Our Lady of the Snows R.C. Church 258-15 80th Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11004 718-347-6070 – Fax 718-343-3221

E-mail: church@olsnows.org Parish Web-site: www.olsnows.org

Served by the Pastoral Staff Pastor: Rev. Kevin F. McBrien

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Raynald B. Nacino Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jeremy Canna

Deacons: Henry J. Smith, Matthew Oellinger, Steven Borheck, John Warren

Pastoral Associate: Mrs. Regina Moreno Academy Principal: Mr. Joseph Venticinque

Human Concerns Director: Ms. Doreen Walz Director of Music: Mrs. Lisa Kelly

Parish Office: 259th Street (Between Union Tpke. & 80th Ave.) (718) 347-6070 Administrative Assistant: Melissa Vollaro Secretary: Patricia Nicolosi Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM

Parish Office closed weekdays from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM For emergencies call (718) 347-6070

Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy (718) 343-1346 Secretary: Mrs. Jill Buttry School Website: www.olscafp.org

Faith Formation Office (718) 347-3511 Secretary: Esther Liberto

Catholic Youth Group Youth Minister: Mrs. Karen DeRose Youth Website: www.OLSAMCYG.Weebly.com

Human Concerns Center (718) 347-6229 Secretary: Virgilia Rillera

Masses Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM Weekdays 9:00 AM and 12:00 Noon Saturday Mornings 9:00 AM Civil Holidays 9:00 AM Holy Days of Obligation See Parish Bulletin

Latin Rite Catholic Mass in Malayalam: Second Saturday of the month at 6:30PM

Miraculous Medal Novena: Following all Masses on Monday

Eucharistic Adoration: First Friday of the month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Church. Holy Hour from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Also, every Thursday from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM in the Church.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays at 1PM and on request. Baptism: The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the third and fourth Sundays of each month at 2:00 PM. Please call the Parish Office to make an appointment. A baptism preparation class will be held on the second Wednesday of each month in the Church. Attendance at this class is required by the parents of the child to be baptized. Marriage: Please call the Parish Office at least 6 months in advance of the marriage date to make an appointment with a priest to discuss your marriage plans. For Pre-Cana information – www.pre-cana.org Anointing of the Sick: Please call (718) 347-6070 for arrangements.

Catholic Cemeteries: For information and available options please call (718) 894-4888

Parish Mission Statement

We the people of Our Lady of the Snows

Parish are a Catholic Christian community

who reach out to one another and to all

people by teaching and giving witness to

the Good News of Jesus. Our Mission is to

invite all to hear, share, and live the Word

of God. We try to inspire an awareness of

our faith and to encourage others to renew

and energize that faith in Jesus and the

Church. We want to welcome the entire

community to enjoy the warmth and love of

our parish by participating fully in the

sacramental life of the Church.

IN YOUR CHARITY PLEASE PRAY FOR The sick,

homebound and hospitalized . . .

Alicia Arneman, Eva Bedell, Fred Bedell, Ligia Calero, Kiara Colon, Pasquale Cortina, Rose DeMarco, Edward Diosomito, Diana Dunn, Eric Ern, Brianna Goehringer, Felicia Goehringer, Theresa Grant, Edward J. Holahan, Anthony Irace, Pat Kass,

Carlito Lalicon, Barbara Lazaro, Marie Leviness, Peter London, Sue McMahon, Maureen Michel, Zoraida Nieves, Elizabeth Olwell, Victor Rivera, Angelina Rocha, Marybeth Marini Ruff, Vita Sacino, Gene Schultz, Kathy Turso, John Varrone, Laura Velez, Robert Webb

All Our Faithful Departed Loved Ones . . .

