A Brief Passion Sunday Reflection

What are you passionate about?

Holy Week begins with the celebration of Passion Sunday, commonly known as Palm Sunday because it commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem (with the crowds laying palm branches along his path) shortly before his arrest, conviction, execution, and resurrection. Passion Sunday is a reminder of how Jesus was passionate about his ministry — he was willing to remain faithful to it even when the fickle tide of popular opinion turned against him.
       It's a reminder to us that, like Jesus, we must be steadfast and faithful in our own pursuit of social justice, even when it is unpopular. When we do, the joy of the Paschal Mystery will be ours.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 

Labor Unions & Social Justice

Public employee labor unions have recently been in front of the public eye, with the situation in Madison, Wisconsin playing out in the news, and the criticisms of teachers unions addressed in the movie, "Waiting for Superman." With that in mind, the US bishops recently talked about labor unions. In their statement, they reiterated the Church's long-standing support for the rights of workers to organize, which the Church has always taught to be a basic human right. 
       In addition, the bishops also pointed out that the current financial difficulties faced by governments across the country defy easy-fix solutions. Thus, they call on governments and workers to word together for the common good. They also called on the members of unions to make sacrifices in order to adjust to the new economic realities.
       For the complete story, go to www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1100999.htm. 
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 
 

Advocating for Social Justice

This is the time of year that Congress and many state legislatures are beginning their work for the year. As a result, many Catholic groups are now ramping up their lobbying efforts. 
       If you haven't already been asked, chances are that you will soon be asked to contact your members of Congress or state legislators about one or more pieces of legislation regarding our Catholic social teaching. It is best to pay most attention to such requests if they come from your local bishop or the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) — you can be assured that the issues they advocate are truly in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. 
       If you get requests from other organizations that claim to be Catholic, please check them out thoroughly. The USCCB has information on their web site (www.usccb.org) about all the positions they take on legislation, and most bishops do, as well. If in doubt, do not hesitate to call the office of your local bishop and ask about his position on particular issues. It will make you more informed as you contact your legislators.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 

Old Testament Sources for Social Justice Teaching

Sometimes, Catholics think that our social justice teaching began with Pope Leo XIII at the end of the nineteenth century. In fact, it can be traced back to the Old Testament prophets, as we hear in today's First Reading. Here it is again, in case you missed it:

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
     shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
     and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
     and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
     and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
     you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

If you remove from your midst
    oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
     and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
     and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

(Lectionary for Mass, no. 73A)

Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 

Evangelization & Social Justice

This past week, Pope Benedict stated that it is unacceptable to evangelize without addressing the urgent problems of poverty, injustice, and oppression, according to Catholic News Service. The report when on to say that to not be concerned with life's temporal problems would be to forget the Gospel teaching to love one's neighbor who is suffering and in need and "it would not be in harmony with Jesus' life," which combined proclaiming the Good News and curing people of disease and illness. It's a reminder to all of us that we should proclaim the gospel not just be telling people about our faith, but also by witnessing to the faith by our efforts to alleviate suffering and working for justice.
       The pope made these remarks in his message for World Mission Sunday 2011, to be celebrated on October 23, 2011. At this time, the text of his message is only available in Italian; however, the Catholic News Service story is available in English at http://bit.ly/fumZzR.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. 
 

Genetically Modified Plants & Social Justice

Recently, the head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace spoke out about the problems of genetically modified crops to produce food. While some may question why the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace would be concerned about that, the cardinal who heads that council comes from Africa, where the issue of food production is a major social justice issue.
       In his comments, he said that making growers reliant on proprietary, genetically modified seeds smacks of "the usual game of economic dependence," which in turn, "stands out like a new form of slavery." He said, "Why force an African farmer to buy seeds produced in other lands and by other means? I'm beginning to wonder if behind this there isn't the usual game of maintaining economic dependence at all costs." He went on to say that he is not opposed to scientific and technological progress, but it's important to evaluate whether there is a real need for genetically modified crops.
       His comments appeared in the January 5 issue of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano. A news story about his comments was carried by Catholic News Service and can be found at http://bit.ly/gJA9RZ.
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

The Shooting in Tucson & Social Justice Principles

The recent shooting of a number of people including a Congresswoman in Arizona has been widely discussed by those in and out of politics. The Catholic bishops of the US are among them. Here is an excerpt of their statement, as it relates to Catholic social justice teaching:

Violence of any kind must be condemned. When the target of a violent act is a public official, it shakes the confidence of the nation in its ability to protect its leaders and those who want to participate in the democratic process. As bishops we call once more for respect for the life and dignity of every person as we work together for the common good, seeking to address the various social and political issues that face us as a nation.

