October 24, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
In just 10 days, we and our fellow citizens will be headed to our polling place to vote for our next governor, U.S. congressional representatives, and state legislators. This exercise of peaceably voting is not unique to the United States, but it’s nevertheless an important cornerstone of our country’s civic life. Yet, in our current times, we face worsening political polarization and disunity around our workplace coffee bars, on our social media feeds and even around our own kitchen tables.
As we approach Election Day on November 3, I hope we will all reflect on the following statement released October 22 by the archdiocesan Office of Peace, Justice and Life:
St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “[H]ave no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). We would do well to keep these words in mind in the coming weeks as we go to the polls and vote in the midterm and local elections. There are so many pressing issues in our time, and the prospect of what may or may not happen can weigh heavily upon us. Yet, bringing everything to the Lord in prayer helps us to discern the choices we make—not only as we vote, but in every aspect of life—and draws us into the deepest truth that transcends every election cycle, God's abiding presence in the world. For us Catholics, faithful citizenship is a way of life. Our faith calls us to engage with the realities of the world and transform society, making it ever more Christ-like and in greater accord with the moral truths we profess. Some may think that political issues have no place in the life of the Church, but in actuality, “[I]t belongs to the Church always and everywhere to announce moral principles, even about the social order, and to render judgment concerning any human affairs insofar as the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls require it.” (CCC 2032) Pope Leo stated in Magnifica Humanitas that because “the Church is present in the world as a sign of unity for the entire human family,… [the] Church actively participates in the processes by which society grows and is organized, and she offers her own contribution to the creation of a more just and fraternal society.” (MH 19) This is precisely why our own Cardinal McElroy has spoken out strongly against the seemingly indiscriminate ICE enforcement efforts across our country that have led to extraordinary fear and suffering in the immigrant community. This is precisely why Pope Leo, on the recent World Day Against the Death Penalty, reiterated that the “death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” This is precisely why the Church stands firmly in solidarity with the unborn, victims of war, those living with disabilities, the poor, and the marginalized. This is precisely why the Church rejects the culture of death that has taken root in our polity, and instead advocates, unwaveringly, for a culture of life. In this month of October, the Church celebrates Respect Life Month, which renews the call of all the faithful to cherish, defend, and protect the most vulnerable in society, from conception to natural death, and to address other issues that threaten life, such as racism, poverty, hunger, and access to housing and health care. Our choices in every election matter.
As Catholics, it is our responsibility to go to the polls with well-formed consciences that reflect the breadth and depth of our faith. No candidate, no party, is perfectly aligned with our faith. But the principles of Catholic Social Teaching help guide us in translating Jesus’s command to love God and love one’s neighbor into building a more just society. The Holy Father emphasized these principles again in Magnifica Humanitas — the Common Good, the Universal Destination of Goods, Subsidiarity, Solidarity, and Social Justice. They frame how we can build a better world, for they guide us in our work to safeguard and nourish the innate Dignity of the Human Person. Every person, without exception, is made in the divine image and likeness of God, and this dignity is absolute and must be honored and protected in every circumstance where it is threatened. Sorting through the issues and candidates of any particular election is complicated and messy, no doubt. But we must make our choices this election year in a spirit of prayer, in thanksgiving for the precious gift of our democracy, and in humble petition that the Lord will guide us in our work of drawing all souls to Him. May our nation and all the world know of God’s peace and love through the faithful witness of Catholic Christians.
I wish you a blessed and wonderful week, as we prepare to vote on Tuesday, November 3. And, don’t forget, early voting already started October 22 and goes through October 29. See more resources on the Maryland Catholic Conference web site.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, October 24:
Dear Friends in Christ,
In just 10 days, we and our fellow citizens will be headed to our polling place to vote for our next governor, U.S. congressional representatives, and state legislators. This exercise of peaceably voting is not unique to the United States, but it’s nevertheless an important cornerstone of our country’s civic life. Yet, in our current times, we face worsening political polarization and disunity around our workplace coffee bars, on our social media feeds and even around our own kitchen tables.
