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A Word From Our Associate&
The Church and Politics
It is voting time again, a good time to reflect upon what it means to be a Christian, to be at once aliens and exiles on earth, and at the same time members of an earthly and temporal society.
"My kingdom is not of this world." These words of Christ are the foundation of all Christian involvement with the temporal order, with politics and economics and civic life. The concerns of Christ are deeper, richer, fuller than those of this world. Christ is concerned for eternity, this world for matters of time, for things that pass away. Christ is concerned for our immortal souls, this world for our physical welfare. Christ is concerned for the justice of God, this world for human justice. Christ is concerned that our lives be truly successful, which means that we attain his heavenly kingdom, this world takes into account only temporal success. This is why Christ has never simply fit into any earthly political program. Of course, there are many who try to use the powerful name of Jesus for their own ends, who attempt to make Christ into a card-carrying whatever-they-happen-to-be. But he is simply too large, his kingdom too profound, for this-worldly politics to encompass.
But this concern for a coming kingdom emphatically does not mean that Christians pay no attention to the political or economic or civic order. The Christian is always looking for ways to see truth and charity enshrined in law, government, neighborhoods, culture, family, all kinds of social arrangements. Of course Christians, taught by their Master, understand that they will not be able to build a perfect human society. They are too aware of their own sin, they know that this fallen humanity is not the stuff of which a utopia is made. They know that such utopias are born of pride, and end in darkness. They involve themselves in the world of time, even as they are looking out for another kingdom, because they are impelled by love. They fight for justice even though they know that final justice will come only with the coming of the Just One. They work for peace even though they understand that it is only the Prince of Peace who will finally bring an end to violence. They look for moral truth to be embodied in law even though they know that the deceitful human heart will always find ways to avoid doing right. And because their hope is fixed on a Coming Kingdom, and because they understand that in mysterious ways that kingdom is already breaking out among us as a sign of Christ's presence, they do not lose heart even when it looks, despite hard work, as though the temporal order seems not to improve.
This then is the great vocation of the Christian laity. With converted minds and hearts set on Christ and his truth, the Christian disciple seeks to find ways to bring those transforming truths to the family, to the job, to the neighborhood, to the justice system, to the political arena, to the economic world. And so we exercise an important Christian duty when we vote. We do this not by signing on to set political programs, but by evaluating each issue, each party, each candidate, each initiative prudentially in the light of Christ's truth, and bring his transforming touch to the world. For love.
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School News&
The PTO general meeting is at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 12, in St. Joseph's Hall. There will be a $50.00 drawing. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.
Parent-teacher conferences are Wednesday, November 13, 8:00 am-7:00 pm, Thursday, November 14, 9:00 am-8:00 pm and Friday, November 15, 9:00 am-3:30 pm. There are NO CLASSES for the children on these days.
SPAC UPDATE The School Principal's Advisory Committee held their first meeting of the school year. Members previously attended a training session. Sister Gwendolin reported a good beginning to the school year, with full enrollment, and students working hard. Volunteers have started working on projects such as school pictures, vision screening, Santa's Secret Shop and helping in the classrooms. SPAC members formed committees for Finance, Marketing and Policies. The Finance Committee will propose 2002-2003 tuition rates at the November SPAC meeting. A special thanks to the Hanton's, the Marathon committee, students, and all who contributed to this year's successful Marathon. The School Principal's Advisory Committee is an advisory board. Its primary responsibility is to advise the principal on policy matters. Parents with questions or concerns about the day-to day operations of the school are asked to call Sr. Gwendolin at 651-633-1522.
Youth News&
SERVICE CLUB II Service Club II will meet Tuesdays from 4:30-7:30 pm beginning November 12th. Participants will perform service in the community for the first four sessions and will enjoy a social activity on December 10th. Adults over the age of 21: Drivers are needed to take Service Club members to service sites and supervise projects. If you can help on any of these dates: November 12, 19, 26, December 3 or 12, please contact Sara Riehle 763-754-7666.
CONFIRMATION "Candidate Only" session will be held on November 3 from 7:15-8:30. Candidates should bring any paper work that has yet to be turned in!
ODYSSEY, JR. HIGH FAITH FORMATION will meet this Wednesday, November 6, at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Sessions will be held in the youth room, and students are reminded to bring their Bibles to class with them.
JHL All 7th and 8th graders: join your friends at JHL (Jr. High Live), October 30th, in the youth room, from 7:30-9:00 pm. All 7-8th graders are invited to come and play games, listen to music, or just hang out! The junior high program, JHL, is in need snack donations for the year long program. Contact Kate Roush if you have any questions. 763-754-7666.
PEER MINISTRY TRAINING 9-12th graders who were unable to attend Peer Ministry Training, but are still interested in this ministry, can participate in the independent study. Call Kate Roush or Sara Riehle for further details (763) 754-7666.
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