For the full text of the bishops' press release, go to http://bit.ly/fcZV3l.   
Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Sudan & Social Justice

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice. (Is 42:6a LFM)

Sudan has been the site of major atrocities for some time. The "victory of justice" to which we are called demands that we pay attention to what is going on there. To urge all US Catholics to pray and act on behalf of people in that country and region, the US bishops (www.usccb.org) and Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org) have put together the following announcement for this Sunday:

On January 9, 2011 the people of southern Sudan begin a week-long voting process to determine whether they will remain united with Sudan or become an independent country. For the past several months Catholics around the world have joined with the people of Sudan to pray for a peaceful resolution to this vote. The risks of a violent outcome are real. But there is also hope for peace. The Church in Sudan and Catholic Relief Services have been building a foundation for peace in Sudan in preparation for this vote. To learn more about how you can prayerfully act for peace in Sudan at this time, visit www.peaceinsudan.org for prayers, resources and opportunities for action.

Copyright © 2011, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Epiphany & Social Justice

In the liturgical feast of Epiphany, we celebrate the visit of the magi to the Holy Family in Bethlehem. When we look deeper, we see that this was a visit by those in the upper levels of society to a poor family, and they came to honor the least member of that poor family, the newborn child. Thus, a reminder that those with power are called to serve the least and lowest among us.
       Currently, 43.6 million Americans live below the poverty line. That is a significant percentage of the total US population, which means that nearly everyone will know of someone who is living in poverty.
       The bishops of the US have declared January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. Take a step in your own poverty awareness by visiting www.povertyusa.org. Then, consider taking one of the action steps proposed there. 

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Social Justice & Not Being Afraid

In the Gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the angel tells Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary into his home. How often are we afraid to do what is right? Especially when it comes to matters of social justice, we will often be shunned by others when we do what is right in God's eyes. However, God asks us to be just and do just works, and tells us that those who do so will have no reason to be afraid because their salvation is assured.
       As the New Year approaches, now might be a good time to make a resolution to pursue justice in the New Year, without counting the cost.
       Have a blessed Christmas!

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Our Lady of Guadalupe & Social Justice

"Do not be afraid, you have nothing to fear.
Am I not here, your compassionate mother?"
(message of Mary to St. Juan Diego)

The story of Mary's appearance to St. Juan Diego and the image she left on his cloak is well-known. What many people miss, however, is the message of compassion, human development, and social justice.
       The 1531 apparition came after decades of increasing oppression of the native peoples (primarily Aztecs) by the Spanish. Some of this was in the name of evangelization, but what the Spanish were doing was definitely not in keeping with the Gospel. On the other side, the human sacrifices of the Aztecs was an evil that was worth some attention by Christians. By the early 1500s, two cultures were in a virtual stand-off, with the Spanish winning the upper hand in a bloody defeat of the Aztec empire in 1521. With that, the Spanish set about forcing the Aztecs to either submit to them or die.
       Ten years later, Mary's apparition as a Mestizo woman changed things. Here is what the Encyclopedia of Catholicism says about the image of Mary on the cloak of St. Juan Diego:

"In her, the two anthropologies come together so as to produce something totally different than either of the two had been able to achieve independently: the change is from the absolute exclusion of the other as other for the sake of ethnic/religious unity, to the inclusion of otherness for the sake of new life. In the Mestizo Mother of the Americas, irreconcilable differences are not only reconciled, but a new 'beyond exclusion existence' is introduced, one that will destroy the very basis of cruel violence produced by any exclusion-based existence."

