“I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it” (Phil 1:4-6).

Welcome to Advent! As we begin this season of welcoming Christ into our hearts in an ever new, ever deeper way, we can remember that our real journey is not just about knowing more things about God, but knowing God Himself, having a deeper relationship with him in prayer, living the life of faith, hope, and love more generously and more joyfully.

“…all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion.”

"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

I am away from the parish, ministering at an “Engaged Encounter” marriage preparation retreat weekend. During this retreat, and every time I meet with a couple to start the marriage preparation process, I say that one of the reasons that faithful Catholic couples statistically have a higher success rate is because we don’t just hand them a marriage license and say, “Good luck.”

As a capstone ot the series let us pray and be united in commending our election and our nation to God through the intercession of our national patron saint, the Immaculate Conception.

We are on week 14 of 15 through our tour of “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” by the USCCB. Today we finish the last section, “Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials.” Today we finish the document.

“Our focus is not on party affiliation, ideology, economics, or even competence and capacity to perform duties, as important as such issues are. Rather, we focus on what protects or threatens the dignity of every human life.”

“The United States also has a unique opportunity to use its power in partnership with others to build a more just and peaceful world.”

“…society has the obligation to take positive steps to overcome the legacy of injustice…”

“Our redemption has a social dimension because ‘God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person, but also . . . social relations.’ To believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in everyone means realizing that He seeks to penetrate every human situation…”

“Politics is a noble mission to promote the common good. As such, it is about ethics and principles… it is about acting with others and through institutions for the benefit of all…”

“While people of good will may sometimes choose different ways to apply and act on some of our principles, Catholics cannot ignore their inescapable moral challenges or simply dismiss the Church's guidance… that flow from these principles.”

Continuing our look at the USCCB document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” today we finish the first major section, basically the first half, on the concepts of conscience, some basic moral theology principles, and Catholic Social Teaching.

…We are finishing the question, “What Does the Church Say About Catholic Social Teaching in the Public Square?” and we’re looking at the last two of the four pillars of Catholic Social Teaching: (1) The Dignity of the Human Person, (2) Subsidiarity, (3) The Common Good, and (4) Solidarity.

“Catholic voters should use the framework of Catholic social teaching to examine candidates' positions on issues affecting human life and dignity as well as issues of justice and peace...”

“Catholic voters should use the framework of Catholic social teaching to examine candidates' positions on issues affecting human life and dignity as well as issues of justice and peace.”

Continuing our look at the document from the USCCB, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” today and next week we are looking at the section titled, “How Does the Church Help the Catholic Faithful to Speak About Political and Social Questions?”

“The work for justice requires that the mind and the heart of Catholics be educated and formed to know and practice the whole faith.”

“Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ” (Eph. 4:29-32).