Having been diagnosed with colorectal cancer back in 2005, I felt it was worth addressing the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States.

Most people believe colorectal cancer only affects the older population. However, according to the American Cancer Society, anyone can develop colon cancer.

How does someone get colon cancer? The American Cancer Society suggests a diet that’s high in red meats and processed meats may contribute. Also, if you have a family member who has had colon cancer, this may increase your risk. If this is the case, regular colon screenings starting at age 45 or younger may be necessary. Smoking, lack of exercise, and a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables are all risk factors.

For the most part, colon cancer is treatable and not necessarily a death sentence.

If you are interested in learning more about this disease — the risks, signs and symptoms, as well as treatment, visit the American Cancer Society’s website. There is a wealth of information regarding this topic as well as when to see a doctor. If you see any blood in your stool or any unexplained pain or changes in bodily functions, this should be brought to the attention of your family physician as soon as possible.

After my own diagnosis of stage 3 cancer, I started on a very aggressive treatment plan. Many thanks to the care of wonderful doctors and a wealth of prayers said on my behalf have helped me heal.

For myself, I had been doing everything right — eating a healthy diet, exercising daily, I never smoked, and didn’t have much of a family history of cancer. So why me? Just the way the dice rolls sometimes, I guess.

By parishioner Christine Smits, SEAS Health & Wellness Committee

 

The month of December, we focused on the virtue of generosity. This is a good virtue to focus on all year long.

The month of November, we focus on the virtue of positive thinking.

The month of October, we focus on the virtue of prayerfulness.

We’re focusing on the virtue of Respect for the month of September, 2022.

On May 24, 19 children and two teachers were killed by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. On July 4, seven people were shot dead at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. These were just two of the 356 mass shootings that have taken place so far in 2022. Overall, 24,529 Americans have died at the hands of a gun as of July 21.

In our Catholic faith, the definition of the right to life/dignity of life includes gun violence. We are called to see it as a faith issue; a pro-life issue. It can be an uncomfortable topic to approach, but our faith, our Pope, and our bishops, challenge us to go to places that are uncomfortable such as abortion, climate change, poverty, and now gun violence.

On June 3, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) calling on the federal government to pass common-sense laws to reduce the number of people who are senselessly killed each year, included the following statement in a letter sent to members of Congress:

Pope Francis has warned many times that we live “in a world marked by a ‘globalization of indifference’ which makes us slowly inured to the suffering of others and closed in on ourselves.” As he had also said, in his address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in 2015, “Here we have to ask ourselves: Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood.” In the ten years since the massacre of children at Sandy Hook, very little has been done by Congress to regulate these weapons and prevent another catastrophe. We urgently call on members of Congress to work together in a bipartisan fashion to make these horrific attacks less likely to happen again.

As most of us know, when it comes to gun violence, the United States is an outlier among the world’s industrialized countries. The United Kingdom has a much stricter set of gun policies, and only 33 people were killed with a gun in 2019. In Japan – where one must attend a class, pass written and shooting accuracy tests, pass a mental health evaluation, and pass a background check – only about ten people die by guns each year.

One major reason that the United States has lagged behind the rest of the world in preventing gun violence is the Second Amendment.  Our country is one of just three that has the right to bear arms in its constitution; the other two are Mexico and Guatemala. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has long established that the right to bear arms is only found within the context of a “well regulated militia,” two landmark cases in the past 15 years have recognized an individual’s right to own a gun regardless of the reason. These decisions have opened the floodgates for even stronger gun rights in this country.

However, the American people can still insist on laws that will reduce gun violence because our constitutional rights are not absolute. For example, our freedom of speech does not entitle one to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. The freedom of press does not allow one to harm another’s reputation if the author knows that what they are writing is false. And one may not appease the gods by throwing maidens into a volcano and claiming one’s freedom of religion as a defense. Even conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, writing in the majority opinion of one of the landmark gun rights cases in 2008, admitted that the Court’s ruling should leave untouched many longstanding prohibitions on the use of guns.

Following the Uvalde massacre, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, said this about how Catholics should weigh gun laws and the constitutional right to bear arms:

As I reflect on this latest American massacre, I keep returning to the questions: Who are we as a nation if we do not act to protect our children?  The right to bear arms will never be more important than human life. Our children have rights too. And our elected officials have a moral duty to protect them.