So the Virgin of Guadalupe is a symbol of love, compassion, and hospitality. These are matters of social justice, and so we can once again look to Mary to show us the justice that her Son came into the world to bring about.

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Christmas Gifts & Social Justice

(Originally posted December 2010; edited June 2014)

Most of us are launching into our Christmas gift shopping. As we have heard many times in recent years, there are ways to be socially responsible in our gift-giving. For example, we are urged not to buy things that will be quickly used up and then discarded, such as "gag gifts" or cheap trinkets. Instead, think about giving "experiences" (such as theatre or concert tickets) rather than merchandise. Such an approach will enhance the life of the recipient, support local artists, and be kinder to the environment.

       We can also donate to a charity in the name of the other person. Programs such as Catholic Relief Services (http://gifts.crs.org) and Heifer International (www.heifer.org) have "gift catalogs" where you can be such things as shares in promoting peace in southern Sudan or a flock of ducks for a needy family in China.

       In your gift-giving this Christmas, be creative -- and be just! 

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.

Prayers for Peace

The first reading for this first Sunday of Advent contains probably the most famous passage from the prophet Isaiah:

They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again. (Is 2:4NAB)

Peace continues to be a significant matter in today's world, and it increasingly involves religion. Many commentators decry "Islamic terror," and churches, synagogues, and mosques have been targets of attacks. 
       In recognition of all this, Pope Benedict has set the theme for the upcoming World Day of Peace (January 1, 2011) as "Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace." Parishes and families are encouraged to see what they can do to prepare for the World Day of Peace by checking out the resources on the US bishops' web site. The link is http://bit.ly/e8VKH2.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Thanksgiving Dinner & Social Justice

As we prepare for our feasts on Thanksgiving Day, it's worth a few minutes of our time to remember those who have little to eat. Hunger is still an issue, both in our neighborhood and around the world. 
       Tomorrow, November 22, the Bread for the World Institute (www.bread.org) is releasing its annual Hunger Report. The 2011 Hunger Report addresses the role of the United States in mobilizing global commitments to increase investments in agriculture, food security, and nutrition in developing countries. It will also include Christian Study Guide offering a variety of activities and Biblical themes to help users reflect on information included in the report. As part of your preparations for the day on which we recall what we are thankful for, please consider reading this report and taking some action to reduce hunger in the world.
       The report will be available on the internet at www.hungerreport.org and available in hard-copy from the same web site. 
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Saving Farmland & Social Justice

The American Farmland Trust has reported that more than one acre of farmland is being lost every minute in the United States, which adds up to nearly a million acres per year. This land is most often near urban areas and is being used for highways, shopping malls and housing developments. Most of this land is in Texas, California, Florida, Arizona and North Carolina. The American Farmland Trust explains that smart growth strategies, including more efficient development, can help slow the conversion and fragmentation of our farm and ranch land. Visit www.farmland.org and www.farmlandinfo.org for more information.
       Many thanks to JustFaith Ministries for this information!
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Human Trafficking & Social Justice

A recent press release (http://bit.ly/bjj8PN) from the US bishops is a reminder that chattle slavery has not been wiped off the face of the earth yet, but it does have a new name: human trafficking. Ten years ago, President Clinton signed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) to fight human trafficking operations and to rescue and assist victims of human trafficking in the United States
       Simultaneous with the press release, the Migration & Refugee Services of the US bishops released Reflections:  Health and Human Service’s Service Mechanism for Foreign National Survivors, which provided a reminder that many of the victims of human trafficking are children. There are many other important findings in Reflections; interested parties can read it at http://bit.ly/9SMVAR.
      Finally, the bishops point out that, like so many pieces of Federal legislation, TVPA has to be periodically re-authorized, and it is due for re-authorizing again in 2011. Please watch for opportunities to encourage the newly elected Congress and the President to pass this important piece of social justice legislation.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Consumer Protection & Social Justice

