My dear family in Christ,

This week our nation observes two very important days, election Tuesday and Veterans Day. I’d like to consider Veterans Day first this weekend.

Looking back at family photos I vividly remember the black and white photos of my paternal and maternal grandfathers decked out in their World War I uniforms. I don’t believe either saw any front-line action in the “war to end all wars” but they served our nation proudly in an attempt to keep us a free country. The next photo that comes to mind is that of my father in his Navy uniform, a 17-year-old high school graduate in 1943 who enlisted to serve in World War II. As luck would have it, or perhaps the hand of God, after extensive training in flight school, he could never quite master landing the plane, an important skill if you need to land on an aircraft carrier, so he ended up spending the last months of his enlistment on Guam after it had been retaken by US forces. I have two brothers and a sister who served in the armed forces, a nephew and niece who have served in the Marines and Army respectively, and my own ill-fated attempt to become a Coast Guard officer. These family connections make me realize how thankful I should be for those men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation. As its noted on a popular bumper sticker, “freedom isn’t free.” Remember to pray for our veterans and those still serving. Their sacrifices make our lives better and guarantees our liberties.

Election Tuesday gives us all the opportunity to make decisions on what kind of community, state and nation we want to be. It is unfortunate that voter turnout still is amazingly low, even in presidential years. There are people around the world who long for the opportunity to freely and safely cast a ballot to help determine the direction of their own nation but are prevented from doing so. It is easy to complain about politicians, policies, laws and the like, but we need to remember that these are in our hands as citizens. As Catholics, we are enjoined by the Church to exercise its right with a view to the common good of all. Do we take our right to vote seriously? Do we make our voices heard? Do we become engaged in civil discourse to discuss issues which can unite or divide? Or do we just shrug our shoulders thinking that one vote doesn’t matter?

As we approach this election, we are faced with Prop 5/Article 22. This proposed constitutional amendment for “reproductive liberty” will become part of our constitution if just 50% plus one vote is cast in its favor. One vote does matter. Please remember to vote this Tuesday and allow your faith to inform your decisions on everything and everyone on the ballot, especially as it relates to the protection of human life.

In Christ,
Msgr. John J. McDermott, VG