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, October 23, 2016 8:00AM People of the Parish 9:30AM Joseph Demaria Installation of New Liturgical Ministers 11:00AM Rosary Society Commissioning Collective Mass Offered For:

Fredesvinda Zayas, Rosamma & Joseph Panjikaran, Felisha N. Simmons-Jackson, Joseph Olwell,

Johannah Sciarratta, Maura O’Leary, Sara Guarino, Tina Torres, Rose Maggio, Gerardo DiGregorio

12:30PM Philip Power 2:00PM Baptisms 5:30PM Elesamma Lukose Puthuckary

Monday, October 24, 2016 9:00AM Franco Rottura 12Noon James Congema

Tuesday, October 25, 2016 9:00AM Theresa & Terrance Scarano 12Noon Antoinett Reisdorf

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 9:00AM Leonardo Mendoza-Birthday Remembrance 12Noon Thomas McElhinney

Thursday, October 27, 2016 9:00AM Judith Vollaro-Birthday Remembrance 12Noon Deceased Members of the Kuziamplavil & Nettikadan Families 12:30PM Adoration until 4 PM

Friday, October 28, 2016 9:00AM Regina Coutinho Monteiro 12Noon Francis & Terrance Owens

Saturday, October 29, 2016 9:00AM Mila Beronio 5:00PM Purgatorial Mass

Sunday, October 30, 2016 8:00AM Frank Musto-50th Anniversary 9:30AM People of the Parish New Altar Server Installation 11:00AM Collective Mass Offered For:

Jose Yap, Frank Bruccoleri, Tina Torres, Rosamma & Joseph Panjikaran, Marie Donach,

James Viola, Coral Heiseler-Living, Carlos Gilbert, Peter Coniglio, Mr. & Mrs. George Harrison, Sr.

12:30PM Michael Rosa 5:30PM Thresiyamma Thomas

THIS WEEK AT OLS

Sunday, October 23 10:30AM ........ Faith Formation Classes ............................ GR/School 10:30AM ........ Grade 4 Confessions ............................................. PO 12:00PM ........ Rosary Society Commissioning Reception ............ GR 2:00PM .......... Fil-Am Committee ................................................... WR Monday, October 24 10:00AM ........ Arts & Crafts ........................................................... GR 4:00PM .......... New Altar Server Training ................................ Church Tuesday, October 25 7:40AM .......... Children’s Choir ................................................ Church 7:00PM .......... Academy Board Meeting ...................................School 7:30PM .......... Special Events Committee ................................... PMR Wednesday, October 26 10:00AM ........ Golden Age Friendship Club .................................. GR 4:00PM .......... New Altar Serving Training .............................. Church 7:30PM .......... R.C.I.A. ..............................................................School 7:30PM .......... Lector & EMHC Meeting .................................. Church Thursday, October 27 6:45PM .......... Handbell Choir .................................................. Church 8:00PM .......... Adult Choir ........................................................ Church Saturday, October 29 8:00AM .......... PPC Morning of Recollection ............................... PMR 1:00PM .......... Couples for Christ ................................................... WR 2:00PM .......... Himig At Alay Choir ................................................ GR

OLS Sunday Collection Report Sunday, October 16th……………….$12,682,00 World Mission Sunday…………...…..$1,251.00

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” Thanks for the special ways you share your gifts with our

parish so that we may follow Jesus’ command.

THE SANCTUARY LAMP for the week was donated in Loving Memory of

JUDITH VOLLARO BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

requested by The Vollaro Family

INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING of a new lector, Clare Gluck, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Natasha Cox, takes place at the 9:30AM Mass today. God’s blessings to them in their new liturgical ministries.

BLESSING OF VETERANS. In commemoration of Veterans’ Day a salute and blessing of all veterans will take place at the 9:30AM Mass on Sunday, November 6th. Men and women who have generously served us in the armed forces will be recognized for their bravery and valor. There will be a special blessing and a token of appreciation will be distributed to all veterans. Please invite family members, friends, neighbors and acquaintances who are veterans to this time of prayer and gratitude.

NEW PARISHIONERS MASS takes place on Sunday, November 6th at 11:00AM in the church. We welcome those who are new in the parish and thank them for their presence and prayer among us. The Evangelization Committee is happy to coordinate this special occasion in the parish.

Dear Parishioners, Each year on the second Tuesday in November we are fortunate in our country to elect public officials who are charged with the responsibility to work for the common good in our

cities, states, country and around the world. Once again we have the civic duty to elect a new President of the United States on November 8th. As citizens of this great nation and as faithful members of the Body of Christ, called the Church, we pray our vote and those elected to public office mirror the gospel values we live day by day. As Catholic citizens we wish to be well informed about who and what we are voting for on Election Day. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a two part newsletter entitled, “The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” which can be very helpful to read before Election Day. Part One in printed in today’s bulletin and Part Two will be shared next Sunday. I encourage everyone in the parish to take time to read and reflect on what the Church offers to us before we cast out vote. Feel free to share the newsletter with your family members, friends and others, so together we can be well informed when we perform our civic duty next month.

