August 23, 2020 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Clinton P. Honkomp, O.P. (303) 522-0196 Pastor

Deacon Mick Palazzolo Social Justice/Campus Ministry

Deacon. Jim Dodge Adult Education/Hospital Ministry

Mr. Dan Blentlinger

Deacon Intern

Mrs. Denise Reavis Principal

Mrs. Debbie Mandeville Parish Administrative Assistant

Mr. Rich Harkins Business/IT Manager

Mrs. Angie Daniels School Administrative Assistant

Mr. Joe Dinardo Maintenance

Mrs. Alice Hill Liturgy & Music

Mr. Dave Klestinski Homebound Ministry

Mass Times: Saturday (vigil) 4:30 pm

Sunday 8:00 am, 10:30 am

Holy Days: As announced

Daily Mass: W, Th, F: 6:20 am

Tuesday: 8:20 am

Communion Service: Monday: 6:20am

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday, 3:30pm

Eucharistic Adoration:

First Friday/Saturday: Friday 7:00 am to Sat 8:00 am

Other Fridays: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Parish Office Hours: M - F: 8:30 am - 4:00pm

School Office Hours: M - F: 7:45 am - 3:30 pm

2000 E. Sangamon Avenue (mailing address: 2125 N. 21st Street)

Springfield, Illinois 62702

Church: (217) 544-4554 Fax: (217) 544-4963

School: (217) 544-4553 Fax: (217) 544-1680

www.saintaloysius.org

Dear Friends in Christ,

“Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid?” (Romans

11:35). St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot

give the Lord anything - God already owns it all. God made every-

thing. All we can do is return a portion of God’s many gifts back to

Him. Sincere gratitude for our gifts opens our hearts to joyful generosi-

ty! Through your generous sharing, you just may be the answer to

someone’s prayer.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks I am going to include in

our bulletins articles from the internet that address various elements of

our Catholic teaching on moral conscience. As we move toward the

November election, we have an obligation as Catholics to properly form

and follow our consciences. May God inspire us to become well-

informed Catholic voters.

Special thanks to all who financially contributed to and spiritually sup-

Saint Aloysius Catholic Church A Discipleship Parish

port Deacon Mick’s Street Ministry. Through Mick’s leadership and

many volunteers St. Al’s Parish is able to feed, pray with and touch

many of our brothers and sisters who live on the streets of Springfield.

Your unsolicited support of this ministry is profoundly appreciated.

Thank you for your powerful witness to Christian Discipleship.

I am so grateful to Mrs. Denise Reavis, our principal, and her team who

successfully opened St. Aloysius School for a new academic year this

past Monday. From my vantage point, both the students and faculty

seemed happy. Of course, this year bring with it all sorts of challenges,

but Denise is very creative in meeting the needs of all. Congratulations,

Mrs. Reavis! May God bless you, your team, the faculty, and the whole

St. Al’s School Community!

Until the school gets its routine established in the Church Hall, I am not

inclined to let other groups use it. Unlike last year when we were not so

concerned about disinfecting, furniture arrangement, etc. this year is

different. We must now comply with the directives of the diocese and

state. We are also in dialogue with the St. Al's Reopening Task Force.

So... I don't feel we can open up our Church Hall to groups other than

the School Lunch Program at this time. When other groups are permit-

ted to use the Hall, a plan must be put into writing addressing arrange-

ment of furniture, disinfecting the space, use of masks, keeping social

distancing, etc. The Principal's reopening plan published in a recent

bulletin gives pointers to consider and is attached to this bulletin.

Please contact me directly about the use of the Church Hall and direct

all those who might want to use it to me. Thanks so much for helping

us make St. Al's a Virus Free Zone.

Now that summer is over and our school back in session, it is important

to go to the school office for school business and the parish office for

parish business. This might seem funny but with the office doors so

close and different expectations in place for visitors, we must be care-

ful to not cross the expectations. Thanks for your patience, for under-

standing, and for being aware of our concern for the ultimate health of

our students and faculty. Again, consult the principal’s reopening plan.

