Dear Brothers and Sisters,

November is when the Church focuses Her prayers for our beloved deceased brothers and sisters. During this month, the names of our parishioners who have died this past year will be displayed to honor and remember them. November is also an fitting time to reflect “the four last things” - death, judgement, heaven, and hell. The theological word for this type of reflection is called eschatology, which literally means the “knowledge of the last things.”

Dear Brother and Sisters,

For election seasons to be filled with uncertainty is one thing… but this election season has been rampant with polarizing issues that have divided our nation and our families. People are on opposite sides of issues and these opinions are often accompanied by strong emotions. During your time of discerning which candidates and issues you support, it is best to start it in prayer. We ask you to join us on November 1st at 7:30pm in the church for Holy Mass and a 12- Hour Prayer Vigil.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we celebrate respect Life throughout the month of October, Our Lord reminds us of the sacredness of every life. Catholics have always held and will always preach the value of human life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Catholic Church is subject to an increasing hostility and discrimination that has never been seen in our lifetime. Attacks against Christian institutions and the maligning of Christian beliefs by the government, the courts, the media, and popular culture are reaching unprecedented and unacceptable levels. People who wish to practice their faith are being told by the elites that our faith is only to be seen as “personal” and “private” if it is to be seen at all.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You will hear media types say that life issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, human embryo research, invitro fertilization and mandated contraception are “deeply personal” matters that should be left up to the individual’s decision-making process. That is not true and to believe otherwise is an attack on the very foundation of our faith and our understanding of who we are as God’s children, created in His image and likeness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the Gospel of Life recognizing that the right to life of every innocent human being is a fundamental component of a civil society and its legislation. (CCC, 2273). All Catholics are called by God to be prolife both personally and publicly. Faithful Catholics recognize the right to life for all human beings from the moment of conception to natural death. Knowing that human life is to be protected and cherished, informed and faithful Catholics have a responsibility to elect and support politicians who promote laws that protect life. Voting for prolife candidates a vital part of being a Catholic and an authentic disciple of Our Lord Jesus.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were two of the most important and influential figures concerning faith and politics of the 20th century. Both men were extremely gifted in their determination and their words. Together, they liberated Europe and made the world a better place by being a voice for the voiceless. They recognized that the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics. Both men knew that the fight for justice is not exclusively the role of the state. The Church in her God given responsibility to proclaim the truth of the Gospel “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 183)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we celebrate respect Life throughout the month of October, Our Lord reminds us of the sacredness of every life. Catholics have always held and will always preach the value of human life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Catholic Church is subject to an increasing hostility and discrimination that has never been seen in our lifetime. Attacks against Christian institutions and the maligning of Christian beliefs by the government, the courts, the media, and popular culture are reaching unprecedented and unacceptable levels. People who wish to practice their faith are being told by the elites that our faith is only to be seen as “personal” and “private” if it is to be seen at all.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You will hear media types say that life issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, human embryo research, invitro fertilization and mandated contraception are “deeply personal” matters that should be left up to the individual’s decision-making process. That is not true and to believe otherwise is an attack on the very foundation of our faith and our understanding of who we are as God’s children, created in His image and likeness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the Gospel of Life recognizing that the right to life of every innocent human being is a fundamental component of a civil society and its legislation. (CCC, 2273). All Catholics are called by God to be prolife both personally and publicly. Faithful Catholics recognize the right to life for all human beings from the moment of conception to natural death. Knowing that human life is to be protected and cherished, informed and faithful Catholics have a responsibility to elect and support politicians who promote laws that protect life. Voting for prolife candidates a vital part of being a Catholic and an authentic disciple of Our Lord Jesus.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were two of the most important and influential figures concerning faith and politics of the 20th century. Both men were extremely gifted in their determination and their words. Together, they liberated Europe and made the world a better place by being a voice for the voiceless. They recognized that the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics. Both men knew that the fight for justice is not exclusively the role of the state. The Church in her God given responsibility to proclaim the truth of the Gospel “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 183)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How many times have you heard that you should not mix religion and politics? Poppycock. Listen to what Cardinal Newman writes about our responsibility to bring the truth of Our Lord to politics.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Are you free to vote for whatever candidate you prefer? Yes and no. You are free to vote for whomever you like but that choice has personal and public consequences. The Church teaches that you and I have moral responsibilities that must be considered before casting your ballot. Since your vote does have moral implications and social repercussions you are not free to vote for just any candidate. You are to follow your conscience but your conscience must be well formed according to the teachings of the Church and in line with your call as a disciple of Our Lord Jesus.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“We all do no end of feeling and we mistake it for thinking. And out of it we get an aggregation which we consider a boon. Its name is public opinion. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God.” - Mark Twain

Dear Family in Christ,

As one of the largest Catholic grade schools in the Diocese of Phoenix, we have our share of blessings and challenges. We beg God to strengthen our Catholic identity and to fortify the faith of all the families attending our school. Our mission at Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic School includes a partnership of parents, students, staff and our parish family to nurture the growth of the whole child in a Catholic faith-based education through a challenging academic environment. It is in this Christ-centered atmosphere, that the unique qualities of each student are nurtured. Children are encouraged to be life-long learners and are taught to be active Christian leaders throughout their lives.