Difficult Moral Issues, Is Gambling Immoral?

“For God so loved the world a stand against gambling. Do you their work in the life of the Church. Many limits on amounts that can be wagered and He gave His only Son, so that how many games of BINGO I have souls have benefitted in countless ways restrictions on gambling credit would have played? Do you know how many from the work of these organizations and saved many families and individuals from everyone who believes in thousands of raffle tickets I have bought entities and without the funds generated financial ruin. When children are denied Him might not perish but and sold? As for parish bazaars and church from gambling, this work may have been basic needs because of a parent’s gambling might have eternal life.” fairs, I can’t even put a number on how hampered or neglected. Third, gambling can addiction or when a senior citizen loses a When the American Civil War was in many pull tabs I have purchased and games enhance local economies and provide jobs lifetime of savings because of gambling, you progress, a war due largely to the South’s of 21 I have played. If I were to take a stand and benefits for people in financial need. A would assume fellow Christians would rebellion against the North on the question against gambling, I would not be a credible case in point is Four Bears Casino speak out more forcefully for restrictions on of slavery, someone once asked President voice. Yet, there are some moral and right next door to us on the Fort gambling, but sadly, most remain silent. The Abraham Lincoln, “When the war is over theological perspectives to keep in mind Berthold Reservation. It has attitude is “That’s their problem or and the South has been subdued and when gambling so that it does not become provided significant funds for addiction”, so they turn a blind eye to the conquered, forced to come back to the a sinful activity, causing great harm to the great needs of the reservation and has crisis. So much for love of one’s neighbor! Union, how are you going to treat those individuals and families. offered many work opportunities (with Second, and in a related manner, rebellious Southerners? What are you going good pay and excellent benefits) for The Catholic Church, according to its gambling should not get in the way of an to do to them?” Lincoln quickly responded, countless individuals and their families. traditional theology, does not consider individual’s duty to meet the needs of the “I am going to treat them as if they had Indeed, gambling can have many positive gambling to be intrinsically evil. In fact, if Church and society. I am reminded of a man never been away.” aspects and it is not a great moral evil unto properly controlled, gambling can have who intended to go to the casino after itself. Yet, there are aspects of gambling Like Jesus Christ, Lincoln lived his life positive aspects. For one, it can be a form of Sunday Mass. He had a hundred dollar bill which must be condemned for their preaching the unconditional love and mercy legitimate recreation. Who doesn’t like a for the collection basket in one hand and a inherent sinful nature. of our Father in heaven. Do we live this spirited game of BINGO or taking part in a hundred dollar bill for the slot machines in same love and mercy? great game of poker with friends? Gambling First, gambling is evil when money the other hand. On his walk to church, he During this holy season of can be a way to relax and enjoy the or possessions are wagered at such a rate fell and one of the bills fell into the Lent, who is God asking you company of family and friends, important as to take away from the needs of one’s municipal curbside sewer drain. The man to love and forgive? realities often lost in our busy hectic world. family. Tragically, many bank accounts, exclaimed, “Sorry Lord, there went your Second, gambling can generate funds for homes, businesses, and farms have been hundred dollars!” How sad when people acceptable causes. Catholic charities, lost in our state due to the addiction of have wads of money to blow at the casino, Difficult Moral Issues, “Is schools, parishes, seminaries, youth gambling. There should be reasonable and but then have such tight fists when it comes gambling immoral?” organizations, and spiritual/fraternal enforceable safeguards in our state’s laws to the Sunday tithe, to the needs of the On the issue of gambling, it is virtually organizations have used moderate forms of to avoid such abuses in gambling, but poor, or to other social and civic needs. impossible for me, a Catholic priest, to take gambling to raise much needed funds for unfortunately, there are not. Reasonable People often take big purses and big wallets in the one true God. Your heart and pocket later, but obtained a miraculous cure After correctly predicting the time of to the casino, accompanied by little hearts. book will be all the more full! through the intercession of Saint Jerome her death, Benedicta died peacefully at her Emiliani. Now she felt called to undertake a motherhouse on March 21st, 1858, with her Lastly, gambling should not be the Saint of the Week new work of devoting herself to the sisters around