My Dear Parish Family:

Each time I write this column I try never to be anything other than encouraging by sharing special events of the parish or to give you some Catholic teaching. I do not believe that I have ever been “political” in this column not even during election time. We all have our political ideas and I do not believe that the Pastor should try to influence the parishioners with his own ideas. However, I do be- lieve that I need to always teach what the Catholic Church teaches and to help my parishioners to under- stand what the Catholic Church teaches and why she teaches what she does. Therefore.....

The Governor of the State of New York is using poli- tics to misrepresent the truth he claims he follows as a Catholic. He is not following the Catholic teachings when he does not respect the life of every human being from conception until natural death! Obviously, and needless to say, I have never had a conversation with the Gover- nor of New York and so I have no idea what his relation- ship is with Almighty God. He may very well have a strong prayer life and trusts in God’s everlasting mercy. In fact, I hope he does! However, when he speaks out about the women’s right to do whatever she wishes with her body he is clearly not understanding the truth that we all have been created in the image and likeness of God; and that one day all of us will return to the Father to answer for what we did here on earth. Then God, the Creator, will join our souls to our bodies to live in Heaven with HIM or to the eternal death called Hell, Again, let me be clear on two important points:

• I am not saying the Governor of New York is not going to Heaven, but I am saying,

• He is wrong to speak out for political purposes that it is alright to kill another human being especially the children in the womb of their mothers.

  He is wrong to threaten other lawmakers, who stand for the sacredness of human life at all stages, with being voted out of office. The Governor of New York will never know about this column and that is fine because I am writing it for you, the parishioners of St. Benedict’s, not to give you political rhetoric, but instead to help remind us all of the precious gift all human life is in the heart of Almighty God,

  Therefore, we must remember that all life is precious and that God is the giver of all life. Let us continue to pray for all elected leaders and for the future of our beloved country.

  God bless America and pray for Life! Until next week, St. Benedict and Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God pray for us!

                                                                   Fr. Stephen P. Norton