Experience Together

Voting is an Act of Hope

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, executive director of NETWORK and Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND stand in front of the bus during the Nuns on the Bus “We the People, We the Voters” tour extension in Wisconsin.

In this photo provided by Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND, Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, executive director of NETWORK and Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND stand in front of the bus during the Nuns on the Bus “We the People, We the Voters” tour extension in Wisconsin.

Dysfunction and negativity in the political process lead to apathy. Pope Francis offers these words of hope: “Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.”

In their document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, U.S. bishops tell Catholics: “Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”

The bishops’ document further states: By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be “salt for the earth, light for the nations.” As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life” (nos. 1913-1915).

Voting is more than a responsibility. Voting is central to being faithful citizens. Rev. Ted Hesburgh, CSC, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, is credited with saying, “Voting is a civic sacrament.”

School Sisters of Notre Dame attended the Nuns on the Bus rally in Milwaukee on Nov. 3 at the MATC downtown campus. Pictured from left are: Sisters Barbara Pfarr, Patricia Caswell, Niva Langreck, Jan Gregorcich and Marie Therese Nowakowski.
In this photo provided by Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND, School Sisters of Notre Dame attend the Nuns on the Bus rally in Milwaukee on Nov. 3 at the MATC downtown campus. (From left) Sisters Barbara Pfarr, Patricia Caswell, Niva Langreck, Jan Gregorcich and Marie Therese Nowakowski stand together in front of the bus.

NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, was founded in 1971 by 47 sisters, aka nuns/women religious, to form a national “network” of sisters to lobby for federal policies and legislation that promote economic and social justice. NETWORK sponsors Nuns on the Bus which involves a small group of nuns who travel on a bus that travels to different U.S. locations, in order to publicize important issues.

In fall 2014, the Nuns on the Bus sponsored a tour named “We the People, We the Voters,” to expand voter engagement and encourage 100 percent voter turnout for the midterm elections. The effort began on Sept. 17 in Des Moines and included: voter registration drives, visits to Catholic social service sites and town hall meetings in more than 40 cities in 11 states. The tour covered 5,000+ miles and ended in Milwaukee on Election Day 2014, Nov. 4.

Through the tour, NETWORK and the Nuns on the Bus encouraged faithful citizens: “Do more than just vote; be a voter who is Spirit-filled and who inspires others.”

Where do you see good seed growing?

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