St. Joseph the Worker

Parishioners of SJW:

This Sunday, October 1^st, is RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY.  This is a special day within the month of October, the month of RESPECT LIFE, when the Catholic Church promotes LIFE.  There will be gatherings along streets and highways with people standing up for LIFE, holding signs promoting LIFE, and witnessing to the dignity of ALL HUMAN LIFE. 

In our time in which we live, there is, unfortunately, a severe and deep LACK of respecting life in all forms, and at times, in any form.  Our society has often become indifferent to the God-given gift of LIFE.  All life comes from our Creator.  But so many treat life as very expendable, unimportant, disposable.  I often ask myself:  “How did this happen?  How did we get there?”

We as Catholics in 2023 can help change society.  Yes, even little old us in Chatham, IL.  How?  By being those followers of Christ who stand up for LIFE in ALL FORMS at ALL TIMES.  Too often we may waiver or be “on the fence.”  When it comes to LIFE, we should be for it no matter what.  Too often people aren’t strong enough to say NO to a watering down of the value of EACH person around us---even when it may mean us going against what society deems acceptable.

Can the Lord count on us to be those defenders of ALL LIFE---in the womb, on death row, those living in poverty, people from another country, the disabled and elderly, victims of human trafficking?  May this month draw us closer to our Lord, the giver of all LIFE.  May these days of October deepen our awareness of the precious value of our own life and all life in our midst. 

Let us pray for all those who disrespect life, that their hearts be changed to promote LIFE, not take it or harm it. 

May Mary, our Mother, enkindle in us compassion for the presence of Jesus found in each person, as she protected and nurtured the LIFE in her womb, Jesus Christ.

Your Pastor, Father Joe

P.S.  A big THANK YOU to Margie & Dom Greco for being our Right to Life Coordinators for our parish.  I appreciate all they do to promote LIFE here and beyond.  Bravo, you two!