Dear Folks:
Items for the week of January 23,2022:
**While I was gone on vacation…I wish to thank Deacon Joe Fragale and the parish/school staffs for keeping St. Ambrose running so well in my absence. It is always easy to take some time away knowing the parish is in good hands and it is. Thank you, Deacon Joe, and the parish and school staffs for all you do for St. Ambrose. And, while it is good to get away, it is also good to get back to work and ministry!
**Infrastructure Fixes/ Upgrades: The Confessionals have undergone 4 fixes/upgrades:
1). The Confessional lights have been repaired so that now when someone is in the Confessional, the lights will tell people that someone is receiving the Sacrament.
2). The Confessional flooring has been upgraded from an old and shredded carpeting to a hardwood.
3). A wood panel on each of the Confessional doors has been replaced with glass for visibility into the Confessional; this is done to protect both the Priest and the penitent and is considered a, “best practice,” by the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
4). The radiator in the north Confessional was turned off and has been turned on and is working great.
And finally, a security camera has been installed on the south side—parking lot—entrance into the Church. With the keypad door on that south door entrance into Church to allow for 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration, this allows for greater security at that entrance.
**Lower Level Church Room: I have been getting complaints about how dirty the meeting room is, the room directly below the Church. I am working with the financial board to get that room cleaned on a regular basis; it is a beautiful room thanks to the donations of many and it needs to look pristine when people walk in there. So, please stay tuned; this problem will be fixed shortly.
**January 22nd, 1973: Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court Decision Legalizing Abortion: On January 22nd, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States decided that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restrictions; this decision struck down many U.S. federal and state abortion laws. This law has demeaned/diminished/minimized one of the prominent dignities given to women; that is, the gift of giving birth. It has meant the death of 63,000,000 children. It has meant the confusion of the moral compass of this society.
In order to pray for the unborn, for women and men, for the family unit, and for our society, on Sunday, January 23rd, from 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m. there will be Eucharistic Adoration in the Church with Benediction at 3:00 p.m.
I know there are many feelings about abortion. Some thoughts:
1). To those who have been involved in abortion decisions, the Catholic Church is here to help you and heal you, not to judge, demean, or belittle you! There is a saying, “Until you have walked in someone’s shoes, don’t judge them.” Well, the Church is here to support and heal, not judge!
2). To those who support abortion, I would ask you to please reconsider your position. No segment of society except for the unborn is denied legal rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No segment of society should be denied life and that includes the unborn. I know that one of the arguments for abortion is, “my body, my choice.” Well, the unborn baby is a unique individual who depends upon the woman for safe existence. The choices any of us make have consequences beyond us; the consequence of supporting an abortion means a facet of God—a new life—will not be able to enter the world and make it better. Abortion destroys lives: women, men, children, families. If you support abortion, please reconsider what you are supporting.
3). Something can not be other than what it is. The human being is always at different stages of development. Just because the infant in the womb is at one stage of development doesn’t make it any less human than someone at another stage of development; the development of the child in the womb is one stage of life, a stage that deserves as much protection as any other stage of life.
4). I heard a talk given once by a Priest who was speaking on Pro-Life. He stated that if one were to be Pro-Life that meant at every stage of life and that meant the rich, the poor, every segment of the population. He said that the response to abortion is to have the Sacred Heart of Jesus and invite others to embrace His Sacred Heart.
Again, on Sunday, January 23rd, from 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m., the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and all are invited to pray for women, men, unborn children, families, and our society. The adoration will close at 3:00 p.m. with Benediction.
Have a good week!
Fr. Jack