This year voting has become a BIG ISSUE for me. As a young adult, I previously considered voting to be my duty as a citizen and I don’t recall ever having missed voting in any election - local or national. Over the last few years, however, I have realized that voting - and discussing my preferences - is much more than my duty; it has been an exercise of my privilege. Voting is one of the ways I can help those who do not have the same “privilege” as I have.
I have been informing myself through reading, thinking about Catholic social justice issues and analyzing my own past behavior. Without walking in the shoes of those less fortunate than me, it is becoming more apparent that I must love my neighbors - all of them - here in our own community and in the entire world. One way to do this is through supporting office holders who care for others more than they care for themselves; looking to provide for the common good, even if it means reevaluating our goals, priorities, spending habits, and how we wish to influence our family, community, and our world of humanity.
Joan McGinnis
For all who will be casting their vote at the polls on November 3rd, the following resources may be of help:
Last Minute Questions?
If you have not yet created your plan to vote, or if you need to revise your plan to vote, consult your Board of Elections for information and options.
St. Louis County Board of Elections
https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/board-of-elections/
St. Louis City Board of Elections
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/board-election-commissioners/
Transportation
Action St. Louis will provide transportation for early voting Saturday, October 31st and on Election Day, November 3rd.
St. Louis County 8:30 am to 13:30 pm
St. Louis City 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A request can be made online: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/rides-to-the-polls-with-action-st-louis/
Call or text Katherine Fenerson (314) 325-4478 for more information.
If you are a resident of St. Louis City or County and need a ride to the polls, the A. Philip Randolph Institute will provide transportation duration polling hours on Tuesday, November 3rd. To request a ride, call APRI’s Election Call-A-Ride Hotline at 314-562-0411.
Assistance with Voting
If you have any questions about completing the voting process, or if you confront obstacles while you are at the polls, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE for support. Their hotline provides individualized assistance to address your need.
Faith and Civic Engagement
College Church is a member congregation of Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU), which “puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good.” Their work addresses issues and systems that disadvantage people who are marginalized. You may remember a "Parish and Community" interview with Executive Director David Gerth posted in June where he describes some of their efforts on behalf of incarcerated youth, Medicaid expansion, Census participation and voter engagement. There is a current campaign to inform voters about Amendment 3 that is on the ballot in Missouri on November 3rd. Visit their website to see a breakdown of the ballot language and explanation of the amendment’s harmful impact, especially for underserved and under resourced communities: https://mcustlouis.org/
For more information about MCU, including ways to volunteer, contact Christine Dragonette (christine@sfxstl.org)
Putting Faith in Action
My name is Ruth, and I’m an 18-year-old high school senior. I was a participant in College Church’s Religious Education program from second grade through my confirmation in eighth grade. During my years in the RE program, I made a huge journey in my faith and understanding of Catholic beliefs and principles, as well as my own beliefs and principles. I plan to vote in person at the polls on November 3rd, and I can’t wait to exercise my right as a citizen of this country. But how does my faith as a Catholic factor into my decision?
The heart of the Gospel is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We hear it again and again throughout Catholic and Christian teachings: in the readings at mass, in our pastor’s homilies, in our prayers. But we need to consider how it plays a role in society. It is not enough to say that we “love mankind,” or that we “love everyone.” This can introduce feelings of apathy, allowing us to make excuses for standing aside. Real faith drives a person to act in service. Would you say you love a person, and count that as being enough as he and his family are trampled into the road? “Oh, I didn’t help him. I love him, though, so I did my part.” That individualist stance is not real love, but empty words because there is no faith without acting. We must understand how Jesus’s primary teaching is applied in today’s world, and deal with the uncomfortable topics of racism, classism, sexism, and immigration. “Love thy neighbor as yourself,” means more than claiming that you love every person. It means proving that you love every person. It means standing with people of all backgrounds regardless of the color of their skin. It means supporting immigration and the right to flee to a place where you can survive. It means giving yourself the real talk and educating yourself on the real problems present in our society. It means considering the love that you as a Catholic claim to have for each and every person as you go about your daily life. And it means pushing aside the petty partisan excuses spoken by politicians in our pitifully divided country and standing up for what really matters: the well being of each and every person on this planet, regardless of their background.
It’s up to every individual voter to consider how they can love their neighbor. No one can tell you which candidate will do a better job of loving and caring for every single American except you. So, as I prepare to vote, I’m researching the candidates’ stances on social justice, on equality, and on immigration and discrimination laws. I am considering Jesus’s most important teaching to decide which candidate truly has the People’s best interests at heart.
