Catholics in the Public Square - Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted

Why would a bishop write a booklet on the mission of Catholics in the public square? Because there is a public square, and because Christ wants us to be there, loving our neighbor, doing works of charity, promoting the common good and defending the dignity and right to life of all. This is all part of being called by God to holiness of life. Holiness requires personal prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments. It also requires putting that faith into practice in both personal and public dimensions of life.
We live in a time in history when Catholics and other people of faith are frequently pressured to separate our faith from our public life. We are told that faith in God is a purely private affair and, therefore, should be left out of public debate. But such false contentions make a mockery of faith. They also are a disservice to society. If our faith does not impact on every dimension of our life, then it is not true faith. It has become a mere pretense. As St. James writes in his New Testament Epistle (2:26), “Faith without works is dead.”
Imposing on others or living lives of integrity?
In a similar vein, some contend that we Catholics are trying to impose our beliefs on others. Nothing could be farther from the truth as the Church merely proposes but does not impose its will.
As people of faith, we engage issues on the basis of what we believe, just as atheists engage issues on the basis of what they hold dear. We fight for what we think is right. When we act on the basis of our faith convictions, we are just living lives of integrity, being faithful to the vocation and mission we have received from God. This is good for others, even those without faith. It is good for one’s country. People of authentic faith strengthen the spiritual and ethical fiber of their country. These are the kind of citizens the world needs.
This is why Christ tells His followers (Mk 16:15), “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” He also tells us (Mt 5:14-16), “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
The scandal of doing nothing
If we do not put our faith into practice in the public square, our profession of faith becomes hollow, and we become a source of scandal for others. Scandal is not only a word or action that draws another into evil. It is also the omission of words or actions that are called for by justice. Many crisis-points in history illustrate this scandal of inaction, for example, slavery in the United States, the Holocaust in Europe, and ethnic cleansing in Rwanda. In retrospect, we find ourselves wondering, “How could those who believed in Christ have stood by idly in the face of such evil and injustice?” Yet, what we are really challenged to do by such historical instances is to examine our own times and our own inactions. Where are the great injustices now? By failing to do good when we have the ability and the duty to do so, we commit sin ourselves and we lead others to do the same.
Not to act when our neighbor’s life or the foundation of the family is at stake, as in the case of not attempting to protect unborn children threatened by abortion or to protect the institution of marriage, is a particularly grave scandal of omission. Jesus had strong words to say about this kind of scandal (Mt 18:6): “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Our Savior also said (Lk 17:1), “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur.”
Non-negotiables?
For some years now it has become fashionable to speak about “a seamless garment” approach to the Church’s teaching on political and social issues. While there is merit to this approach, in that it rightly emphasizes the inner coherence and objective connectedness of these issues, there have been times when such an approach left the impression that these issues are of equal importance. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Concern about this confusion led Pope John Paul II to write: “Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights — for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture — is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with the maximum determination.” (Christifideles laici, #38)
Pope Benedict XVI shed further light on this matter in his address on March 30, 2006, to European politicians:
“As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the principal focus of her interventions in the public arena is the protection and promotion of the dignity of the person, and she is thereby consciously drawing particular attention to principles which are not negotiable. Among these the following emerge clearly today:
Protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception until natural death;
Recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family — as a union between a man and a woman based on marriage — and its defense from attempts to make it juridically equivalent to radically different forms of union which in reality harm it and contribute to its destabilization, obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role;
The protection of the rights of parents to educate their children.”
So why does a bishop write a little book titled “Catholics in the Public Square”? Because he wants to encourage the members of the Church, and indeed all people of good will, to be good citizens, to engage in public debate, to be well informed on key public issues, to vote, to put their faith into action.
This column originally appeared in the Oct. 19, 2006, edition of The Catholic Sun.

Confirmation 2009 for San Juan Deanery

Friday, May 29, 2009 7:00 pm – St. Mary Church in Farmington for the following parishes:
· St. Mary - Farmington
· Sacred Heart - Farmington
· San Juan - Kirtland
· Sacred Heart - Waterflow
· Christ the King – Shiprock


Saturday, May 30, 2009 10:00 am – St. Mary Church Bloomfield for the following parishes:
· St. Mary – Bloomfield
· Immaculate Conception – Cuba
· St. Joseph – Aztec
· Holy Trinity – Flora Vista
· St. Rose – Blanco
· St. Francis/St. Anthony – Lumberton/Dulce

Change to Confirmation Schedule.