Do you benefit from the lower tuition asked by our school? If so, you

need to realize that this amount is kept low by our weekly BINGO

game at Caritas Hall. Bingo is held mid-day each and every Saturday

for the benefit of our school. If you have children in our school, it is

important that you volunteer to help out at Bingo! Also, special thanks

to Ronda Mills and Ed Strode for their continued leadership at our

school’s weekly bingo. You will notice a new “Bingo Box” in our bul-

letin on the financial run-down for the week. You will be able to keep

track of the on-going Bingo finances there. Please volunteer a Saturday

or two by calling Ronda, Ed, or the parish office.

St. Aloysius intercede for us that we might find the courage to care for

others during our pandemic like you did during yours.

Be assured of my prayers for your and your family’s health… see you

on-line!

With Pastoral Affection,

Fr. Clint, O.P.

Pastor

2

Pastoral Council

Mikki Buhl

John Cernich

Mary Coady

Joseph Lesko

Gary McCandless

Michelle Stewart

Pam Tipps

Bob Wheatley

Finance Council

Paul Brown

Karl Kohlrus

Amy Neal

Matt Noonan

Ryan Spearie

Earl Schroeder

Paul Palazzolo

Troy Washko

School Board Joel Washko (Chair)

Tom Kohlrus

Nicholas Gilmore

Scott McCamant

Rachel Towner

Marianne Stremsterfer

Joan Bestudik

Nancy Ray

Liturgy Committee

Alice Hill, Chair Linda Vono

Mikki Buhl

Paula Petrilli

Rita Lesko

Gary McCandless

Rachel Schrenk

Mary Coady

Discipleship Committee

Terri Maze

Kim Lesko Michelle Daniels

Lisa Fowler

Ed Strode, Chair

Kathy Paoni

Tom Paoni

Mary Ann Mann

Social Justice Committee

Judy Cervellone

Patti Crouch

Matt Daniels Dave Klestinski

Nancy Schrenk

Michelle Stewart

Greg Stumpf

Principal’s Page Mrs. Denise Reavis

We are so excited to WELCOME you to a new school year at St. Aloysius School! It

was exciting to greet the children on the first day of school and we had a great first

week! Thank you for joining our family! Please keep our school community in your

prayers as we begin this school year.

“All Are Welcome” When you registered your child at St. Aloysius you became part

of an amazing family! Part of that family life happens in our church every weekend!

You can participate in the Mass in several ways! One way is in-person on Saturday at

4:30pm or Sunday morning at 8:00am. Social distancing guidelines are in place for safe-

ty. Another way to participate is virtually by watching Mass on our church Facebook

page.

Protecting God’s Children... All parents of children who are attending St. Aloysius

School and who will be volunteering at the school or parish will need the class. Grand-

parents are also encouraged to take the class. If you are thinking of volunteering, we

encourage you to take this class. You only have to take it once, and after your back-

ground check, you are ready to volunteer! New online training sessions are available!

The Diocese of Springfield is offering online Protecting God’s Children Classes to any-

one who needs to take it and would like to do so virtually. Once registered and assigned,

you will be given 30 days to take the class at your convenience. What a great way to get

the class completed at a time and place that is favorable for you. For more information

see the instructions attached to the bulletin.

Have you been to the school Facebook page lately? Keep up on the latest events in our

school community! Make sure to follow us as we use Facebook as one of our communi-

cation tools to share information with the school community.

Don’t forget to join us for Bingo at Caritas Hall, 909 E Converse, on Saturday, August

29 at 10:45am for Early Bird, other games begin at noon. If you can volunteer to help

please call the school office. Play bingo during our times, help make this a fun and prof-

itable activity for St. Aloysius School! Please consider volunteering. You can text or call

Rhonda (217) 670-4458. Last week bingo made a profit of $1,137.50. Thank you to our

volunteers last week: Richard Camden, Ron Kohlrus, Karen McKee, Rhonda Mills, and

Ed Strode. Please remember to volunteer a Saturday, call Ronda, Ed, or the parish of-

fice.