With each day that we draw nearer to the 2020 election, it seems more likely that we are hearing (or using) words like “debate,” “divide,” “defend,” or “defeat,” rather than the words “listen” or “love.” Yet, we are people of faith who desire to build the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in Heaven.” That kingdom is one of love where we are called to act with compassion in service of achieving the common good. We seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer, reflection, learning and engaging with others. The church supports us in our journey of forming a conscience for faithful citizenship through its teachings, through shared prayer and through our community of believers.
As we continue to discern and deliberate our choices in this election and beyond, we may look to these gifts to sustain our journey:
Prayer
Merciful Father,
Thank you for inviting each of us to join in your work
of building the kingdom of love, justice, and peace.
Draw us close to you in prayer
as we discern your call in our families and communities.
Send us forth to encounter all whom you love:
those not yet born, those in poverty, those in need of welcome.
Inspire us to respond to the call to faithful citizenship,
during election season and beyond.
Help us to imitate your charity and compassion
and to serve as models of loving dialogue.
Teach us to treat others with respect, even when we disagree,
and seek to share your love and mercy.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen
Reflection
This video from the website iVoteCatholic, developed by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, offers a framework for us to consider Catholic Social Teaching in our election decisions as well as in the ways we can support the dignity of all members of the community going forward.
Learning
Take this time to review the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Engaging with Others
Bring your learning and reflections to your small faith group. Listen with the intent to understand the perspective of others. This can challenge or deepen our own wisdom.
If you would like to become part of a faith sharing group you may enroll through this link on the web site: Small Group Sign Up — St. Francis Xavier
*Voting Is An Act of Love” is an initiative of the Ignatian Solidarity Network supporting voter participation and offering resources for discernment and civic engagement.
REMEMBER!
In Missouri, the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is October 21st.
MCU and Amendment 3 in Missouri
College Church is a member congregation of Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU), which "puts faith into action by developing leaders who move their congregations, organizations, and communities to change public policy for the common good. Visit MCU's website for information on Amendment 3 (on the ballot November 3rd in Missouri), including a breakdown of the ballot language and and explanation of the impact: https://mcustlouis.org/
Faith and Civic Engagement
“Politics, according to the social doctrine of the Church, is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good.” Pope Francis, 2013
When confronting the many decisions-large and small-presented in our lives, we turn to the tenets and teaching of our faith for guidance. That includes our choices of community policies, programs and leaders that we will make in the coming weeks. As Catholic Christians, we are called to look beyond the rational decision-making process and to seek ways to recognize and cooperate with Christ’s redeeming work in the world. We are challenged to listen-detached from our personal bias-to the voices of people who are marginalized, to the cry of the injured earth, as well as to our own needs and desires.
The Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States has developed a reflection that offers guidance in applying our Catholic faith and Ignatian principles to our political participation. As you prepare for the coming election, we invite you to use this resource to support your discernment:
Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement
Gracious God,
In your loving heart, you made us.
Each of us, you made unique.
But it was not good that we should be alone, so you placed us in community.
You made a purpose for each of us: to serve you by serving our human family,
And in turn to be protected and nurtured by it. You made us the Body of Christ.
You have taught us, your children, that we are called to be women and men for others:
To walk with the excluded.
To safeguard the abundant world you have made our common home.
To call young people into a spirit of creativity and encounter, where your voice can be heard.
And to show others, in the way we walk, a pathway to God.
As we reflect on our calling
to help build a just and sustainable society where all this is possible,
We humbly turn to you:
Bless our bodies with strength and determination. Fill our hearts with the compassion of saints. Ordain our minds with wisdom and vision. Empower our spirits with faith and truth.
Employ our hands to lay a lasting foundation to bless generations to come.
Lord, you invite us to find you in all things.
As we collaborate as a people in the building of our society,
May we find you there.
In our principles and laws,
May we find you there.
In our policies and programs,
May we find you there.
In our courts and bureaus,
May we find you there.
In our streets and squares,
May we find you there.
And in our neighbors, especially those on the margins,
May we find you there.
We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Ensure Your Voice is Heard
The 2020 Vote in Missouri includes multiple pathways to the ballot “box.” It is important to be informed of the options, requirements and deadlines.
1. Register to vote/Check your registration – The last day to register is October 6, 2020
Missouri: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register
Outside of Missouri or Illinois: https://www.vote411.org/register
2. Know your options: In person – Absentee – Mail-in
https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionGoVoteMissouri//2020VotingOptions.pdf
3. Don’t wait! It is expected that there will be larger numbers than ever, especially for absentee and mail-in ballots. It is important to plan now and submit your ballot early, if not voting in person.
09/22/20: Absentee voting begins
10/07/20: Last day to register for this election
10/21/20: Last day to request an absentee ballot
11/02/20: Last day to vote absentee in person
11/03/20: Election date