MASS IN MALAYALAM is celebrated in the church on Sunday evenings at 5:30PM. Those interested in attending the Malayalam Mass are encouraged to be present.

GOLDEN AGE FRIENDSHIP CLUB’S next meeting will be this Wednesday, October 26th, in the Green Room. New members are welcome.

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS. As part of the Church’s call to evangelization we invite you to take an extra bulletin to a friend or neighbor in the community who may inquire about Our Lady of the Snows Parish. Also, check in on our elderly and those affected by the weather by making a phone call or visit.

BULLETIN ADVERTISERS. We are grateful to those merchants and businesses that support our weekly bulletin by placing an ad. We ask all parishioners to patronize these merchants and anyone is welcomed to take an advertisement by calling the bulletin company at (631) 249-4994.

ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE, sponsored by the Filipino-American Community, takes place next Sunday, October 30th from 9AM to 3PM in the School Basement White Room. After all the Masses today there will be an opportunity to sign up in ad-vance to donate blood. Do not pass up the opportunity to give the Gift of Life to someone next Sunday.

ALL SOULS MASS. On Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30PM in the church we will pray for the souls of those who were buried from our church in the last year. A special invitation has been mailed to the next of kin of parishioners who died since last year. All family members, friends and neighbors of those we loved are welcomed to this special Mass as part of our All Souls remembrance in November.

WORLD PRIEST DAY(AND DEACON) is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of October. The Special Events Committee invites everyone in the parish to celebrate the gift of the ordained ministry next Sunday, October 30th when we will show our appreciation for Father McBrien, Father Jeremy, Father Ray, Father Awoke along with Deacon Hank Smith, Deacon Matt Oellinger, Deacon Steve Borheck and Deacon John Warren. At each of the Masses a special prayer will be extended over the celebrants. Also, everyone is invited to take home a spiritual bouquet card from the Gathering Space, fill in the priest and deacon’s name and return it to the Parish Office before Sunday. On World Priest Day we will present the basket of prayers to our parish priests and deacons!

WARM WELCOME. If you are new to our parish please feel free to introduce yourself to one of the priests or deacons after Mass today. We kindly invite you to come to the Parish Office and register as a member of Our Lady of the Snows. Registration is important for all parishioners because then we are able to issue sponsor letters for Baptism, Confirmation and Matrimony. We can also give end of the year statements of your contributions to the church through regular use of the envelopes. We can also help you with letters of recommendation for employment, school, etc. Your registration will also help us with our parish census in knowing the number of Catholics in Floral Park and surrounding areas. Thank you and welcome!

HUMAN CONCERNS CENTER TRIP. The next trip to Yonkers, Empire City Casino will be on Mon., October 31, 2016. Cost $25. The bus will leave promptly at 9:00AM from Our Lady of the Snows. Please make payments at least 10 days before the trip. For more info or to reserve a seat call Sophia at (718) 347-0512.

2016 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL continues to succeed at Our Lady of the Snows. Thank you to all who already have made a pledge to this year’s diocesan Appeal. As you can see in the box below great strides have already been made to this year’s Appeal. Everyone is encouraged to take part in this year’s Appeal by making a generous donation so that we can reach our assigned goal of $105,179.00. Feel free to view this Year’s Appeal video at www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org. Extra pledge envelopes are in the church today and at the Parish Office. You may return your pledge commitment in the collection and we will deliver it directly to the Appeal Office. Thank you very much for heeding the words: “Share the Joy of the Gospel.”

