Excellent, Rebecca. I needed this. It’s funny that the further out we are from the election, the more distressed I find myself getting. Not overly-worked up or anything, but a little more worked up than last week. Thanks for this reminder and encouragement.

I was stunned. After Mass I was speaking with the person who sits beside me every week. To my disbelief she had voted and had no idea what the person she voted for stood for. I asked her if she had received the mailing from the Diocese? she said no...what was it about. Abortion, embryonic stem cell research etc. Obama is pro all that. This person and I’m guessing many other seniors vote strictly party line with no regard for policy. Unfortunately I was too late to change her mind. My thought is that perhaps our priests could do more from the pulpit...without endangering their tax status. These seniors and others need to be informed. Needless to say I was horrified to learn of her choice, mind you she didn’t come right out and say she voted Obama but I got the inference from the way she said I didn’t know about his pro-abortion policies...she was totally clueless and not bothered it seemed to me. All this while sitting before the Tabernacle of the Lord. My suggestion is if you don’t know about the person and his or her qualifications...don’t vote!

Yes, thanks a million for this.

Excellent post. I’ve seen some pretty downtrodden posts out there since the election, and it’s easy to be consumed with sadness for the unborn and concern for the future of our nation. While President-elect Obama does not stand for “change I can believe in,” that doesn’t mean I can give in to despondency. I do believe in the hope for positive change, so let’s encourage one another, not throw ourselves a pity party. Onward Christian soldiers!  We need to fight for the unborn and for this great country more than ever now.

As a side note, I agree 100 percent with what Mary Lou said. I understand the Church is not a political institution, but upholding the dignity of life is not political. If a candidate does not support pro-life causes, Catholics cannot endorse him or her. Although a single issue can’t make us vote for a candidate, life issues can and should make us eliminate someone from our personal ballot.

Blessings,
Kate

Thank you so much for this. I’ve been eagerly searching for hope of the non-Obama variety.

I have a couple of post on my blog about hope of the non-Obama variety, as well as what we can do to advance the culture of life, even with a pro-abortion sitting president.

I was wondering if we were just supposed to guess if a candidate is pro life or pro choice.  I remember receiving a flyer in the bulletin and only two hominlies that even talked about the upcoming election.  I kept thinking that they were going to be speaking about it in the last three or four weeks prior to the election.  Still nothing specific only two very general homilies and than nothing mentioned about voting with respect to the issues of abortion; gay marriage; etc.  Perhaps nothing was said here because they didn’t seem to think it would be necessary as I live in a state that nearly always votes its electoral votes to the Republican candidate.  Shouldn’t the priests and bishops specifically tell the congregation like it is with regard to the Catholic church’s stand on issues and which candidate comes closest to meeting that criteria.  At the risk of sounding racist, which I do not believe I am, I saw several hispanic people at Sunday masses wearing t-shirts promoting “Obama—feel the power” or something to that extent which I felt was totally inappropriate in view of the church’s policy on abortion and gay marriage etc.  Many hispanic people are deeply religious.  How could they not know about Obama’s view on these issues or did they just not care?  Can’t the priests and bishops preach these church policies and inform the people about the view of each candidate ??

Perhaps your readers would benefit from the words of our Holy Father in a congratulatory note he sent to President-elect Obama.
A Catholic News Service article reports:  “The pope also prayed that “the blessing of God would sustain him and the American people so that with all people of good will they could build a world of peace, solidarity, and justice.”
Asked if the pope mentioned any specific issues he was concerned about, Father Lombardi (Vatican spokesman) responded “peace, solidarity, and justice.”
Since our Holy Father expresses his hope for an Obama presidency, your readers may do well to open your hearts and minds to the same. 
Let us unite as a country and work for peace, solidarity, and justice.

IN 2007 OR 2006 THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ABOUT A BOOK FOR KIDS WRITTEN BY MAX LUCADO.  IT WAS ABOUT A CARPENTER WHO HAD LOST HIS WIFE AND CHILD AND BECAME A RECLUSE.  A LITTLE BOY BROUGHT HIM BACK TO LIFE.  I CAN’T FIND MY MAGAZINE AND NEITHER CAN I FIND IT IN MAX LUCADO’S LIST OF BOOKS. HELP PLEASE.  THANK YOU

For Joanne: Would that be the book about Jonathan Toomey? I think we have it, but it might be packed away with all our Christmas stuff. I’ll try to check!

For Joanne,
I think Mary and I are thinking of the same book.  It is called “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” and it is written by Susan Wojciechowski.  It’s a terrific book and a favorite at our house.  I hope this info. helped.

I’m agree

Thanks for these notes.  Though I rarely find myself disturbed by political changes, this time I did find myself quite disturbed with the whole manner in which this election was managed.  Yes, I am a republican since I began voting more years ago than I care to remember.  However, this is the first time I considered either of the candidates simply not ready for the job.  Worse yet, that the person who should have been the standard bearer was shut out of the process altogether.  I know Bush has low approval ratings, however I also believe history will see that he did great things for us, as long as the next government (Pres and Congess) doesn’t manage to undo most of it.  The most important issue as mentioned by Kate Wicker is understanding that there are issues that should take someone out of our list of available candidates.  I could go on for a while, however in line with the rest of you.  We can find solace in our Lord’s words and actions knowing that all He is with us and will triumph, the struggle will only make us stronger and more determined.  God bless you all.

I have been a true one-issue voter, something which I didn’t admit to anyone.  I have been a long time registered Democrat but haven’t voted that way in several elections because of the sanctity of life issue.  I was not satisfied with the Republican Party’s candidates, didn’t feel confident in them, and had decided to cast my vote for one of the independents, such as Ron Paul, a totally pro-life candidate.  Only on the morning of election day did I decide to vote for McCain because he had a small chance of winning where the other prolifers did not.  I wish Obama well, God must be telling us that this is the way to go, and that it is not impossible that he will eventually see the truth of the sacredness of life. 
My friends and I are still storming heaven with our rosaries.  I am confident that life and goodness will triumph