SOMETHINGS TO REFLECT UPON

On June 24, 2022 the Supreme Court issued a decision overturning the 1973 ruling of Roe v Wade which had allowed abortion throughout the country. In its June 2022 decision, the Court stated that whether abortion is legal or not is a decision that is to be made by each individual state and not the Supreme Court. The day this recent decision was issued, Cardinal Cupich issued a statement as Archbishop of Chicago. Though the Cardinal's statement was issued almost a month ago, what he wrote challenges each of us who hold the belief of "Respect for all of life," to create as he says, "...an ethic for dialogue and cooperation" with those who disagree with the Church's teaching on Respect for all of Life. Below you will find the Cardinal's Statement. I highly encourage you to reflect upon his words and his urging, "...to get to work building up the common good by choosing life."

Statement of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, on the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization June 24, 2022 

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturns the court’s tragic 1973 decision that removed legal protection for unborn children. We welcome this important ruling and the opportunity it creates for a national conversation on protecting human life in the womb and promoting human dignity at all stages of life. This moment should serve as a turning point in our dialogue about the place an unborn child holds in our nation, about our responsibility to listen to women and support them through pregnancies and after the birth of their children, and about the need to refocus our national priorities to support families, particularly those in need. 

The Catholic Church brings to such a conversation the conviction that every human life is sacred, that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore deserving of reverence and protection. That belief is the reason the Catholic Church is the country’s largest provider of social services, many aimed at eliminating the systemic poverty and health care insecurity that trap families in a cycle of hopelessness and limit authentic choice. 

We also come to this dialogue as Americans, knowing that the principle that all human beings are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, and that first among these is the right to life. 

Make no mistake, because this ruling regrettably will have little impact on abortion in Illinois, as there are virtually no restrictions here, we will continue to advocate strongly for legal protections for unborn children. And we will redouble our efforts to work with all to build a culture that values the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. 

This ruling is not the end of a journey, but rather a fresh start. It underscores the need to understand those who disagree with us, and to inculcate an ethic of dialogue and cooperation. Let us begin by examining our national conscience, taking stock of those dark places in our society and in our hearts that turn to violence and deny the humanity of our brothers and sisters, and get to work building up the common good by choosing life.

I encourage you to pray the following prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Respect Life. It was published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of unborn children, we implore your intercession for every child at risk of abortion. Help expectant parents to welcome from God the priceless gift of their child’s life.

Console parents who have lost that gift through abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing through the Divine Mercy of your Son.

Teach us to cherish and to care for family and friends until God calls them home. Help us never to see others as burdens.

Guide our public officials to defend each and every human life through just laws. Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life, to speak for those who have no voice.

We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.

ST. BONAVENTURE

This past Friday, July 15, we celebrated the feast day of St. Bonaventure, one of the great Franciscan saints. St. Bonaventure was born in 1218 in the small town of Bagnoregio, Italy. A brilliant mind and great scholar, Bonaventure was also a humble and influential Franciscan Friar. Bonaventure assumed the leadership of the young Franciscan Order at a time of great turmoil in society and with the

Franciscans and other Mendicant Orders. Though often maligned as the destroyer of the ideals of St. Francis (especially by some in the First Order) …. in his policies Bonaventure favored a moderate position…. attempting to be faithful to the ideals of St. Francis (whom he had tremendous love and devotion for even though he had never met him…. For it was through his mother’s prayers to St. Francis that it appeared God healed Bonaventure as a very sick boy. Bonaventure while faithful to St. Francis also sought to preserve the developing Order as the Church urged. In following poverty he allowed for adaptation and evolution as the Order grew.

During his time as Minister General he wrote numerous spiritual works, biographies of St. Francis, lecture series and numerous sermons. The last words of St. Bonaventure’s book, The Soul’s Journey to God (Itinerarium), responds to the question of how it is possible to reach a mystical communion with God.

“…if you wish to know how these things come about, ask grace not instruction, desire not intellect, the cry of prayer not pursuit of study, the spouse not the teacher, God not man, darkness not clarity, not light, but the fire that inflames all and transports us to God by fullest unction and burning affection… This fire is God…. and Christ enkindles it in the heat of his burning passion… Let us then pass over into darkness; let us impose silence upon our cares, our desires and our imaginings… let us pass over from this world  with the Crucified Christ to the Father so that when the father is shown to us, we may say with Philip, ‘It is enough for me.’”

I encourage you to learn more about this holy man who gave direction and faithfulness to the Franciscan Order and continues to provide insight and direction through his writings to the Order today. For some books you might read to understand Bonaventure check with our Book & Gift shop workers for some suggestions.

I big THANK YOU to Fr. Mario, Jo Ann and all the workers and volunteers who helped prepare and conduct our 8th Annual St. Peter's Gala this past Thursday. God's blessings to all of you who purchased tickets, donated to St. Peter's and everyone who continues to support our ministry in the Loop here at St. Peter's. You are truly an important part of the ministry team that keeps St. Peter's going. You all are in the prayers of the friars.

Fr. Michael