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEALAL

Here is the latest report as of October 17, 2016:

Amount of Goal: $105,179.00

Amount Pledged: $ 93,662.00

Amount Received: $ 85,085.00

Number of Donors: 440

SAVE THE DATES

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th NIGHT OF MERCY 7:30PM - CHURCH

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21st

THANKSGIVING INTERFAITH SERVICE 7:30PM - OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS CHURCH

SCRIP CARD PROGRAM. For every gift card purchased at face value the retailer will donate a percentage to our school. Gift cards are available for supermarkets, department stores, office supplies and much more. Gift cards can be ordered for different occasions including Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. So before you shop or need a gift idea consider a gift card and help our school earn money while you shop! Scrip card flyers are located in the Gathering Space.

New Hymnals We invite you to memorialize a hymnal for the year 2017 for a very modest donation of only $5.00 per hymnal.

Please fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office. The name of the person, in whose memory the new hymnal is donated, will be placed in the hymnals as we have done with this year’s hymnals.

The hymnals can be renewed each year. Thanks for your help.

New Hymnal Request for the Year 2017

For Someone Who is Living For Someone Who is Deceased Name Only

“In Thanksgiving : ______________________ “In Loving Memory of: __________________ Name: ___________

_____________________________________” _____________________________________” _________________

Hymnal is “Requested by: _______________ Hymnal is “Requested by: _______________ __________________

_____________________________________” _____________________________________” Contact Number:

Contact Phone Number: ________________ Contact Phone Number: ________________ __________________

QUEENS DEANERY #5. Join Queens Deanery #5 on Facebook where you will learn about the upcoming spiritual events in the parishes in the Deanery. In addition, the weekly bulletins, contact information, Mass schedules and much more about the ten parishes in the Deanery are conveniently available! Visit Queens Deanery #5 on Facebook and “like” the page to receive updates or visit us on the web at www.queensdeanery5.org.

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY of St. Gregory the Great and Our Lady of the Snows is sponsoring a six week Bereavement Support Group for adults who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The sessions will be held on Mondays, November 7th to December 12th from 4PM to 5:30PM at St. Gregory's Rectory Office Basement Meeting Room, 242-20 88th Ave., Bellerose. For more information or to register please call Cathy (516) 352-4202 or Joan (718) 347-4470.

MORNING OF RECOLLECTION for members of the Parish Pastoral Council takes place this Saturday, October 29th beginning with Mass at 9:00AM in the church. Following Mass Sister Karen Cavanagh, CSJ will conduct the morning session in the Parish Meeting Room.

ROSARY SOCIETY’S Solemn Reception of New Rosarians and Renewal of Dedication of Present Rosarians takes place today at the 11:00AM Mass. During this Month of the Holy Rosary we recognize and thank the Rosarians in the parish for their devotion to our Blessed Mother throughout the year.

PENNIES FOR LIFE. The Respect Life Committee thanks everyone for taking home a canister to collect pennies for babies. You may return your filled canister to the Parish Office anytime and for those who did not receive one please call the Parish Office with you name and phone number.

CHURCH ETIQUETTE. A reminder to everyone to please turn off cell phones before entering the church. We ask that before and after Mass greetings to each other should be extended in the Gathering Space as some parishioners may be praying privately in the church. Lastly, please be mindful of wheel chair seating in the church for the disabled and their caregivers. Thank you for your consideration.

PARISH/SCHOOL WEBSITES. Visit www.olsnows.org and see an abundance of information about our parish including its history, parish ministries and special events, the weekly bulletin and much more. Visit www.olscafp.org and find out important information about exciting upcoming academy events. Happy surfing!

CHILDRENS’ ENVELOPES are available in the Gathering Space today for families who wish to help their children in the practice of good stewardship and support of God’s Church. Thank you to everyone who teaches our young people about God’s bounty and how to make a return to the Lord for His goodness.

CYO SPORTS. Our Lady of the Snows has an extensive and worthwhile CYO sports program including soccer, track, basketball, volleyball, swimming and cheerleading. Parishioners are welcomed to register their children in CYO sports at OLS by logging onto www.olscyo.org. Registration is on-going.

COMMUNITY NEWS

PACKING EVENT sponsored by Outreach and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose takes place this Sat., Oct. 29th at the Plattsduetsch Park Restaurant, Franklin Square at 9AM. Help to assemble meal packages for food pantries in Queens & Nassau County. Call 718-347-0278.

