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September 28, 2026So quickly we step into the month of October this week. Traditionally, October has been designated as “Respect Life Month” by the Church.
Thus we are called to examine how we treat others as Christians, our inherent values as a follower of Christ, and our personal understanding of ‘respect for all life’ from conception to natural death. As Major League Baseball moves into the playoffs perhaps Jackie Robinson reminds us how to withhold respect from the life of another: "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." How often do we measure or rate another individual, who is deserving of our respect? Each individual conceived is in the image of our Creator; thus, each life has a potential in God’s eyes. In an article written by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, they expound on the sacredness of all life, and our efforts to respect life in all its forms. “The sacredness of life and the dignity that has been bestowed upon each of our lives provides a solid foundation, especially at a time when the ground beneath us is shifting and quaking. This sacredness is rooted in my existence and being–not my choices, feelings or opinions. My very self, my very identity is “loved,” and this is what makes my life sacred. I am loved by God. When I, personally, do not understand my dignity and my sacredness rooted in the first moment of my existence (my conception), then my perception of the whole of reality is skewed; it is damaged. The root basis for love is wounded, but never beyond healing.As the ground beneath us shifts and quakes, we are tempted to gLet us instead intentionally surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ who came to reveal to you and to me the love of the Father for each individual person.rasp for control, to gain a steady footing.
While we may be unable to walk or march down the streets of Washington D.C., San Francisco, or our state capitols throughout the country this year, we can choose to affirm the dignity and sacredness of the unborn child’s life by affirming and loving the life of those around us – living in our homes, driving on our streets, neighbors, strangers. How many times do we succumb to degrading self-talk or devalue the sacredness and dignity of life by impatience with family members, while driving, gossip among friends, or impassioned raving against our civil or Church leaders? God who formed you, O Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.”Isaiah (43:1)In Thought: Examine your conscience nightly, recalling how you loved well and considering how to better love your neighbor. Thank the Lord for three things/graces that you are grateful for today. In Word: Refrain from gossip or unkind speech about others. Compliment those around you, especially if you find them difficult to love.In Deed: Donate supplies to a crisis pregnancy center/Birthright; donate to food shelters for those in need. Be a prayerful presence with a daily intention for the unborn and their mother; for the neglected and ignored; for the homeless and those imprisoned.In Spirit: Pray the Rosary for the respect of all human life, from conception to natural death. Spiritually adopt an unborn child: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.”(Prayer of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen)
May this upcoming month reaffirm our hope and efforts to see the sacredness and potential of God’s image in each individual. As he did for his Apostles, Jesus calls us forward on the same mission,“Go.”Go, and be his hands and feet in a world that devalues the life as created in God’s image. Go to the woman who is unexpectedly pregnant and fears for the future; go to the friend, co-worker who is struggling with depression and doubts; go to an aging parishioner who is homebound or alone in a care center. Go to a quiet space and pray for eyes to see the worth and respect of each individual, as does Christ Jesus looking at each of us from his sacred heart.An update on building maintenance. Boone Glass will begin preparing the Sacred Heart steeple openings (all four) for the installation of windows, sealing off the areas that have been so susceptible to unpredictable and aggressive weather patterns. Once completed, the vestibule walls below will be refurbished. At St. John church the air handler has been repaired along with the patching of various areas on the flat roof. High humidity throughout these last few months has affected the interior carpet and the wood doors within. Seasonal change during these weeks of Autumn will gradually bring dryer air and a significant drop in the humidity affecting our interior. Thank you for your patience.God Bless, Fr. TimFYI: "October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. It is the picturemonth.”(Henry Ward Beecher)