What kinds of policies does the USCCB support to save lives?  Here are a few:

▪ A total ban on assault weapons

▪ Limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines

▪ Universal background checks for all gun purchases

▪ Federal laws criminalizing gun trafficking

▪ Raising the minimum age for gun ownership

Please consider writing to your elected officials to support legislation that includes these and other common-sense policies to prevent gun violence. Also, consider this issue when choosing whom to vote for this fall.

The opportunity to hold our government accountable for addressing this crisis is here – a June 2022 NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll shows that support for gun legislation is the highest it’s been in a decade. As compassionate Catholics, let us heed the call from Pope Francis and our bishops and demand this accountability now.

Andrew Crane
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Dignity of Life Committee

 

We’re focusing on the virtue of Courage for the month of August.

 

   

The next 30 days, you are invited to build upon the virtue of silence in your life.

Silence

Humor (PDF Document)

Patience (PDF document)

Kindness (PDF Document)

Understanding (PDF Document)

God wants us to be happy.

Of course, that’s not all there is to life, to be happy for happiness’s sake.  God is more concerned about His people being good and doing good as vessels of His creation.  But if we are not happy, everything – including being a good Catholic – becomes more difficult.  Negative thoughts, a lack of confidence, and disconnect with oneself and with others create barriers to reaching one’s full potential.  On the other hand, happy people have the energy, enthusiasm, and focus to live out their lives in the manner which God intends for us to do.

So, we know that God probably does want us to be happy, and we understand that happiness clears the way for authentic spiritual living.  The question is, how can we become happier?

Dr. Laurie Santos has grappled with this question throughout her professional career.  A Professor of Psychology at Yale University, she finally decided to put her research to use by creating a class called “The Science of Happiness.”  In short time, the class became the largest in school history, with just under a quarter of the entire Yale student body registered.

Dr. Santos was encouraged to share her secrets with a world desperate for her teachings, so she developed a class on Coursera, a free online university open to the public.  As the world suffered through a pandemic, political turmoil, and other societal disruptions, enrollment quickly doubled, quadrupled, and more.  By the end of 2020, more than three million people had signed up for her Coursera course!

A few months ago, in an interview with Newsweek, Dr. Santos distilled her lessons on happiness into five key practices.  For each principle, I’ve provided a Bible verse (or two) to illustrate that these practices do in fact align with what God wants – and expects – from us.

#1 Get Social

We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.  (Hebrews 10:25)

In a 2002 happiness survey, psychologists Ed Diener and Martin Seligman discovered that one thing separated the top 10% of happy people from others.  Happy people were more social.

Come early and stay late for Sunday Mass.  Join a committee, choir, or some other organization at church.  And if you’re not yet sick of Zoom, make it a routine to chat with your relatives and friends who live out of town.

#2 Give Thanks

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

People who show gratitude tend to be happier and show lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.  One study found that health care workers who journal their gratitude show less stress and depression.  Another body of research demonstrated that people suffering from chronic pain experience better sleep and mood when they practice gratitude.

Keep a journal.  Send a thank-you note to someone, even if their act of kindness took place months or even years ago.  Always be sure to say thanks, wave, or smile, even for the little things in life – holding a door, a driver’s courtesy, or a compliment.

By the way, you will not be surprised to learn that the concept of thankfulness appears almost 200 times in the Bible!

#3 Be in the Moment

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.  (Matthew 6:34)

Harvard psychologists have learned that people spend more than 40 percent of their time mind-wandering—not paying attention to the here and now.  Living in the past is unproductive and a far-off future is never guaranteed.  We must find joy in each day we have been blessed with.

Many people swear by meditation.  Although I don’t do it, I certainly commit myself to noticing what the world around me looks, sounds, and feels like.  “My coffee tastes great this morning.”  “This shower feels nice and warm.”  There are good, pleasurable things all around us, if we just take a little time to pay attention to them.

#4 Rest and Move

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil – all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.  (Psalm 127:2)

Studies too numerous to list demonstrate the links between physical fitness and mental health.  When you exercise, it increases adrenaline, endocannabinoid, dopamine, and endorphins, which are associated with happiness and confidence, and which reduce anxiety, stress, and physical pain.  In addition, all of the other happiness habits depend upon getting a full night’s rest, every night.

Enjoy a regular walking routine or some other workout schedule.  At night, read a book instead of using electronic devices.  Set and maintain a consistent bedtime routine.