ROOM AT THE TABLE: An LGBT Retreat at Bishop Malloy Retreat House, Jamaica Estates next weekend, Oct. 28th – 30th. Suggested donation: $210. Visit www.bishopmolloy.org to register.

WINE TASTING TOUR on Long Island sponsored by New Hyde Park Knights of Columbus on Sat., Nov. 5th, $110.00 per person. Call Joe Renta at 516-582-1088. Light breakfast and gourmet boxed lunch included.

HOLIDAY CRAFT SALE at Queens of Peace Residence, Queens Village on Sat., Nov. 5th from 9AM to 3PM. Call 718-464-1800.

ALL SOULS ENVELOPES are available in the church today. In November we remember and pray for the souls of the dead especially our family members, friends and fellow parishioners. Feel free to take an envelope and fill in the names of your beloved dead whom you wish to have prayers offered during November. Return the envelope with your offering in the collection basket or at the Parish Office.

STOP AND SHOP A+ SCHOOL REWARDS PROGRAM. Please help Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy each time you use your store rewards card at Stop and Shop. If you registered in the past your registration is still valid. For new registrants please log onto www.stopandshop.com/aplus and fill out a registration form with your reward card number. Thank you for your support of our parish academy.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. A new alumni sheet is in the Gathering Space for alumni to fill out and share with classmates. When visiting family and friends and recalling memories of the past, we encourage everyone to submit any new information and updates on themselves and fellow classmates. Please return your completed sheet to the School or Parish Offices or you may log onto www.olscafp.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS MEETING will take place this Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30PM in the Parish Meeting Room. All members are encouraged to attend and make plans for exciting special events for the parish in the months ahead!

SPECIAL MEETING of all Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion takes place in the church this Wednesday, October 26th at 7:30PM. All are expected to attend. If you have any questions please call Regina Moreno at the faith Formation Office (718) 347-3511.

ALTAR SERVER INSTALLATION takes place next Sunday, October 30th at the 9:30AM Mass. Congratulations to the following boys and girls in the parish who have been properly trained and seek to gladly serve the Lord at the altar:

Andrew DeRose Alicia Devasia

Gabrielle Goberdhan Christopher John

Jeffin Justin Jerry Justin

Francis Mareendran Malbina Mareendran

Melina Ogando Lola Olawaiye

Erin Silva Keanu Villagonzalo

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY. All are invited to an extraordinary night of Sacred Art and Music on Wed., November 9th at 7:30PM in the church. We will welcome Dr. Francis Greene, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at St. Francis College, Brooklyn and the combined choirs of OLS Adult Choir, Himig At Alay and Voices of Friendship. Together they will highlight Rembrandt’s oil painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son” as a central image used during the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. Invite family and friends, neighbors and guests to this enlightening night of art and music!

GENERATIONS OF FAITH CAMPAIGN. Copies of the campaign newsletter are on the tables in the Gathering Space announcing the great progress everyone has made so far in keeping their pledges and how fortunate we are to have completed the first phase of our parish projects with air-conditioning in the Green Room and White Room. Thank you! We ask everyone’s continued support in making their payments and for those who are new in the parish and/or those who could not help in the past please take a pledge card today in the Gathering Space and join us in making our hopes a reality at Our Lady of the Snows!

Our Lady of the Snows R.C. Church - 258-15 80th Ave. - Floral Park, NY 11004

Defensive Driving Course With Deacon Steve Borheck

Saturday, November 5th, 2016 9:00a.m. to 3:30p.m. Parish Meeting Room

Reduce up to 4 points from your New York State DMV driving record!

Reduce your auto insurance premium by 10% for 3 years!

Registration: $45.00. Advance registration is required. For more information and to register, call Father Jeremy at (718) 347-6070.

Part I of II: Our Call as Catholic CitizensThis brief document is Part I of a summary of the US bishops’ reflection, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which complements the

teaching of bishops in dioceses and states.

H

The Challenge of Forming Consciencesfor Faithful Citizenship

“If indeed ‘the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics,’ the Church ‘cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.’ ”1 So writes Pope Francis, quoting Pope Benedict XVI.

