We must always remind our friends and
neighbors that this crusade for life is not solely a religious issue, but
also a moral one. We are dealing with a fundamental question about human
life and we must STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.
I have been impressed and profoundly moved by the self-sacrifice of our
Catholic people engaged in Respect Life and Right to life movements. They
have served and cared for many women and families. They have literally saved
great numbers of newly born infants throughout the Sate of Florida and the
Nation.
The role of fatherhood is integral to the emotional and devastating subject
of abortion. Often the father of the unborn baby is conspicuously absent or
intentionally forgotten. No man may excuse himself from his responsibility
to his child and its mother.
Our American society today is adversely affected because so many families do
not have the presence and support of a father. Families are often stronger
where fathers are present as loving and caring parents. Many families only
have the strengths and gifts of a single-parent. The parish, the community
and the extended family, and the school must take a sincere interest in
these families and offer their resources to help them function effectively.
Our beloved country is in need of renewal, a spiritual revival. We are
besieged on all sides by domestic and international problems. But, when the
rights of the unborn are unjustly cast aside, and when the terminally ill or
exceptional children and adults are looked upon as a burden to this society,
we are in serious trouble. The Roman Empire died from within, not by a
foreign power. We must be watchful about our own household - the United
States of America.
We should also be proud of the courageous stand taken by our Bishops
whenever human dignity has been threatened. Their voices have been raised in
defense of the poor and helpless, of all who are threatened, of the small
farm owner, of the unemployed, of refugees and alien migrant workers
enabling them to enjoy the legal protection of our government.
A Rosary for Life
Recited at 8:00 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Preceding the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Saint Michael Catholic Church