School Office Wish List...Our school office needs some supplies! If you can donate,

please send items to Mrs. Daniels! *Band-aids (all sizes)* Hand Sanitizer, *Lysol/

Clorox Wipes, *Disinfect Spray, *Kleenex, *Ice Packs, and *Copy paper. Thank you!

St. Aloysius School admits students of any race, color, sex or national and ethnic

origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made

available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,

sex, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admis-

sions policies, scholarships and load programs, and athletic and school administered

programs.

Thank you for choosing St. Aloysius School! Do not hesitate to call if you have

any questions!

“Love is the True North that always leads us home.”

3

— Parish Data —

In charity, please remember in your prayers… 2017… Donald Drendel, Denzil DeVanney, Walther Fliege, Barbara Todd, Helen Richardson, Mary Bedolli, Donald Mroscak, August Papilli, Frances Emmons, Rob-ert Berberet Sr. Katie Raffa, John Williams, Barbara Veseling, Mike Timko, Richard Neal Sr. Marianne Charles, Robert Wolf, Virginia Wagner and Betty Andretta. 2018… Larry Brooks, Katherine Stoecker, Betty Chernis, Kathy Martin, Beatrice Nimpson, Fredrick Bedolli, Mary Kulek, Bernie Hagele, Dorothy Warrington, Mary LeMasters, Peg Wilson, Annette Hickman, Edna Kennedy, Joseph Carlove, Bernadine Seitz, Joseph Crowe, Patricia Rigdon, Janet Coe, Jeannette O’Ravis. 2019... Lena Ostenburg, Bonnye Locke, Alda Bretz, Della Maurer, Leonard Naumovich, Leanne Schleyhahn, Delores Anthony, Carl Venvertloh, Elmer

Schuster, Norman and Helen Reeves, Pat Capranica, Richard Murawski, John Wolosick, William Eck, Leonard Jann, Laura Palazzolo, Christine Kohlrus, Carole Wetherell, Larry Tebrugge Sr. 2020... John Power Jr., Ceil Trello, John Trstensky Matt Cosgrove, Dominic Titone, Patricia Mathews, Marian Reinbold and Anthony Pianezza

Parish Ministry Schedule - Sat-Sun - August 29-30

Saturday, 4:30pm Sunday, 8:00am

Music

Lector

E.M.

Servers

Total

77 95 172

Weekly Attendance-August 15-16

PARISH CALENDAR

The budgeted amount is the minimal required to maintain services, employee

benefits, utilities, and maintenance at current levels and does not provide for

debt payment, unbudgeted repairs or improvements for the Parish. Weekly Offerings budget for the month of August is $40,000.00. We have received

64% of needed funding to meet essential budget obligations.

PARISH CALENDAR

PARISH CALENDAR

PARISH CALENDAR

PARISH CALENDAR WEEKLY PARISH OFFERING

Week 7 August 16 Total to Date

Weekly Offertory $7,388.50 $55,615.50

Bingo $565.00 $3,873.00

Shepard one Student $1,500.00

$2,936.00

Building Fund $40.00 $260.00

Special Prayers and Blessing

Please pray for the repose soul of:

Brian Wheatley Eternal Rest Grant to him, O Lord and let perpet-

ual light shine on him.

August 23 8:00am Sunday Morning Mass

August 23 8:45am Communion Service

August 25 8:00am Morning Mass

August 25 3:00pm Rosary

August 25 6:30pm Finance Council (Zoom)

August 26 8:00am Morning Mass

August 26 3:00pm Rosary

August 27 8:00am Morning Mass

August 27 3:00pm Rosary

August 27 6:30pm School Board (Zoom)

August 28 8:00am Morning Mass

August 28 3:00pm Rosary

August 29 4:30pm Saturday Evening Mass

August 29 4:45pm Communion Service

August 30 8:00am Sunday Morning Mass

PARISH CALENDAR

ANNUAL CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL-2019

Assessment (2019) $51,458.00

Total Pledge (June 9, 2020) $24,500.00

Amount owed $26,958.00

ANNUAL CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL-2018

Assessment (2018) $49,968.00

Total Pledge (June 30, 2019)