As we approach Election Day on November 3, I hope we will all reflect on the following statement released October 22 by the archdiocesan Office of Peace, Justice and Life:
St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “[H]ave no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). We would do well to keep these words in mind in the coming weeks as we go to the polls and vote in the midterm and local elections. There are so many pressing issues in our time, and the prospect of what may or may not happen can weigh heavily upon us. Yet, bringing everything to the Lord in prayer helps us to discern the choices we make—not only as we vote, but in every aspect of life—and draws us into the deepest truth that transcends every election cycle, God's abiding presence in the world. For us Catholics, faithful citizenship is a way of life. Our faith calls us to engage with the realities of the world and transform society, making it ever more Christ-like and in greater accord with the moral truths we profess. Some may think that political issues have no place in the life of the Church, but in actuality, “[I]t belongs to the Church always and everywhere to announce moral principles, even about the social order, and to render judgment concerning any human affairs insofar as the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls require it.” (CCC 2032) Pope Leo stated in Magnifica Humanitas that because “the Church is present in the world as a sign of unity for the entire human family,… [the] Church actively participates in the processes by which society grows and is organized, and she offers her own contribution to the creation of a more just and fraternal society.” (MH 19) This is precisely why our own Cardinal McElroy has spoken out strongly against the seemingly indiscriminate ICE enforcement efforts across our country that have led to extraordinary fear and suffering in the immigrant community. This is precisely why Pope Leo, on the recent World Day Against the Death Penalty, reiterated that the “death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” This is precisely why the Church stands firmly in solidarity with the unborn, victims of war, those living with disabilities, the poor, and the marginalized. This is precisely why the Church rejects the culture of death that has taken root in our polity, and instead advocates, unwaveringly, for a culture of life. In this month of October, the Church celebrates Respect Life Month, which renews the call of all the faithful to cherish, defend, and protect the most vulnerable in society, from conception to natural death, and to address other issues that threaten life, such as racism, poverty, hunger, and access to housing and health care. Our choices in every election matter.
As Catholics, it is our responsibility to go to the polls with well-formed consciences that reflect the breadth and depth of our faith. No candidate, no party, is perfectly aligned with our faith. But the principles of Catholic Social Teaching help guide us in translating Jesus’s command to love God and love one’s neighbor into building a more just society. The Holy Father emphasized these principles again in Magnifica Humanitas — the Common Good, the Universal Destination of Goods, Subsidiarity, Solidarity, and Social Justice. They frame how we can build a better world, for they guide us in our work to safeguard and nourish the innate Dignity of the Human Person. Every person, without exception, is made in the divine image and likeness of God, and this dignity is absolute and must be honored and protected in every circumstance where it is threatened. Sorting through the issues and candidates of any particular election is complicated and messy, no doubt. But we must make our choices this election year in a spirit of prayer, in thanksgiving for the precious gift of our democracy, and in humble petition that the Lord will guide us in our work of drawing all souls to Him. May our nation and all the world know of God’s peace and love through the faithful witness of Catholic Christians.
I wish you a blessed and wonderful week, as we prepare to vote on Tuesday, November 3. And, don’t forget, early voting already started October 22 and goes through October 29. See more resources on the Maryland Catholic Conference web site.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, October 24:
- 5 pm Vigil Mass in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. Mass readings
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
On November 7, a Speaker Addresses African-American Bishops in the United States
With 5 percent of Catholics identifying as Black, one might expect to see a proportional number of Black men in the episcopacy. But, of 268 active U.S. bishops, only five of them are Black and only two are African-American. During Black Catholic History Month, Ali Mumbach, a research assistant and communications and marketing assistant with Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, will speak to parishioners at 6:30 pm Saturday, November 7, in the church on the topic of African-American Catholic bishops in the United States. Please come to hear what is expected to be an engaging event!
The parish’s Ad-hoc Committee on Anti-Racim will sponsor the event, which will be followed by a reception. For more information, please contact committee members Ann Pierre at pierrea35@hotmail.com or Gerry Mpyanga at gmypanga@yahoo.com.
El 7 de noviembre, un orador se dirige a los obispos afroamericanos en Estados Unidos
Dado que el 5 por ciento de los católicos se identifican como negros, uno podría esperar ver un número proporcional de hombres negros en el episcopado. Pero, de los 268 obispos estadounidenses activos, sólo cinco de ellos son negros y sólo dos son afroamericanos. Durante el Mes de la Historia Católica Negra, Ali Mumbach, asistente de investigación y asistente de comunicaciones y mercadeo del Centro de Investigación Aplicada en el Apostolado de la Universidad de Georgetown, hablará a los feligreses a las 6:30 pm del sábado, 7 de noviembre en la iglesia sobre el tema de los obispos católicos afroamericanos en los Estados Unidos. ¡Ven a escuchar lo que se espera sea un evento interesante!
El Comité Ad-hoc Anti-Racim de la parroquia patrocinará el evento, al que seguirá una recepción. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con los miembros del comité Ann Pierre en pierrea35@hotmail.com o Gerry Mpyanga en gmypanga@yahoo.com.
Come to a Lecture during Black Catholic History Month
Come join us at 6:30 pm Saturday, November 7, in the church as Ms. Ali Mumbach, a research assistant with Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, speaks to our church members about the history of African-American bishops in the Church. Ms. Mumbach will also address the 1984 letter written by the country's black bishops, called, "What We Have Seen and Heard."
Attendees