#5 Be Kind

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.  (Luke 6:35)

The science says that we receive happiness when we are kind to others.  People who share more of their time and money in charity and random acts of kindness are reportedly the happiest.

Also, be kind to yourself!  People who are compassionate toward themselves are more likely to reach their happiness goals than those who impose harsh self-criticism and unrealistic expectations.  The past year and a half has been pretty tough; remember that you’re human and you’re doing the best you can.

Chances are that you are already engaged in some of these five key principles.  Try doing something new in each category, and before long you just might find that living a happy Catholic life is not nearly as daunting as you thought.

Oh, and if you’d like to check out Dr. Laurie Santos’s Coursera class, look for “The Science of Well-Being” on Coursera.org.

By Andrew Crane
Parishioner and Member of our Dignity of Life Committee

 

Source: Santos, L. (2020, December 22). 5 things that will make you happier. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/2021/01/08/laurie-santos-yale-happiness-professor-5-things-that-will-make-you-happier-1556182.html.

COVID-19 Stress Relief Tips

1) Rest assured, you are not alone. It is natural to feel stress and anxiety at this time.

2) Set aside time to breathe. It allows you time to take a break from your concerns.

3) Know it is okay to ask for help.  The reality is most people not only want to help; but it brings them joy.

4) Focus on the good and provide acts of kindness. Contact someone who is alone and let them know you are thinking of them.

5) Take one day at a time. Be grateful for the connections you have.

6) Know timing is everything. Stay informed but avoid too much negative news.

7) Focus on what you can do and accept the things you cannot control. Take care of yourself.

8) Find ways to stay safely connected. Sharing helps to stay connected.

9) Set daily routines that include being creative. Try to get fresh air, even if it is standing in your driveway for five minutes.

10) Write it down. It helps to get your fears and concerns out of your head and into the open.

11) Remember daily prayer lightens your path.

Brought to you by our Health & Wellness Committee: Carole Stoychoff, Marianne Olson and Judy Benkowski. Typed by Carol Jensen.

 

Meet our Health & Wellness Committee who Share Ideas on Coping and Finding Joy During COVID-19

 

Hello, I am CATHY S. I am a newly retired RN.  I have been at SEAS for 25 years. I look forward to making a difference with sharing my talents and knowledge. I look forward to meeting and getting to know more of our SEAS’ families. I have also been involved with our choir for 7 years and am really excited to get back together again. I want the church to be filled with the sound of music.

Regarding finding joy during this pandemic, I want to share Kimberly Wagner’s words of wisdom regarding setting a trajectory of joy before the day begins. She states “You might find it tempting to sleep in right now, but be intentional with the early moments to prepare your heart for the day before chaos takes over.  It’s vitally important to meet with God by getting into the Word and letting Him know how very much you need His help for all that will come your way. My responsibilities and the future unknowns never look as threatening and ominous once I go to the Father of comforts and sit in His presence a good while– before all the daily distractions hit. Personally, I cannot stress this enough– getting to God in the first moments of the day can really set the course for the rest of your day.”

 

Hello, I am MARY JO R.. I have been a member of SEAS  for 27 years. I enjoy my role as a volunteer at SEAS, especially as a coordinator of the annual Christmas Sponsorship Program. I am a RN and have worked in various positions in medical/surgical nursing. However, I enjoy cardiac nursing the most. I look forward to working with this great team as we build the Health and Wellness Program at SEAS. I look forward to meeting other parishioners as they explore information and opportunities in their wellness journey.

I would like to share with you “4 Ways to Cope With Covid 19”. This is my biggest takeaway from an article I read in Psychology Today by Jamie Aten, PhD

1. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and practice other healthy sleeping habits (e.g. using naps with care, limiting light exposure from LED screens before sleep)
2. Maintain a healthy balance of nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy protein.
3. Exercise regularly.  Try to get 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Stay somewhat physically active during your day.
4. Do not self-isolate. Are others perceiving you as emotionally withdrawn?  Reach out to others. Call a friend. Face Time or Zoom someone. Go for a walk with someone.

 

Hello my name is JUDY B. I am the mother of 6 wonderful children and the grandmother of 12 awesome grandchildren   I am a retired teacher. I love to be outside walking and enjoying the beauty and wonder of God’s beautiful world.