$25,225.00

Amount owed $24,743.00

St. Aloysius Catholic Church: A Discipleship Parish

Around the Church

If you know someone who may be interested in learning more

about their faith invite them to join RCIA (Rite of

Christian Initiation of Adults) and find out if it is

for them. You could accompany them (give them

moral support) to the sessions as they explore our

faith. RCIA will begin in mid September. You can

contact the parish office (544-4544) to register or obtain more

information. Now is the time to talk to that friend or family mem-

ber and invite them to RCIA. Your word or deed can make a dif-

ference!

Prayer Warriors are still welcome to pray in front of Spring-

field Planned Parenthood 601 N. Bruns Ln. in Springfield. For

more information, contact www.springfieldrtl.org.

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children…

Please join the Springfield Right to Life for a

prayer service on Saturday, September 12

from 11:00am-12:00pm to honor the children

whose lives have been taken too soon by abor-

tion. This will be a solemn memorial service in

memory of God’s precious children. It will

take place in front of Planned Parenthood, the

very location that ends these innocent children’s lives for the sake

of selfishness, convenience, and greed. White crosses will be

placed on the city property between the sidewalk and the street.

Pastors and prayer warriors will be invited to speak. Those who

wish to bring flowers to place by the crosses are encouraged to do

so. Lawn chairs are welcome.

Do you have a plan to keep you on the right path in this ever-

changing world? Listening to Catholic programming on Covenant Network will help keep you focused on faith in your

life. Our daily schedule includes the Mass, the Rosary, the Ange-

lus at noon, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and other prayers to re-

mind you of saints and feasts during the day. Call-in shows that

answer questions about Church history, Scripture, the lives of the

Saints and current events will keep you grounded in faith. Tune in

to 88.9 FM, listen on our Covenant Network app on your mobile

device or at OurCatholicRadio.org.

St. Johns Breadline continues to provide one meal per day.

They are in need of bottled water, individual snacks, canned fruit

and bananas. You may drop off any donations at their backdoor,

7:00am - 1:00pm at 430 N. 5th Street, Springfield.

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time... August 23… My Experience. Jesus asks today: Who am I? Peter blurts out: The

Christ. In that response, he means the Messiah, the Promised

One, the Son of God, the One who saves, redeems, and binds us

to God. Quite a mouthful. Profound belief. He is the very foun-

dation of the Church, the People of God. What is my experience

of Jesus? He is…. How does my experience bind me to all who

believe in him? Since I am called to be like him, whom will I

save in some small way today?

You-sized

“Just be yourself.”

Possibly the worst, scariest, most useless advice you and I have

ever received.

I mean, do they know us? Seriously, if they had an inkling of how

messed up you and I are, no one would ever tell us to do this.

How about something useful instead? Like, don’t be a weirdo? Or,

curb your enthusiasm? Or, remember how you screwed it up last

time?

The problem with advice like that? When we do anything other

than be who we are. When we “should” all over ourselves. When

are anything other than our authentic selves. We lay baggage upon

baggage on our shoulders.

Piling on backpack after backpack. Until (if we could see our-

selves) we look like a cartoon version of the world’s most over-

prepared Boy Scout.

Bent down under the weight of everything we think we need. Eve-

rything we think we should be. Over-prepared, for stuff that will never happen.

Staggering around under all of that extra crap may give us the

illusion of safety. Or strength. Or readiness. But what it really

does? Is ensure that we’re always going to be on the outside look-

ing in.

Exactly the point that Jesus makes in the Gospel, about the camel

trying to go through the eye of a needle. It’s all about the doorway.

For you, the doorway to a healthy relationship? It’s you-sized.

For me, it’s me-sized. This applies to every relationship in our

lives.

Including the most important relationship. Our relationship with

God.

You can’t get through that doorway with any of your extra crap. It

simply won’t fit.

There’s room for you to get through. Just you. And that’s all.

But here’s the part that you and I miss.

For those that truly love you – especially God –

that’s all they’ve ever wanted.

