Jul 13, 2023

Greetings,

This August you will be asked to vote on ISSUE ONE that would change the ability to amend the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to a two thirds majority (not unusual in our nation.) A simple majority opens our Ohio Constitution to be more easily swayed by fads and interest groups. Since 1912, when the requirement of changing the constitution were loosened, about 170 amendments have been made. Knowing this is important because, in November, there is going to be a huge push to pass an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that will:

• Allow abortion until the date of birth,
• Remove the requirement that parents are notified,
• Blocks persecution of anyone who would take your child to have an abortion.

Of course, it will not be presented that way, but that is exactly what it will do.

Currently there is a manipulative and misleading commercial for Issue One that shows, not the Ohio Constitution but the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights being cut up by a pair of scissors and declaring, “Protect our fundamental freedoms,” and that this Issue would “permanently remove our rights from the constitution.” What it is actually doing is preserving the rights and freedoms of parents and their children.

The language is almost religious as it speaks about the “sacred principle” of one person, one vote. (Which doesn’t change by the way.) “Protect our rights and the freedom to make our own decisions.” Yet that is exactly what those who want to defeat Issue One want to take away. A YES vote for Issue One will make it much more difficult for a misleading abortion amendment that WILL work against every family’s rights and freedoms to pass in Ohio. This amendment goes too far even for most of those who are for abortion to one degree or another.

That the commercial is so dishonest and misleading should send up red flags in the minds of every Ohioan. Why can’t those opposed to Issue One simply state their case? That says something right there. Please do your homework. Please vote. Please pray. It is my recommendation to you to VOTE YES on ISSUE ONE.

IN OTHER NEWS:

AWAY: I was away all last week. If you were trying to get in touch with me you might want to try again this week. Also, Joan of b’Arc was at sleep-away camp. She is also back in residence.

INTERN: Our seminarian intern Ryan Arto will be preaching about once a week for morning Mass as part of the requirements for his training for the priesthood.

EVENTS:

CONCERT: There is a concert in the courtyard this Sunday at 4pm. (In Zwisler Hall in the event of poor weather.) Bring a blanket/chair and lunch/snack and enjoy the wildly popular Boogie Woogie Boy on the piano.

TOR: Fr. Patrick Schultz will be speaking on “Addressing Transgenderism with Truth and Charity” this Monday night. Doors open at 7pm. See elsewhere in the bulletin for details.

God bless,

Fr. Valencheck