 

Hello my name is LYN W. I have always been interested in health and wellness and how they are connected. I worked at St Vincent Hospital in the lab for over 40 years. Until Covid 19, I volunteered at Unity Hospice and at St Mary’s Hospital as a Eucharistic Minister. I have worked in healthcare most of my life. My outlook on life has been impacted by care needed for parents and in-laws due to their aging and dementia. I have experienced how wellness and health interact to lead to a better lifestyle.

My thoughts on finding joy during Covid -19 are based on an article by Angela Gorrell. She states “Gratitude brings to mind good that is in the world which makes rejoicing possible”. Personally, I am practicing gratitude during these difficult times. I am grateful for the following: 1.  Noticing changing of the seasons in the neighborhood on my daily walks. 2. Technology that allowed us to connect with children and grandchildren. 3.  Ability to connect with friends through FaceTime on Thanksgiving while we were in quarantine.

 

Hello my name is CAROLE S. I am an RN. I spent 42 years of nursing at St Vincent Hospital. Twenty-two of those 42 years was spent in neuro-ICU and 20 years in home health care nursing. I feel I worked from one spectrum to the other. I was happily married for 48 years until the passing of my husband  in 2018. I have 2 sons, 1 daughter and 7 grandchildren who are the love of my life. Being a member of SEAS and beginning this journey of bringing wellness to parishioners has brought much fulfillment to my life.

 

Hello my name is MARIANNE O.  I am a retired nurse and mother of three. I received my nurses training from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. I have had experience in various fields of nursing. I worked in medical-surgical nursing, surgical outpatient, outpatient allergy clinic, and in emergency room nursing (my favorite). I retired after 15 years of nursing with The Red Cross.  The health field has been very important in our family as my daughter and granddaughter are both RN’s. I also have another granddaughter who is a physician assistant. I found all of my nursing experiences very rewarding. I am happy I chose nursing as my lifelong career.

 

Hello I am TINA F. My husband, Matt, and I moved here 2 years ago from Eau Claire WI -where we raised our two kids. We have been members at SEAS the last two years. I worked on the Parish Life Committee at SEAS; however, my passion is health and wellness. I have been bugging Sister Marla since I moved here to start a Health and Wellness Committee. I am a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist and have been working in this field for 35 years. I have a private practice in Green Bay and work part-time. I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of individuals. With God, we look forward to reaching out and bringing health and wellness to all of you.

For many of us, this pandemic has caused some real suffering including death, illness, financial hardship, depression, loneliness, fear, anger, etc.

I have taught classes in the past on how to find joy in the midst of suffering.  St Thomas Aquinas states, “Joy can be described as spiritual contentment, resulting from the possession of a desired good. “Authentic Joy” consists in the possession of God, Who alone can satisfy our hearts, which thirst for infinite truth and infinite love. Joy is present when there remains nothing to be desired”.

One of the truths that has helped me to view “suffering” differently is the truth that suffering can bring you closer to God. There is no doubt Jesus carried the cross and suffered miserably. However on the other side of this suffering was the resurrection. I really have come to believe that if God brings you “to it”, He can bring you “through it.”

“You cannot conceive”, said Jesus to Sr. Josefa Menendez “how great is the reparatory value of suffering”. Suffering you see nourishes and perfects love. And it is love alone that has any value in God’s eyes. St Therese said “when suffering is accepted with love, it is no longer suffering, but it is changed to joy.”

Changing my perspective on “suffering” has helped me immensely to get through difficult dark times. Maintaining hope is also key. Never give up hope!  I have lived long enough to know there is always hope. Hope is also another prerequisite to finding joy.

Our virtual Mardi Gras event was February 6, 2021, with a delicious meal, silent auction, and jazz music. We are grateful to all who helped make it a success. There were many behind-the-scenes volunteers that we couldn’t have done it without. We enjoyed the music of local band Brass Differential who recorded three songs exclusively for this event. Catholic Financial Life sponsored the songs My Feet Can’t Feel Me Now and Do Whatcha Wanna. Gerbers Law sponsored the song Hurricane Season. We especially thank the cooks who made all the food. You’ve asked for the recipes. Here they are.

