
 
Here are some ways in which your generosity supports work in 1,111 mission dioceses throughout the world:
In Latin America, catechists travel to remote areas to bring the Good News of God’s great love to families.
In parts of Europe, new churches are being built to welcome faith communities renewed after years of persecution.
In Asia, six million children receive an education from religious sisters in some 16,000 Church-run elementary schools.
In Oceania, 1,000 young men are preparing for the priesthood to bring the Lord’s healing hope and peace to those in need.
In Africa, those who are sick are provided with loving care at 6,400 Catholic hospitals and small clinics.
 
One way to continue your connection with the Missions all year long is the Missio App, which offers a direct connection to the priests, religious sisters and brothers, and laity leading projects that provide essential education and health care, social outreach and advocacy, and pastoral service.  Visit missio.org for more information.
 
Please extend your merciful witness to the whole world through your gift in today’s collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.  And may God bless you!
Father Burish
 

​Praised be Jesus Christ!
 
Update on the Parish Merging Exploratory Committee
 
The Exploratory Committee met most recently on August 30th, and again on October 4th.  These have been positive meetings and the group works well together and addresses issues candidly.  Most of the discussion in these last two meetings has centered on the question of what we can do as a single parish community that we cannot do separately.  So far, the committee has proposed the following as benefits of a possible merger:
 
Having a unified vision and mission for the future for a larger newly formed Catholic community: together seeking to become more committed disciples of the Lord.
Pooling our resources (people, ideas, money, etc.), we should be able to do more, and more efficiently.  E.g., coordinating larger parish fundraising and social events, and having a larger volunteer pool for Pastoral and Finance Council subcommittees.
Sharing a single staff: pastor, administrative assistant, finance person, director of evangelization and catechesis to oversee a Religious Education program in one or more locations, as well as coordinate youth engagement events, maintenance person(s).
Greater pastor involvement and oversight, especially in catechesis and evangelization.  E.g., it is easier to have direct oversight and involvement in one centrally organized Religious Education program (even if separate locations are maintained) than to have three completely distinct programs.
Sense of belonging to one parish community even while attending Mass at different churches.
If three separate parishes remain, we would still have to face the greater likelihood of one or more of them closing in the future if they are not sufficiently supported by the decreasing number of practicing parishioners.
 
Having discussed both the benefits and challenges of merging, the committee will begin to work on making proposals for an organizational structure to implement if the parishes decide to merge. 
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about the merging process, don’t hesitate to ask any of the committee members, or Fr. Burish.  Committee members include: Judy Carlson (AU), Mary Strigel (AU), Jeremy Karaliunas (AU), Mary Bauer (AU), Pete Mancl (HE), Julie Trudeau (HE), Jerry Litwaitis (HE), Al Ashbeck (BL), Dale Marth (BL), Terri Hamus (BL), Randy Dorshorst (BL)
 
 

​Praised be Jesus Christ!
 
So far we have covered a lot of ground.  We’ve talked about the Orthodox, Protestantism in general, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, and some of the history that underlies these movements within Christianity.  Today, I’d like to say a bit about Baptists.  Baptists today are the largest Protestant group in the United States.  As one would suspect, they make up the majority of the population in the Southeastern part of the country.  But as a whole, they are the second only to Catholics as the largest Christian denomination in the U.S.  While there are many different groups of Baptists, the largest group in the U.S. is known as the Southern Baptist Convention.
 
Baptist theology is rooted in Martin Luther’s notion that one is justified before God by faith alone.  Baptists take this belief to its logical conclusion by asserting that infants should not be baptized, since they are not yet capable of making an act of faith.  Only those who are capable of making an act of faith should be baptized.  Hence the name, “Baptist.”  As Catholics, we believe that baptism confers on us a character – i.e., a sacramental mark on our souls, claiming us for Christ.  Baptists see baptism more in a symbolic way of putting on the burial and resurrection of Christ through a dramatic immersion in a pool of water.  As an aside, the sacrament of Baptism was practiced by immersion in a pool of water in the earliest days of the Church up until around the 12th century – a period of history in which there were still many adult converts to the Faith.  As whole societies became more completely Christian, and more baptisms were those of infants than adults, the immersion form of baptism gradually disappeared.  Although, one finds it occasionally in some newer Catholic Churches today that are constructed with an immersion pool.  Infant baptisms were practiced in the early Church as well, as whole families came into the Church together.
 
Baptists today trace their spiritual and theological heritage back to the Anabaptists, a group during the time of the Protestant Reformation who disagreed with Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin.  They wanted congregations of adults that gathered freely and were autonomous, rather than a state-sponsored church.  Calling themselves “Baptists,” they eventually spread to the New World and grew particularly among those in the Southern states, and those who were former slaves.
 
Baptists tend to be most literal, or literalist, in their interpretation of the Scriptures.  They also do not see Baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments, but rather symbols and not necessary for salvation.  Baptism only occurs after one is “born again,” or has a conversion experience in which they acknowledge their faith in Christ and become assured of salvation.  Baptists are also very focused on evangelization and mission work.  Since they often tithe at the biblical 10% and have large congregations, Baptists have grown and spread with programs that reach worldwide.  Unfortunately, Baptists have sent many missionaries to countries that are mostly Catholic in population.
 
Like with other Protestant denominations, Catholics and Baptists hold in common many fundamental beliefs.  While Catholics differ with many mainline Protestants on controversial moral issues, Baptists tend to be our allies on matters pertaining to abortion and traditional marriage.  May we continue to share our Catholic faith and pray for greater unity.