The scheduled Confirmation on May 30, 2009 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Church in Farmington has to be changed to another day and time due to a conflict with other parish activities. When the new date(s) and time(s) are determined, the Pastors of the San Juan Deanery will be notifed.

letter from Bishop Pelotte to the faithful of the Diocese of Gallup

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“In the end, there are three things that last: faith and hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.” These words from the Sacred Scriptures (I Cor 13:13) fill my mind and heart as I give thanks to God for the privilege of serving as your bishop for the past 22 years. Our health does not last; our “jobs” do not last; our earthly plans do not last, no matter how good and worthwhile these may be. But faith and hope and love last. What a blessing to have been given these by God.
It was love that led me to Gallup and love that still unites me with you today: the love of God that comes to us in Christ, the love that is especially present in the Blessed Sacrament. This love will not diminish as I adjust to retirement and as you prepare to receive a new bishop through the providence of God and the choice of Pope Benedict XVI. Love never fails; no matter what comes, love endures.
I also praise God for the gift of the Catholic faith that we share. Times of transition test our faith and challenge our hope. Like Abraham, we must leave behind what is familiar and dear to us and must allow the Lord to lead us in ways unknown. Let us pray for one another at this time of transition for both you and me, that our faith in God may be strong. May each of us “Strengthen One Another” (Rom.14:19) as we go through these challenging times.
I want to say a special word of thanks to those who have collaborated so generously with me over the past 22 years, in particular my brother priests and deacons and our consecrated men and women religious. I shall always carry you in my heart. I am deeply grateful to you, the lay faithful of this local Church, to all of you who serve or have served on diocesan councils and parish councils and in the many ministries and services of the Church. Above all, I thank the married couples and parents for building up the Church through your faithful love of one another.
Faith, hope and love last, because they are from God. Put all your trust in him; He will not fail us. And know that you are in my prayers always.
Fraternally in Christ,

Most Rev. Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
Bishop Emeritus of Gallup

Confirmation Schedule 2009

A Confirmation Schedule proposal was requested by Bishop Olmsted to be presented for discussion and approval by the Bishop and the Diocesan Consultors. The following schedule was presented and approved at the August 28, 2008 meeting of the Diocesan Consultors. This schedule is made according to the expectation that Bishop Olmsted will still be the Apostolic Administrator. Should a new Ordinary be named beforehand, he will be free to perhaps add to this schedule, however, it is unlikely that he would change it. Bishop Olmsted and the Diocesan Consultors decided that it was necessary to have the schedule in place.

There will only be one Confirmation with Bishop Olmsted scheduled in each deanery. All pastors/administrators are asked to see that all who are to be confirmed in any given deanery make every effort to participate in the scheduled liturgies rather than to be confirmed by a delegate at another time.

1). Thursday, April 16, 2009 6:30 pm. St. Michaels, St. Michaels
2). Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:30 pm. St. Teresa, Grants.
3). Thursday, May 7, 2009 6:30 pm. St. Mary of the Angels, Pinetop.
4). Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:30 pm. OLO Guadalupe, Holbrook
5). Saturday, May 30, 2009 10:00 am. Sacred Heart, Farmington.
6). Suturday, May 30, 2009 5:15 pm. Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup.

The Challenge of Faithful Citizenship

All are invited!

“The Challenge of Faithful Citizenship” 9 am – 2:30 pm, Sept. 27 at Sacred Heart Family Center. Presenters: Kathy Bowman, Navajo Nation Public Defender; Fr. Eduardo Espinoza, OFM, S. Francis, Gallup; S. Rose Marie Cecchini, Diocesan Office of Peace, Justice and Creation. Catechists can also pick up ideas to use in teaching presented by Barbara Kozeliski, and Mary Ann and Don Frank The day is based on the U.S. Bishops letter-“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” No cost. Potluck lunch at noon. Diocesan certificate of attendance will be given.

VIRTUS - PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN

VIRTUS – Protecting God’s Children Safe Environment Training will be offered on Saturday, August 9, 2008
From 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Family Center in Gallup. Corner of Woodrow and Green.

For Registration phone 505-722-6644