Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October. In order that we begin to do even better at preventing violence and helping abused persons, we need to think about preventing this evil for more than one month. Every year I encounter parishioners and others who have experienced violence in the home. Furthermore, I have witnessed verbal and physical violence between some homeless couples who spend time near the parish.

Golden House in Green Bay is an important organization to which we give support as a parish and encourage your family to support as well. The organization offers to survivors of violence a place of safety, counseling services, emergency housing, and education. In the month of October, Golden House is promoting the “Purple Porch Project.” Changing the light at the main entrance to your home, or hanging a string of purple lights near your door, will indicate your advocacy and solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. Additionally, there are yard signs which you can use. Go to their website for more information.

One other activity for which you will find information is Show of Strength. This event on October 21, 2021, will highlight stories from survivors. The event will end with The Golden Strength Awards that will highlight individuals who have overcome obstacles while displaying fortitude, tenacity, courage, bravery, and perseverance and in doing so, continue to make a difference in our community each and every day. More information is on the Golden House website.

October is also Respect Life Month. It is a fitting coincidence for these two efforts to be the same month. Respecting life is a holistic and whole life effort, from the womb to the tomb. We have much work to do to teach both self-respect and respect of the other. Helping young people to have the self-esteem and self-respect such that they do not easily fall to the societal and psychological pressures to engage in casual sexual relationships requires significant effort. Too many young people think that such activities are a sign of maturity. The opposite is true. Maturity would result in prudent and wise decision-making. Maturity would be demonstrated in restraint. Not every physical impulse must be satisfied.

And, as we teach about respecting life, we must help married couples to grow in their lives of intimacy and love. Couples need to enjoy full relationships based in romance, deep sharing and communication, shared relaxation, cultural enrichment through music, dance, literature, etc., and a generally well-rounded relationship that is more than simply physical. In such families we will see the respect for life.

Peace, Fr. Andy