Dear Parishioners,
This week the scripture readings deal with the topic of marriage (Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11Mark 10:2-16). How timely it is that these particular readings, which only occur every three years, are being read this election year. As most of you know by now, our legislature has enacted a law redefining marriage so that two members of the same sex may be married. Society has always, even before Christianity, seen marriage as the union between a man and a woman, as the basic cell to stabilize families, generate and raise children, and help civilization to grow and flourish. The current legislation will threaten the basic welfare. Recently, in Australia, the government, including the Prime Minister, overwhelmingly defeated the concept of same sex marriage. I encourage you to read the inserts you’ll find in the bulletin in the weeks ahead, along with the green pamphlets found at the doors of the church. Marriage is in trouble, and as a result, so is our culture. Please become informed so that you may vote to protect marriage as society and the church have defined it since the beginning of time.
Nevertheless, in our defense of authentic marriage, we cannot detract or demean those who disagree with us. Instead, we must be civil, courteous, and charitable while standing tall for what we believe and the church teaches.
- Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