Authorities in Washington State recently investigated sickness of nine freshman of a state college who attended an off-campus party. It turns out that the cause of their sickness was the consumption of a significant amount of an alcoholic energy drink, which led to alcohol poisoning. Authorities are now considering a legal ban on such beverages.
       In other parts of the country, voters and legislators are considering whether to legalize marijuana, citing comparisons with Prohibition in the last century. Meanwhile, some politicians are objecting to the new federal regulations on mortgage lenders to prevent the sort of financial problems of 2008 from happening again.
       All these raise the question as to the appropriate level of government in regulating personal activities and businesses.
       Although buyers should beware at all times, it seems reasonable that government should step in anytime a person or business exploits our freedoms to cause harm — whether intended or not — to others. After all, governments have a moral obligation to look out for the common good, especially in situations where the powerful are exploiting the weak.
       Please remember that when you cast your votes in a few days.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Speaking Up & Social Justice

Generally speaking, most of us can easily identify when things are right or just. A trivial example would be that we know it is wrong when we see someone doing 100 mph on an urban expressway. Nonetheless, how many of us are comfortable enough in our judgment to do something about it? In other words, if we see someone doing 100 mph, would we call it in to the police?
     This is an important issue because it is just as much of a sin to not take action (when we are able) as it is to actively commit some form of evil. After all, in the Penitential Rite of the Mass we ask forgiveness for what we have done and for what we have failed to do. We may think of speaking up as being intrusive or being a "busy-body," but in fact, if something is truly wrong, the evil will persist — and perhaps even snowball — as long as it is allowed, and we become cooperators with evil if we sit back and do nothing.
       As President John F. Kennedy used to say, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

World Mission Sunday & Social Justice

Next Sunday is World Mission Sunday. Most parishes in most dioceses will be taking up a second collection for the Church's various missionary activities and organizations. The following quote from Pope Benedict in his Message for World Mission Sunday 2010 shows the connection between the Church's missionary efforts and social justice:

"[A]wareness of the call to proclaim the Gospel not only encourages every individual member of the faithful but also all diocesan and parish communities to integral renewal and ever greater openness to missionary cooperation among the Churches, to promote the proclamation of the Gospel in the heart of every person, of every people, culture, race and nationality in every place. This awareness is nourished through the work of … priests, consecrated people, catechists and lay missionaries in the constant endeavour to encourage ecclesial communion so that even the phenomenon of 'interculturality' may be integrated in a model of unity in which the Gospel is a leaven of freedom and progress, a source of brotherhood, humility and peace."

Thus, a donation to the next Sunday's second collection isn't strictly a contribution for charity; it is also a contribution to freedom, progress, and peace — in short, justice.  So please, prayerfully consider your contribution to this collection.
       For the complete text of the pope's message, go to http://bit.ly/ci1AYT. For an excellent video on the purpose of the collection, check out http://vimeo.com/14881162.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Reproductive Technologies & Social Justice

TThere was news this past week that the scientist who developed the technique of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) would receive a Nobel prize. However, IVF and some other forms of assisted fertility are contrary to Catholic teaching. This may puzzle some people who believe that Catholic teaching is to have as many children as possible.
       A more correct statement would be that Catholics are to accept children as God gives them. Furthermore, Pope Paul VI declared in Humanae vitae that Catholic couples have a duty to plan their family size. 
       Children are indeed a gift from God, as any couple who has had difficulty conceiving a child will tell you. A child comes into being because God wills it, not because a person or a couple wants it. There are many techniques for working through issues of infertility that are consistent with Catholic teaching, but IVF is not one of them because in IVF many viable lives are aborted as part of the process.
       A good resource that explains Catholic teaching on infertility treatment can be found at www.usccb.org/LifeGivingLove/.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Midterm Elections & Social Justice, part 2

For a couple of decades now, negative campaigning has been commonplace in the US. Negative campaigning is marked primarily by a candidate saying how they are not like their opponent. Sometimes it goes further by using innuendo, half-truths, out-of-context statements, and even name-calling in an attempt to turn the voters off to the other candidate. The sad truth is that this strategy has been statistically proven to work, despite the un-Christian character of the approach.
       Recently, as campaigns began in Australia, the main television network in Australia invited the two candidates for prime minister to be interviewed (separately) for the morning news program. The network did one thing to make the interviews compelling: they insisted that each candidate talk only about themselves and their political views. Furthermore, when either candidate began saying things like, "My opponent says…," the interviewer cut them off and did not permit them to proceed. From the standpoint of these American eyes and ears, it was remarkable.
       Perhaps the approach of the Australian television network is a good approach for us: look only at what each candidate says about herself or himself and cut them off (or tune them out) when they start the negative rhetoric. Once we know what a candidate stands for, then we can apply our well-formed consciences to make a good decision.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Midterm Elections & Social Justice, part 1