 

Jambalaya

▪ 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

▪ 12 oz. (4 links) Johnsonville New Orleans Andouille sausage

▪ 1 medium-sized onion, cut in large chunks

▪ 1 green bell pepper, seeded & cut in chunks

▪ 3 ribs celery cut in chunks

▪ 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning (used Zatarains)

▪ 1 – 14 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained

▪ 1 cup long-grain white rice

▪ 1 can (15.5 oz.) chicken broth

▪ 1# peeled & deveined uncooked shrimp

Cut vegetables in similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Stir all ingredients, except the shrimp, together in a large bowl. Pour into baking dish and cover. Bake at 350° for 1 -1 ½ hours. Add shrimp in last 30 minutes of baking. Check and stir several times throughout.

 

Cornbread Casserole

▪ 1 can cream style corn

▪ 1 can whole kernel corn, drained

▪ 1 stick melted butter

▪ 1 cup sour cream

▪ 1 pkg. Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

▪ 2 eggs, slightly beaten

Mix all ingredients well. Pour into greased casserole dish. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours at 350°.

 

Authentic New Orleans Style Gumbo

 Ingredients for the Roux

▢1 heaping cup all-purpose flour (1 ¼ – 1 ½ )

▢2/3 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)

Ingredients for the Gumbo

▢1 bunch celery, diced, leaves and all

▢1 green bell pepper, diced

▢1 large yellow onion, diced

▢1 bunch green onion, finely chopped

▢1 bunch fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped

▢2-3 cloves garlic

▢1-2 Tablespoons cajun seasoning * (I used 1 TBSP Zatarains)

▢8 cups Chicken broth *

▢12 ounce package andouille sausages , sliced into coins

▢Meat from 1 Rotisserie Chicken*

▢2 cups Shrimp, pre cooked

▢Cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

Make the Roux*. In a large, heavy bottom stock pot, combine flour and oil. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 30-45 minutes. This part takes patience. When it’s finished, it should be as dark as chocolate and have a soft, “cookie dough” like consistency. Be careful not to let it burn! Feel free to add a little more flour or oil as needed to reach this consistency.

Brown the sausage. In a separate skillet on medium-high heat place the sausage slices in one layer in the pan. Brown them well on one side (2-3 minutes) and then use a fork to flip each over onto the other side to brown. Remove to a plate.

Cook the vegetables in broth. Add 1/2 cup of the chicken broth to the hot skillet that had the sausage to deglaze the pan. Pour the broth and drippings into your large soup pot. Add remaining 7 1/2 cups of chicken broth. Add veggies, parsley, and roux to the pot and stir well. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly tender. (Skim off any foam that may rise to the top of the pot.) Stir in cajun seasoning to taste.

Add meat. Add chicken, sausage, and shrimp.

Taste and serve. At this point taste it and add more seasonings to your liking–salt, pepper, chicken bullion paste, garlic, more Joe’s stuff or more chicken broth–until you reach the perfect flavor. Serve warm over rice. (Tastes even better the next day!)

Notes roux. The roux can be made 3-5 days in advance, stored in a large reseal-able bag in the fridge.

Notes chicken and broth. The best way to make this gumbo is by buying a rotisserie chicken–removing all the chicken, and using the carcass to make homemade chicken broth. Then make the gumbo using the chicken and homemade broth. You can use store-bought chicken broth, but homemade is way better! (I used store-bought for the Mardi Gras.)

Storing Instructions. Store Gumbo covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freezing Instructions. This recipe makes quite a lot, so save leftovers for another day!  To freeze gumbo, allow it to cool completely and store it in a freezer safe container (separate from the rice) for 2-3 months.  Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Nutrition. Calories: 464kca. Carbohydrates: 5g. Protein: 12. Fat: 29g. Saturated Fat: 3g. Cholesterol: 116mg. Sodium: 1303mg. Potassium: 371mg. Fiber: 1g. Sugar: 1g. Vitamin A: 230IU. Vitamin C: 38.4mg. Calcium: 94mg. Iron 1.7mg.

 

Our jazz songs’ sponsors. Thank you for your support!

You’re not racist.

I always thought that was enough.  Oh, I knew that I had my biases and prejudices, like everyone.  But because I was conscious of them and did not treat others unfairly because of them, I wasn’t racist.

I was certain that racism was not endorsed by the Bible.  Sure enough, in James 2:8-9, we read, “However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.  But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

I was also pretty sure that church leaders must have condemned racism.  In 2020’s “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops proclaimed, “Racism is evil because it attacks the inherent dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God.”

