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The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dear parishioners, What would you do to insure your freedom? Would you be willing to give everything you had, even to the point of giving your life? For more than two centuries now the people in our military have done just that; many have given their lives in order to assure our freedom? Our country was based on freedom; after all we wanted freedom from the oppression of the British. Americans hold freedom as one of our highest values. But what if the oppression is more subtle and comes from within, rather than from outside our country's borders? What if, in the name of "tolerance" we may experience "intolerance"? We are facing a new battle today. This one is more subtle, because it comes from within and carries the idea of tolerance. Many people are accusing the Catholic Church of being intolerant. They say that we try to force our beliefs on people and make them live by our beliefs. This is not true. Catholics have a right (1st Amendment) to voice their opinion. This is what we are doing. If someone does not agree, or does not care to listen, then we do not force them to follow our beliefs. However, we do have a right to share our opinion. Our beliefs have to do with what our religion teaches, and what we believe to be God's Truth. For example, we believe in traditional marriage between one man and one woman. We believe that abortion, contraceptives, sterilization, etc. are morally wrong, and we should not be forced by anyone to participate in these evils. The interesting thing is that in the name of "tolerance" these same people are trying to force their beliefs on Catholics and make us abide by their beliefs. Who is being the intolerant one here? Whatever happened to religious liberty? (again - 1st Amendment) As our Federal and State Governments try to force their beliefs more and more on the American people, in the name of "tolerance", some of our civil liberties are starting to be chipped away. If our own government is willing to ignore its own Constitution, then where will this end? If our right to freedom of speech and religion are taken away, then it is only a matter of time before we lose other liberties. Loss of Liberties = Loss of Freedom. Are we willing to continue to stand up for what is right, and protect our freedom? Please check out this website by the U.S. Bishops and learn more about how we can take a stand against this threat to our civil liberties; and what we believe as Catholics. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm God come to our assistance, O Lord make haste to help us, Fr. Tim Ilgen |
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Father's Notes |