The Solution, Not The Cause

The Solution, Not the Cause

Faith communities have the enormous potential to unite our country in this contentious election year. That is the finding of a study conducted by the group More In Common US, according to a report in the Zenit News Service. Reading and listening to many media outlets, one might believe most religious groups are intolerant and politically driven. The More In Common US findings report a very different view. Unsurprisingly, most Americans look to their faith community for spiritual support, not political expression. Most religious people in our country prioritize the role of their religious community as fostering their relationship with God, helping them spiritually support their families and moral values rather than their political identities. For that reason, faith communities can be non-divisive and help build bridges in the days leading up to this election.

Looking at the possible outcome of the coming presidential election can be discouraging. Pope Francis’ remarks that the election presents the choice of selecting the lesser of two evils didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Both candidates are deeply flawed. It is never reassuring of democratic values when our electoral choice is to hold our noses and select the least offensive candidate to our values.

Listening to election rhetoric can cause our emotions to get the best of us. How can we help ourselves restain some of our feelings and keep a level head? Not surprisingly, it is prayer. Over the last few weeks, I have read several articles suggesting Catholics use St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises as a prayer form to keep election anxiety at a controllable level.

St. Ignatius designed them to help people control their disordered affections. In other words, to help the faithful resist the temptation to let their emotions swing their decision-making process and cause them to act against their better selves.

Ignatius encouraged his readers to start with presence and gratitude when evaluating their behaviors. They must ask themselves, will my decision help serve God’s project over history? Will it hasten the coming of the Kingdom? Will it slowly move hearts in the direction of the good?

Next, will my decision help me and others respond to grace? We must remind ourselves that the world is God’s, and we are only its caretakers. God is always calling us to greater love and generosity. Is my decision helping to foster greater creativity and my willingness to cooperate with others?

Ignatius encouraged his listeners to resist responding quickly to situations. Give yourself time to process your experiences and think about the stakes that choice will make for you. Discover how your decisions might help create a more loving world. Are you ready to help make God’s plan for salvation progress through your choices?  

People of faith can do much more than hold their noses and vote this election cycle. If we give our actions reflection, they can help us do real good in our efforts to imitate Jesus Christ and help us slowly move along the way to the Kingdom of God.

A Resounding Success!

The Holy Redeemer 2024 Annual Collection has been a tremendous success. We conduct the Annual Collection each August and September. It is our most important fundraiser and the one time we ask year-round and seasonal residents to make a special gift to help support the parish during the quieter winter months. As it came to a close on Monday, September 30, 2024, it had collected $103, ---. Thank you to all who contributed!

We budgeted to raise $85,000 through this year’s collection. We will use the almost $20,000 over the goal towards financing several parish projects. They include renovations to our parking lot, which will begin before the winter. We also must purchase new doors for Our Lady of Grace Chapel and repair the garage at the rectory. Ultimately, we plan to reshingle the original Holy Redeemer Church, which is estimated to cost $350,000.

Further down the line, the windows in the rectory need replacing. All of them are over fifty years old, and those in the original part of the house date back to its construction in 1909. Property upkeep is a constant challenge.

The parish will soon receive a modest gift of about $35,000 from the Estate of Charlotte Ventola in memory of her husband, John J. Ventola. We appreciate their thoughtfulness. Have you considered including Holy Redeemer Parish in your will? You can help ensure the continued preaching of the gospel in Chatham with a legacy to the parish.

Reaction to our recent church renovations has been overwhelmingly positive. Parishioners and visitors alike admire our physical improvements and spiritual growth. They benefit all, and all parishioners need to feel a sense of ownership of improvements to our church facilities. Can you increase your weekly budget contribution if you could not contribute to the Annual Collection? When was the last time you reflected on the gift you give to God and the work of the Church? The parish experiences inflation and increased costs like everyone else. Prayerfully consider your support of our parish and be as generous as possible.