Dear Fellow Parishioners,

There are so many ways to be a disciple of Jesus. We all know that life can take us in so many directions. I am overwhelmed sometimes by the needs and issues that need to be addressed in the world around me. I especially feel this way regarding what we label as “pro-life” issues. There are so many ways in which the dignity of life is threatened that my head spins with the thought of it. In other areas of ministry I tell myself to focus on a particular issue, do the best I can, and leave the many additional concerns for others to concentrate on. When it comes to pro-life issues I find it hard to apply this strategy. My concern is that if I were to focus on one affront against human dignity it would be a comfortable excuse for me to disregard the others.

What can we do about a criminal justice system wherein race and wealth play equal roles with guilt and innocence? How do I know whether or not the clothes I am wearing right now were made in a sweatshop by children? How did the exploitation of the human body through pornography become a bigger business than professional sports? How is the behemoth military industrial complex undermining our ability to combat poverty? From the womb (abortion) to the tomb (euthanasia) there seems to be so many ways we can denigrate human dignity and therefore there are an equal number of ways to defend it as disciples of Jesus.

As a parish of disciples, many people have come forward and started ministries to address one of the pro-life issues. Here are just a few examples of ministries initiated by fellow parishioners: fair trade products and alternative giving for Christmas, food pantry, combating sex trafficking, baby shower for the poor, education loans in San Agustin, etc…Is there a pro-life concern that you feel called to address as a disciple of Jesus? If so, please let me know.

Your brother,
Fr. Kevin Carlin Kennedy