Faithful Citizenship Bulletin Announcements

Call for civil dialogue. Join Civilize It

Civilize It is about making room in your heart for those with whom you disagree. We are called to recognize that each person is a beloved child of God and should be treated with respect because of our inherent human dignity. Civilize It is a Catholic, non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even when we disagree, and to put faith in action by bearing witness to compassion and civility. Take the pledge and find helpful resources at CivilizeIt.org. 

 

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics

As Catholics, we have a long tradition of putting our faith in action through engagement in the political process. Don’t allow the vitriolic rhetoric you hear to turn you and others off from engaging in the public square. Join Civilize It, a Catholic call for all people to honor each other’s dignity by engaging in respectful dialogue. Take the pledge and find resources at CivilizeIt.org to bring civility to your home, school, workplace, and community.

 

Political Engagement and our Baptismal Call

In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops remind Catholics about the call to participate in political life. “In the Catholic tradition,” they write, “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” (no. 13). Visit FaithfulCitizenship.org today to read the statement, along with a new letter and handouts, watch videos, and access other great resources.  

 

Political engagement is part of our Catholic Call  

In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops urge Catholics to form their consciences through being open to truth, studying Scripture and Church teaching, examining facts and background information, and prayerful reflection (no. 18). Visit FaithfulCitizenship.org to learn about the steps you can take to form your conscience, watch videos and access other great resources on conscience formation for faithful citizens.

 

Political engagement is our responsibility: Learn about the issues!

In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops lift up various issues of different moral weight and urgency.  Some issues they mention include: “protecting the unborn, refugees and immigrant families; fighting racism and religious intolerance; aiding those impacted by poverty and conflict; preserving the family; and caring for our common home.” Learn more about the issues and watch brief videos at FaithfulCitizenship.org.  

 

Put your faith into action: Practice civil dialogue.

In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops remind Catholics that we are called to engage in charitable, respectful and civil dialogue during election season. In a culture that is dominated by “partisan attacks, sound bites and media hype,” the Church calls for “a different kind of political engagement” (no. 14). Join our Catholic witness for civil dialogue by learning more and taking the pledge for civility at CivilizeIt.org. You can take the pledge individually or as a group and invite others to take the pledge too. Visit FaithfulCitizenship.org to access resources on civil dialogue and on how our faith calls us to engage during election season and beyond.

(Use this announcement any time, along with the resources about the importance of civil dialogue and how we can contribute as Catholics, all available at CivilizeIt.org) 

 

Informed voting is virtuous: register to vote.

In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops remind Catholics, “We are called to bring together our principles and our political choices, our values and our votes, to help build a better world” (no. 14). In [insert name of your state], the voter registration deadline is [insert deadline]. You can pick up a mail-in voter registration form at [name locations where forms are available, such as county elections office, library, or post office] or online at [insert url of your state’s voter registration website].

 

Remember to Vote… Be a Faithful Citizen.

Visit FaithfulCitizenship.org to explore how you can love your neighbors by advocating as a faithful citizen on behalf of those who are poor and vulnerable. As you prepare to vote this week, read the U.S. bishops’ statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, watch videos and access other great resources on faithful citizenship.

 

Parish Policy on Distribution of Campaign Materials

During this election season, our parish will be utilizing materials from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship and Civilize It. These materials are non-partisan and seek to help Catholics engage in the political process with an informed conscience, as our faith calls us to do. Distribution of other election-related materials on church property will not be permitted. Among other activities, posting flyers or signs, passing out campaign literature, and leaving unauthorized materials anywhere in the building or on car windshields, are prohibited. We appreciate your compliance with this policy.