From the Associate&

Recently, I read in the Tribune, an article  about scientists in Scotland, who have successfully cloned four or five piglets.  The idea and hope, is that certain organs from the cloned pigs could be transplanted into human beings, organs, which would not be rejected by the human body, because they were genetically manipulated at the origin.  Not to get into a debate with animal rights activists, but this does point towards possible gifts of modern scientific discoveries, achievements that may benefit humanity and the common good.  However, I also have a lingering fear, that eventually several mad scientists are going to clone human beings, and one day very soon, we will be faced with a new phenomenon in our culture:  living next to, do business with, and marrying clones.
Four initial arguments come to my mind, in opposition to the cloning of human beings, as I judge the act to be immoral.  I hope to continue developing these thoughts in the future, so if you are reading this article, and have gathered some of your own insights, I would love to hear them!  The first reason I think it would be immoral, is that it contradicts Natural Law.  We are all created within a universe that possesses a definite order and balance.  We find this beauty also within the human subject, and discover that true wisdom abides with those who act harmoniously with nature:  for example, to respect the rights of others, is a basic tenet of Natural Law, and a principle upon which our judicial system is founded.  I think nature teaches us that human beings are to be born from the conjugal act of man and woman, ideally within the context of married love.  To step outside this paradigm is to force upon humanity an artificial mechanism, foreign to the sexual impulse itself.  Secondly, I think human cloning is another example of how corrupt has become societies' respect for the human body.  We no longer perceive our bodies as a gift from God, but view them as capital for genetic experiments, or as a thing (almost as distinct from ourselves) to be manipulated and disposed of according to our wishes.  God says they are to be revered, nurtured and appreciated "without shame".  We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and our bodies also reflect God's glory.  Thirdly, the image and likeness of God is not found solely within an individual (e.g. the soul), but is also discovered in "the two becoming one flesh," because husband and wife reaching out for unity, imitate the same love communion found in intra-Trinitarian life (Persons eternally consummating unity).  This image of God, in man and woman 'becoming one,' has evaporated in the technique of cloning.  Finally, I ask this question:  "As human beings, do we not have a right to be born from a father and a mother?"  Is not conception the inheritance of three gifts, one from Father, one from Mother, and one from God, who infuses the soul, and guides the creation and formation of a new and utterly unique human person?  Has a clone received three gifts? 

Has not the created character quality, "unique individual," been (a least partially) stripped away?  As I see it, it is not so much that  right has been taken away, as much as it was never allowed to be given.  We have received some beautiful moral treatises from recent popes (Humanae Vitae--Pope Paul VI, and Veritatis Splendor -- Paul John Paul II) addressing incredibly important issues.  I assume the next pope (or one soon after) will have to address this issue of cloning.  Let's pray for our future Pope, that through him, God would give us another beautiful document, full of wisdom and God's truth.

-- Fr. Michael



LENTEN REGULATIONS
The Christian faithful are to do penance through prayer, fasting, abstinence and by exercising works of piety and charity.  All Fridays through the year, and especially during Lent, are penitential days.

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS
A Lenten tradition at St. John the Baptist of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.  The Soup Supper is at 6:00pm in the School Cafeteria followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm in the Church.

This Friday, March 31 our soup supper will be sponsored by the St. John's SilverTones/Seniors. 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays during Lent at 7:00pm (following the soup supper) in the Church.



Music Notes&
Deepen your experience of Holy Week this year through music.  We invite you to join the Sanctuary Choir for this most important week in the Church's spiritual life.  Beginning on Palm Sunday, we will sing from Handel's Messiah, "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs."  The choir will then participate in the footwashing liturgy of Holy Thursday, will special ensembles leading the music of Good Friday.  The whole choir will again gather on Saturday night for Great Vigil, as we remember our salvation history and welcome newcomers to the Faith.  Finally, we will celebrate the resurrection of Christ at the 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday liturgy, with Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" and Handel's triumphant "Hallelujah Chorus."  Starting April 5 (or sooner!), join us for Wednesday night rehearsals at 8:00 p.m. in the church.