A Word from the Associate
WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

     "I believe in doing what my own conscience tells me," said my friend over the rim of his coffee mug.  "Not like you guys." 
     "Oh, but that's exactly what Catholics believe," I replied to him.  His look of surprise showed that this was hardly the answer he was expecting.  He didn't really believe me.
      Nonetheless it is true.  The teaching of the Church has always been: follow your conscience come hell or high water.  Never disobey it.  This is because conscience is the voice of God within us.  It is his own witness, within our minds and hearts, pointing the way to right and wrong, and so we obey it out of reverence for our Maker. Christ gives to us the precious gift of a good conscience, and few things in life are as important as dealing with this inner voice of God.
     Here are a few thoughts on living with a clear  conscience.  First: conscience is not a feeling.  It is an act of our reason, a judgment. We regularly feel guilty when there is no reason to, just as we don't feel guilty when we should. Feelings of guilt or innocence are like all other  feelings: they are indicators, but they don't always give us the right signals.  In the Christian understanding, love is not mainly a feeling; peace is not mainly a feeling; and guilt is not mainly a feeling.  It is an objective reality, which we may or may not feel properly about at any given moment.
      Second: conscience needs to be educated.  It doesn't work in a vacuum, and its operation in us fallen creatures is not infallible.  It needs to be purified and refined by the revealed voice of Christ in the Church, which is infallible in matters pertaining to salvation.  This is why it makes no sense in such matters to say, "I follow my conscience rather than the Church."  The Divine voice within does not contradict the Divine voice revealed in the Church.  If there is a conflict between my inner voice and revealed truth, it is a sign that my conscience still needs to be educated. 
     Third: conscience is not another way of saying "my opinion."  When Dad used to tell me that I needed to be home at midnight, and I decided that I was a mature individual and I could stay out until 2:00 in the morning, I was not "following my conscience."  When Christ teaches that, say, adultery is wrong and I decide that I see no   problem with it, I am not "following my conscience."  I am just being disobedient.
     Christ expects us to live with a clear conscience.  All the time.  It is one of the great freedoms and blessings of being a Christian.  How do we get there?  First we educate our conscience.  Then we obey it.  And then, when we don't obey it, which happens constantly as God knows, there is a way to regain that clarity.  Not by ignoring our sins, not by dwelling on them and beating ourselves with them, but by coming to the Lord and asking forgiveness, and in serious matters restoring life to our souls by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. 
What a blessing to live with this extraordinary gift of Christ: the gift of a clear conscience.

School News&
MARATHON 

We set a goal of $45,000 and met it!  Thanks to each and every family and all the parishioners for your contributions.
     There are NO CLASSES Thursday and Friday,  November 28 and 29 because of Thanksgiving Holidays.

SPAC UPDATE

The School Principal's Advisory Committee met on November 6.  Sister Gwendolin reported students have participated in many activities in the past month, including visits to nursing homes and nursing home projects.  They participated in several liturgies, including a special All Saint's Day liturgy.  Report cards have been distributed and conferences are being held in  November.  School students and religious education students are researching homelessness, and going to write letters to our state legislators encouraging more housing and financial support for homeless families with children.     
    SPAC members approved tuition rates for the 2003-2004 school year, and the rates will be presented to the Parish Council for approval.
     Parents with questions or concerns about the day-to-day operations of the school are asked to call Sister Gwendolin at (651) 633-1522.
     If any one can donate paper, please call or bring in to the school office.  Thank you.

Youth News&
SERVICE CLUB II   Service Club II will meet Tuesday,  November 19 from 4:30-7:30 pm.   Participants will perform service in the community.   Adults over the age of 21:  Drivers  are needed to take Service Club members to sites and supervise projects.  If you can help on any of  these dates:  November 19, 26, December 3 or 12, please contact Sara Riehle 763-754-7666.
CONFIRMATION Confirmation Session #4 will be held on November 17 from 7:15-8:30 in St. Joseph Hall. This   session will be an adult/candidate retreat.  All Confirmation Candidates and Sponsors are expected to   attend. 
ODYSSEY, JR. HIGH FAITH FORMATION will  meet  this Wednesday, November 20, at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm in the youth room. There is an ongoing need for adults and peer ministers with IIB training to facilitate small groups in the  Jr. High Odyssey (faith formation) program.  Volunteers need only commit to one unit 5-7 sessions, at a time. All materials and support  are provided.