-Deacon Jim

St. Aloysius Catholic Church: A Discipleship Parish

Parish Bulletin Board

Going to Mass. Please arrive tot church at least 10 minutes before Mass begins. Masks

are required if you wish to enter church. Hand sanitizers will be available in the vesti-

bule. The ushers will direct you to your seat. Every other row of pews will be taped off

and tape marks will be placed on the pews for social distancing. Families living in the

same house may sit together, but otherwise you are asked to observe the markings. There

will be no missalettes. You may bring your own missal but please take with you when you

leave. The collection basket will be placed in the middle of church for your donation. You

can still drop your envelopes off at the rectory mailbox or by mail. Following social spac-

ing and guidelines has been successful to what will hopefully be a steady return to regular-

ity. Bulletin are online and emailed on Friday. We are allowed to be at 25% capacity,

which is 150 people per Mass. Thanks to the many volunteers who have stepped up to san-

itize the church after each gathering Thank you for your cooperation.

The dispensation from the Sunday obligation remains. Anyone feeling sick should stay

home and anyone who has been in close contact with COVID-19 individuals should self-

quarantine for 14 days. Go to dio.org/coronavirus for a video about what the Mass looks

like with people returning to the pews, including the precautions being taken, cleaning

protocols being implemented, and instructions for the faithful. The website also includes

more detailed information for lay Catholics as we make the transition back to public cele-

brations of Mass.

Face Masks… We continue to hear about the increase of cases in Sangamon County due

to COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution we ask everyone to wear a

face coverings at mass or while in church. And as always it is recommended

to wear a mask during your entire time in the church building for the safety

of all. To maintain safety and proper precautions, you are asked not to con-

gregate in the vestibule or even outside church.

Although at this time it may not always be possible for you to attend Mass and to receive

Jesus in Holy Communion sacramentally, we are encouraged to take up the time honored,

devout practice of making a “Spiritual Communion”. If you watch Mass on TV or the in-

ternet, it is fitting to pray the following at the time of the priest’s Holy Communion.

Act of Spiritual Communion... A Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori … My Jesus, I be-

lieve that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I

desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramen-

tal, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and

unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

We will continue to live stream Mass on Sunday, weekday Mass and the rosary. We will

also provide communion services after the weekend masses to those unable to go to Mass.

COVID-19 has hit the needs of the homeless on our streets greatly. The Social

Justice Committee/Street Ministry are trying to help the homeless with both breakfast and

lunch. We are in need of breakfast or granola bars, lunchbox size fruit cups, juice boxes,

men's underwear (M-XL) and men’s socks. Items can be dropped off at the weekend mass-

es (there will be a tub in the back of church) or at the Parish office (Monday –Thursday

9:00-noon). Thank you for your love and support of the homeless and their needs in our

community.

Please note in your August church envelopes you will find a yellow envelope for St. Alo-ysius School Tuition Assistance. These monies will go to help those families, who

have been approved through our FACTS Tuition Grant and Aid Assessment Program,

qualify for financial assistance to attend our school. We are deeply appreciative for your

support of this special envelope.

Thank you for your contributions

that keep us current on

bills, utilities, payroll,

benefits, and so much

more. Whenever there is a

challenge or a need, St.

Aloysius always steps up. THANK

YOU SO MUCH!

St. Aloysius Prayer Chain... If you

have a special intention or someone

whom you would like prayers offered

please call Mrs. Vikki Warren @ 217-

544-2299.

Stewardship … Gracious and loving

God, we understand that you call us to

be stewards of your

abundance, the caretak-

ers of all you have en-

trusted to us. Help us to

use your gifts wisely

and to share them gener-

ously. May our faithful stewardship be

the hallmark of our discipleship, a

visible sign of our commitment to

Christ. We pray with grateful hearts,

in Jesus’ name. Amen.