Our nation faces many political challenges that demand well-in-formed moral choices:

• The ongoing destruction of a million innocent human lives each year by abortion

• Physician-assisted suicide • The redefinition of marriage • The excessive consumption of material goods and the destruction

of natural resources, harming the environment as well as the poor• Deadly attacks on Christians and other religious minorities

throughout the world• Efforts to narrow the definition and exercise of religious freedom • Economic policies that fail to prioritize the needs of poor people,

at home and abroad• A broken immigration system and a worldwide refugee crisis• Wars, terror, and violence that threaten every aspect of human

life and dignity.2

As Catholics, we are part of a community with profound teachings that help us consider challenges in public life, contribute to greater justice and peace for all people, and evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in light of the Gospel in order to help build a better world.

Why Does the Church Teach About Issues Affecting Public Policy?The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, a part of the mission given to us by Jesus Christ. As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ’s com-mandment to “love one another” (Jn 13:34).

The US Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to proclaim and live out their faith without gov-ernment interference, favoritism, or discrimination. Civil law should recognize and protect the Church’s right and responsibility to partici-pate in society without abandoning its moral convictions. Our nation’s tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions into public life. The Catholic community brings to political dialogue a consistent moral framework and broad experience serving those in need.

Who in the Church Should Participate in Political Life?In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attach-ment to any political party or interest group. In today’s environment, Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised, sensing that no party and few candidates fully share our comprehensive commitment to

human life and dignity. This should not discourage us. On the con-trary, it makes our obligation to act all the more urgent. Catholic lay women and men need to act on the Church’s moral principles and become more involved: running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials. Even those who cannot vote should raise their voices on matters that affect their lives and the common good. Faithful citizenship is an ongoing respon-sibility, not just an election year duty.

How Can Catholic Social Teaching Help Guide Our Participation?In the words of Pope Francis, “progress in building a people in peace, justice and fraternity depends on four principles related to constant tensions present in every social reality. These derive from the pillars of the Church’s social doctrine, which serve as ‘primary and funda-mental parameters of reference for interpreting and evaluating social phenomena.’”3 The four principles include the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity. Taken together, these principles provide a moral framework for Catholic engagement in advancing what we have called a “consistent ethic of life” (Living the Gospel of Life, no. 22).

Rightly understood, this ethic does not treat all issues as morally equivalent; nor does it reduce Catholic teaching to one or two issues. It anchors the Catholic commitment to defend human life and other human rights, from conception until natural death, in the fundamen-tal obligation to respect the dignity of every human being as a child of God.

Catholic voters should use Catholic teaching to examine candi-dates’ positions on issues and should consider candidates’ integrity, philosophy, and performance. It is important for all citizens “to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affil-iation or mere self-interest” (USCCB, Living the Gospel of Life, no. 33). The following summary of the four principles highlights several themes of Catholic social teaching for special consideration: these include human rights and responsibilities, respect for work and the rights of workers, care for God’s creation, and the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.4

The Dignity of the Human PersonHuman life is sacred because every person is created in the image and likeness of God. There is a rich and multifaceted Catholic teaching on human dignity summarized in the Compendium of the Social Doc-trine of the Church. Every human being “must always be understood in his unrepeatable and inviolable uniqueness . . . This entails above all the requirement not only of simple respect on the part of others, espe-cially political and social institutions and their leaders with regard to every man and woman on the earth, but even more, this means that the primary commitment of each person towards others, and particularly of these same institutions, must be for the promotion and integral development of the person” (no. 131). The Compendium con-tinues, “It is necessary to ‘consider every neighbor without exception

as another self, taking into account first of all his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity’ (Gaudium et Spes, no. 27). Every political, economic, social, scientific and cultural program must be inspired by the awareness of the primacy of each human being over society.”5

SubsidiarityIt is impossible to promote the dignity of the person without showing concern for the family, groups, associations, and local realities—in short, for those economic, social, cultural, recreational, professional, and political communities to which people spontaneously give life and which make it possible for them to achieve effective social growth.6 The family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, is the fundamental unit of society. This sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children must not be redefined, undermined, or neglected. Supporting families should be a priority for economic and social policies. How our society is organized—in economics and pol-itics, in law and public policy—affects the well-being of individuals and of society. Every person and association has a right and a duty to participate in shaping society to promote the well-being of individuals and the common good.