As we move into fall, we start seeing and hearing campaign rhetoric once again. This year is not a presidential election year, but it is a year in which all members of the US House and a third of the US Senators are elected. In addition, there may be other state and local races, referenda, and initiatives.
       The US bishops update their document Faithful Citizenship (www.faithfulcitizenship.org) only in presidential election years, but it is nonetheless applicable for the midterm elections, as well. In the campaign period leading up to every election, Catholics should review Faithful Citizenship, form their consciences on the issues, and then vote their consciences on election day. It is time-consuming and at times difficult, especially to figure out what a candidate's stand is (or isn't) on an issue. However, it is what we must do to truly live our faith in the public square.
       (Next week: Negative campaigning.)
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
  

Buying the Poor for a Pair of Sandals

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy
and destroy the poor of the land!…

Never will I forget a thing they have done! (Amos 8:4,7LFM)

In the first reading for this Sunday, the profit Amos decries the neglect of the poor and lists some of the abuses, such as adjusting weights and measures to cheat the poor out of what is justly theirs. 
       The line that should catch our attention in these days refers to "buy[ing]… the poor for a pair of sandals." How often do we prefer shoes that were made in foreign sweatshops just because we can get away with paying a lower price for them? When we defend doing so by claiming that the people who work in those sweatshops are at least doing better than their neighbors, isn't that like buying the poor for a pair of sandals?
       Furthermore, wouldn't our country be better off economically if we would search out domestically produced goods, made by factories that pay just wages?
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

Building Hope through Social Justice

This weekend in the Archdiocese of Seattle, parishes will be taking up the annual Build Hope collection. This special collection supports the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and the Catholic Communication Campaign. CCHD is the organization nationally that the US bishops has established to fund and promote social justice activities in the US. CCHD fight poverty and injustice by investing in organization that involve the poor in the development and execution of their programs. This principle was reaffirmed in Pope Benedict's encyclical Caritas in veritate as the only way to truly solve problems and bring about the development of peoples.
       Please see the CCHD web site (www.usccb.org/cchd/) for more information, and please be generous when the baskets are passed this weekend.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

The Bishops' Annual Labor Day Statement

Each year for Labor Day, the US bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development issues a Labor Day Statement. At over four pages in length, this year's statement is the longest of recent years. Yet, this is for good reason, as the opening paragraphs of the statement point out. With the West Virginia mine disaster, the explosion of the oil rig in the Gulf, and high unemployment, this past year has been marked by some significant events and conditions. As the bishops review the history of papal writings on the matter — from Pope Leo XIII's Rerum novarum to Pope Benedict XVI's Caritas in veritate — the bishops conclude that the protecting the life and dignity of each worker should be at the heart of a new "social contract" for the growth and governance of our economy.
       This year's statement (and other statements by the bishops on labor) can be found at http://bit.ly/9vcbkG.
       Happy Labor Day!
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

Back to School Shopping & Social Justice

This is the time of year when students are preparing to head back to school. In recent years, this has also been an occasion for families to go on shopping sprees, filling their homes with new clothes and gadgets. It is important to realize, though, that the consumer mentality in this country of buying things because they are cheap or because advertising has created the desire for them has resulted in poverty and environmental problems in other countries.
       So, this year, as you do your back-to-school shopping ask yourself a few questions: 

• Do I really need this item, or is someone else (like a TV ad) telling me that I want it?
• If I need the item, do I really need a new one, or will a used one serve my needs just fine? Have I looked in thrift and second-hand stores lately?
• What do I know about the people who made the item? Was it most likely produced in a facility with fair labor practices, or was it most likely made with sweatshop labor? 

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)