August 24 St. Bartholomew

August 25 Weekday

8:00am All Parishioners +

August 26 Weekday 8:00am Dominic Titone + August 27 St. Monica

8:00am Pat Mathews +

August 28 St. Augustine 8:00am Anthony Pianezza+ August 29 Passion of St. John

the Baptist

August 30 22nd Ordinary Sunday Sat 4:30pm John Bensi+ Sun 8:00am Leonard Naumovich+

August 23, 2020

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary TimeIs 22:19-23 | Rom 11:33-36 | Mt 16:13-20

GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE

Imagine being in Peter’s shoes. We have listened to the Sermon on the Mount and been comforted and sometimes challenged by Jesus’ teachings. We have watched him heal the sick and forgive sinners. We’ve faltered at times and seen Jesus face down skeptics. Then Jesus turns to us and asks: “Who do you say that I am?” How would we answer? Peter, not yet knowing that Jesus will suffer, die, and rise, proclaims: “You are Christ, the Son of the Living God.” For Peter, this would be the be-ginning; he would devote his life to building up the Church. Centuries later, we proclaim his words in the Nicene Creed that Jesus is the Son of God. As with Peter, this is just our starting point. Knowing who Jesus is compels us to devote our lives to building up the kingdom of God on earth.

GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT

We know more about learning styles now, but most of us can remember two kinds of students: The front-row students who shot up their hand before a teacher finished asking the question (“Call on me, please!”), and the back-row kids who avoided eye contact, wishing they were invisible. Peter seems to have been one of those front-row students. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” he didn’t hesitate. If Jesus asked that question today, would we hold back, check Google, or speak boldly as Peter did? As Jesus goes on to say, God put those words in Peter’s heart. God speaks to us, too, through the Scriptures, silent prayer, and the examples of saintly men and women who have touched our lives. We don’t have to worry about being “called on,” but we are all called to answer by sharing Jesus’ saving message with those around us. Like Peter, none of us is perfect; we don’t have to be. If we open our hearts and minds to Jesus and his words, we, too, can build up the Church through service, welcome, and generosity.

PRAY Jesus, you called and chose Peter, with his strengths and his weaknesses, to be the rock on which your Church was built. You call and choose me, with my unique strengths and weaknesses, to build your kingdom in the world I live in today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to speak boldly as Peter did, proclaiming your Good News to the world. Amen.

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Written by T H E

FA I T H F U L D I S C I P L E

Moral Conscience: Catholic Teaching for a Strong Faith Understanding conscience is essential for the life of

faith. A solid grasp of Catholic teaching about

conscience makes it possible to live a moral life.

And sadly…

…a defective understanding can destroy your moral

life.

This is important! For the beginning Catholic, this

is an essential issue to understand properly.

And I’ll tell you plainly: conscience may be the

single most misunderstood issue among Catholics

today!

This article will give you a brief, understandable

description of conscience in plain English. You’ll

gain a sound grasp of the topic.

This topic is so important that you should read this

article, and then carefully study the Catechism’s

section on conscience.

A natural facility to judge

Conscience is a natural facility of our reason that

does three things:

1. Reminds us always to do good and avoid

evil.

2. Makes a judgment about the good and evil

of particular choices in a specific situation.

3. Bears witness after the fact to the good or

evil that we have done. (I.e., having a guilty

conscience.)

Conscience is a powerful and remarkable facility

that is distinctly human.

Understand that conscience is a judgment of reason.

It uses the objective principles of the moral law to

judge the morality of acts in specific circumstances.

Conscience is not itself the source of the moral law.

• This is a common point of

misunderstanding. Many who reject Church

teaching will say, “I’m just following my

conscience.” What they usually mean is that

they’re looking to their conscience as

the source of moral principles, which is a

serious error.

• I’ll be blunt: it’s likely that some other

Catholics will challenge you on this point,

and you’ll have to defend it. (I know, it’s not

fair! It’s a long story, but a lot of people

have been taught weak or bad doctrine for

many years….)

Use the Catechism to defend this point. This

article will help you read the Catechism’s

section on conscience accurately. Also see

the excellent article on conscience on the

Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) Web

site. Beyond that, Pope John Paul

II’s Veritatis Splendor contains a definitive

discussion about conscience in sections 54-

64; number 64 particularly speaks to this

point.