So, I thought I knew what racism was, that it was inconsistent with my faith, and that I wasn’t part of the problem.

But that’s no longer enough.  I have to take the next step; I have to be an anti-racist.  All Catholics have to be anti-racists.  Each of us must be part of the solution.

If we are to end the scourge of racism in our land, we must now stand up to all words, actions, traditions, and policies that prevent people from realizing their full potential, enjoying life to its fullest, and fulfilling the “more perfect union” the Constitution calls for.

It is time to take a side, and as Catholics that must be the side of anti-racism.

Elie Wiesel knew something about racism.  Millions of his Jewish people were murdered by the Nazis because of their ethnic backgrounds.  Wiesel himself was a survivor of the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps.

“We must take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.  Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.  Sometimes we must interfere.  When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.  Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe” Elie Wiesel, 1986 Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

We can become the center of the universe when it comes to combatting racism.  The alternative is to do nothing, to say nothing, and allow the center of the universe to remain as it was.  As a black hole.

For more information, videos, and a Prayer to Overcome Racism, go online to www.usccb.org, the Issues and Actions tab, Racism drop-down box.

Written by: Parishioner Andrew Crane, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Dignity of Life Committee Member

The season of Advent has a social justice focus. In what ways are we helping our world prepare for Christ’s coming? Celebrate the season of Advent by focusing on others in need by collecting food items for a local pantry or family in need.

How to Discuss Politics in a Dignified Way
Social Justice Essay

“So, what do you think about impeachment?”

It’s Thanksgiving, and once again we can count on Uncle Charlie to bring up politics. As we approach another contentious election year, how can we maintain our Christian dignity when disagreeing with people we care about?

A common suggestion is to avoid politics altogether, and sometimes this may be the only solution. However, a better option might be to respectfully engage in polite discussion. When polarized Americans are retreating into two separate camps with their own cable news networks, websites, and radio shows, intergroup interactions could greatly benefit society.

When a friend or relative disagrees with you, ask whether that relationship is worth it, suggests author David Olarinoye. If so, consider giving up the goal of winning the argument. If you can, make the new goal coming to a truce. In this way, you know that there will be disagreement and that you’re not going to win but you’re not going to lose either.

Make yourself be heard, share the facts and statistics, and ask the other person to provide their sources of information. And let the other person do the same thing. Be a good listener. And remember that you will not convince someone that they are wrong and you are right.

Most people want to solve the same problems; they just have slightly different solutions. Seek out ideas that you both agree with. And keep it about the ideas – don’t make it personal. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

So when Uncle Charlie wants to talk politics on Thanksgiving, pass the gravy, and don’t necessarily pass on the opportunity to understand each other’s point of view just a little bit more.

Authored by Andrew Crane, parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Dignity of Life Committee

In his encyclical Laudato Si´, Pope Francis challenges us to care about and take action against climate change.

“It must be said that some committed and prayerful Christians, with the excuse of realism and pragmatism, tend to ridicule expressions of concern for the environment. Others are passive; they choose not to change their habits and thus become inconsistent. So what they all need is an ‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ becomes evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”  ~Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si´, 217

Laudato Si´ “unambiguously accepts the scientific consensus that changes in the climate are largely man-made” and states that “climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day” and warns of “unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequence for all of us” if prompt climate change mitigation efforts are not undertaken.

Although the science and politics surrounding climate change are still debated in the United States – unlike in most countries in the world – Pope Francis has no doubt that climate change is occurring and must be quickly addressed.

Carbon dioxide is at its highest level in 650,000 years.  Seventeen of the eighteen warmest years on record have occurred since 2001.  Arctic ice and polar ice sheets are losing mass at alarming rates.  Sea level has already risen seven inches in the past century.  The evidence of climate change is overwhelming, which is why 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that the climate is changing and that human activities are responsible.

To learn more about how we can meet the pontiff’s challenge on climate change, please visit the website for Catholic Climate Covenant: www.catholicclimatecovenant.org.  Also, as always, consider this important issue of Catholic social teaching in mind when voting and when communicating with your elected representatives.

It is not too late to put our faith into action on climate change!  However, there will soon come a day when we are past the point of no return for preventing devastating ecological damage, mass extinctions, and human suffering.  We must remember we have borrowed the earth from our grandchildren.   We must also remember God has trusted us with the gifts of creation and asked us to be good stewards of its care.

By the Dignity of Life Committee