The principle of subsidiarity reminds us that larger institutions in society should not overwhelm or interfere with smaller or local institutions; yet larger institutions have essential responsibilities when the more local institutions cannot adequately protect human dignity, meet human needs, and advance the common good.7

The Common GoodThe common good is comprised of “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily.”8

Human dignity is respected and the common good is fostered only if human rights are protected and basic responsibilities are met. Every human being has a right to life, a right to religious freedom, and a right to have access to those things required for human decency—food and shelter, education and employment, health care and hous-ing. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to ourselves, to our families, and to the larger society.

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. An economic system must serve the dignity of the human person and the common good by respecting the dignity of work and protecting the rights of workers. Economic justice calls for decent work at fair, living wages, a broad and fair legalization program with a path to cit-izenship for immigrant workers, and the opportunity for all people to work together for the common good through their work, ownership, enterprise, investment, participation in unions, and other forms of economic activity. Workers also have responsibilities—to provide a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, to treat employers and coworkers with respect, and to carry out their work in ways that contribute to the common good. Workers, employers, and unions should not only advance their own interests but also work together to advance eco-nomic justice and the well-being of all.

We have a duty to care for God’s creation, which Pope Francis refers to in Laudato Si’ as “our common home.”9 We all are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for vulnerable human beings now and in the future. Pope Francis, consistent with St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (World Day of Peace Message, 1990 and 2010), has lifted up pollution, climate change, lack of access to clean water, and the loss of biodiversity as particular challenges. Pope Francis speaks of an “ecological debt” (no. 51) owed by wealthier nations to devel-oping nations. And he calls all of us to an “ecological conversion” (no. 219), by which “the effects of [our] encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in [our] relationship with the world around [us]”.10 Indeed, this concern with “natural ecology” is an indispensable part of

the broader “human ecology,” which encompasses not only material but moral and social dimensions as well.

Solidarity Solidarity is “a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to . . . the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” It is found in “a commitment to the good of one’s neighbor with the readiness, in the Gospel sense, to ‘lose oneself’ for the sake of the other instead of exploiting him, and to ‘serve him’ instead of oppressing him for one’s own advantage.”11

We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Our Catholic commitment to solidarity requires that we pursue justice, eliminate racism, end human trafficking, protect human rights, seek peace, and avoid the use of force except as a necessary last resort.

In a special way, our solidarity must find expression in the prefer-ential option for the poor and vulnerable. A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us—the unborn, those dealing with disabilities or terminal illness, the poor, and the marginalized.

Conclusion In light of Catholic teaching, the bishops vigorously repeat their call for a renewed politics that focuses on moral principles, the promotion of human life and dignity, and the pursuit of the common good. Polit-ical participation in this spirit reflects not only the social teaching of our Church but the best traditions of our nation.

Notes1 Evangelii Gaudium, no. 183.2 This specific list of issues is taken from the Introductory Note to Forming

Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, 2015. For a fuller consideration, see the second document in this series, “The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship; Part II: Making Moral Choices and Applying Our Principles” (2016), and the full statement of the bishops’ Forming Con-sciences for Faithful Citizenship, 2015.

3 Evangelii Gaudium, no. 221.4 These principles are drawn from a rich tradition more fully described in the

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Cath-olic Bishops, 2005), no. 160. For more information on these principles, see Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, 2016, nos. 40ff.

5 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 132. This summary represents only a few highlights from the fuller treatment of the human person in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. For the fuller treatment, see especially nos. 124-159 where many other important aspects of human dignity are treated.

6 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 185.7 Centesimus Annus, no. 48; Dignitatis Humanae, nos. 4-6.8 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 1649 Laudato Si’, no. 77.10 Laudato Si’, nos. 219 and 217.11 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 193. (See Mt 10:40-42,

20:25; Mk 10:42-45; Lk 22:25-27)

Copyright © 2016, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC. All rights reserved.

Quotes from the Compendium on the Social Doctrine of the Church, copyright © 2004, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City State. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Quotes from Evangelii Gaudium and Laudato Si’, copyright © 2013, 2015, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City State. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-60137-545-2Publication No. 7-545