Everyone has a duty to form their conscience.

Formation of conscience simply means educating

and training it. We do this by learning and taking to

heart the objective moral law, as found in Scripture

and the authoritative teachings of the Catholic

Church. This forms conscience in objective moral

truth as taught by Christ and his Church.

Practicing the virtues is another aspect of forming

the conscience. This not only lets us do good acts,

but it trains the will to desire to do good. In

particular, the virtue of prudence affects the ability

of conscience to judge rightly.

You must follow your conscience

A fundamental principle of Catholic morality is that

you must follow your conscience.

But be careful: there’s a strong tendency for all of

us to distort the full meaning of that principle! We

tend to use it as a giant loophole for doing any old

thing that we’d like.

A well-formed conscience will never contradict the

objective moral law, as taught by Christ and his

Church. (Catechism, 1783-5, 1792, 2039)

A safe way to read this principle is: if your

conscience is well-formed, and you are being

careful to reason clearly and objectively from true

moral principles, then you must follow the

reasoned judgment of your conscience about the

morality of a specific act. Otherwise, seek

reliable guidance in forming your conscience.

The principle that we must follow our conscience

derives from…

The dignity of conscience

The authority of conscience, and our need to follow

it, come from its dignity.

Pope John Paul II tells us that conscience is an

“interior dialog of man with himself” about right

and wrong. It “is also a dialog of man with God”: it

is “the witness of God himself” calling him to obey

the moral law, and is a person’s “witness of his own

faithfulness or unfaithfulness.” This is the basis of

the great dignity of the conscience: it derives from

its witness to objective moral truth. (Veritatis

Splendor, 57-58, 60)

Conscience is the means God has given us to make

moral decisions. Our freedom demands that we use

it: “When he listens to his conscience, the prudent

man can hear God speaking.” (Catechism, 1777)

But we compromise this dignity of conscience if we

haven’t formed our conscience well, or when we do

not take care to reason clearly and objectively.

Again, Pope John Paul II teaches:

Jesus alludes to the danger of the conscience being

deformed when he warns: “The eye is the lamp of

the body. So if your eye is sound, your whole body

will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound,

your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the

light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

(Mt 6:22-23). (Veritatis Splendor, 63)

Erroneous judgment

Conscience does not always judge properly. Out of

ignorance or bad reasoning, it can judge wrongly.

Erroneous judgment is often our own fault, and can

have many causes (from Catechism, 1791-2):

• Lack of care in forming our conscience or

our powers of reason

• Misunderstanding conscience

• Damage caused by repeated and habitual sin

• Following the bad example of others

• Rejection of Church teaching

• Ignorance of Christ and the Gospels

• Neglecting the work of our conversion to

Christ

• Neglect of charity

If our conscience errs and we’re responsible for the

error, then we are guilty of the evil committed. We

are not guilty for the evil if we’re not responsible

for the error.

But even if the guilt is not imputable to us, it’s still

an evil act. This greatly hinders our ability to

advance in the moral life and live in union with

God. As Pope John Paul II puts it:

…[T]he performance of good acts… constitutes the

indispensable condition of and path to eternal

blessedness…. Only the act in conformity with the

good can be a path that leads to life…. If [an act is

not good]…, the choice of that action makes our

will and ourselves morally evil, thus putting us in

conflict with our ultimate end, the supreme good,

God himself. (Veritatis Splendor, 72, emphasis in

the original)

The key to the moral life

The good or evil of specific acts shapes our whole

life.

We choose God or reject him specifically in the

morality of our actions. We must choose to do good

in order to choose God, grow in freedom, sanctify

ourselves, and let God’s grace work in us to make

us “children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the

divine nature and of eternal life.” (Catechism, 1996)

Moral conscience is the key that makes this moral

life possible: it is exactly how we know what the

good is in specific cases, and it beckons us to

always choose the good. And even when we choose

wrongly, conscience calls us to seek God’s merciful

forgiveness so that we can begin again.

Praise the Lord! Wonderful are his works.

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