her, singing the Te Deum. end-all and be-all of meeting the budgetary Saint Benedicta Cambiagio Frassinello education of young girls. She obtained her needs of state and local governments. (1791-1858) bishop’s approval and the bishop also Come to the font of Divine Mercy Gambling is often a cruel regressive tax, nd Religious requested that Giovani leave the seminary This coming Sunday, March 22 , at taking a far greater toll on those of limited st Feast day: March 21 in order to assist Benedicta with the work, 6:30 p.m., we will have our Lenten penance and/or fixed incomes. State and local Benedicta Cambiagio, from a because of the scope of the task. The two service at Queen of the Most governing bodies may include gambling in young age, was formed in the took a vow of perfect chastity into the Holy Rosary Parish. Monsignor their budgets as they pursue means of Catholic spiritual tradition by her hands of their bishop and set out on their Joseph Senger will join me in offering the revenue, but more equitable tax policies, devout parents. She was always task. mercy of our Savior in the confessionals. pro-business incentives, and reducing devoted to the Catholic Faith and at the age Please make the effort to go to confession government spending have proven far more of twenty, she desired to pursue a vocation Benedicta persevered in following that day, because you have the choice of effective in balancing budgets and as a religious sister. However, her parents God’s will through many difficulties: two confessors and it may be one of the last promoting economic growth. Gambling is a wanted her to enter into marriage and poverty, opposition, and worst of all, times to take part in the Sacrament of quick fix to budgetary concerns when because of her great love for her parents calumny and gossip. People accused her Penance before Easter. Without the government officials are too lazy to invest and her filial devotion to them, Benedicta and Giovanni of sexual impropriety and resurrection of a good confession, leaving the time and effort into more sound and consented. She married Giovani Frassinello violating their vow of chastity; this almost sin behind and rising to a new life of grace, just policies. in 1816 and they lived together for two destroyed their work. But, with God’s grace it’s hard to receive and understand the and prayerful perseverance, they helped to With these principles in mind, enjoy years as husband and wife. In 1818, the blessings of Easter, Christ’s triumph over sin transform the education of young women in that game of BINGO at the nursing home, couple agreed to live chastely, dedicated to and death. God bless you and we will see that region. poker night with the guys, or some limited God. At this same time, they took you next Sunday, as God’s mercy is time at the slot machines. But, if you or Benedicta’s sister Martha into their home Eventually, Benedicta founded the dispensed unconditionally in the others are being greatly hurt by the to assist her through her final months of Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters of confessional. [Note: The Sacrament of addiction of gambling, then you must speak cancer. When Martha died, the couple Providence. The guiding charism of her Penance will be offered as well at Saint out against this social ill or seek help. When entered religious orders: Benedicta joined order is their focus on the education of Ann’s following the 3:00 p.m. Good Friday cash, chips, dice, slot machines, or cards the Ursuline Congregation and Giovanni the young girls and confidence in and Liturgy]. order founded by Saint Jerome Emiliani. have a hold on our hearts, we are in grave abandonment to God in living out their Dr. Italy is here! danger of losing material goods and losing Benedicta was forced to return vows. We welcome Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio to our Lord, for they are false gods that home because of failing health only a year compete with Him. Find joy and happiness our parishes for our parish mission this coming week. As you pray to be open to his message and to allow know, love, and serve the Lord faithfully. know, he is a nationally it to transform your life. Mary, Seat of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph . . . acclaimed Catholic Wisdom . . . pray for us! pray for them. speaker and author and

we are truly blessed to Sit down and eat! Schedule for the Sacred Triduum A reminder that we will have a pancake have him among us. He will offer great Holy Thursday: Queen of the Most Holy breakfast on Sunday, March 22nd, at 12:00 spiritual insights to assist you in growing in Rosary (7:00 p.m.) noon for the youth of the Parish of Queen your Catholic Faith and best of all . . . you Good Friday: Queen of the Most Holy of the Most Holy Rosary. The funds raised get a break from hearing the pastor drone Rosary (noon) from the breakfast help to pay for youth on! Saint Ann’s (3:00 p.m.) activities throughout the year. A reminder Queen of the Most Holy Rosary (7:30 p.m.) We will gather for three nights of that the kids are selling raffle tickets for Holy Saturday: Queen of the Most Holy presentations by Dr. Marcellino some great prizes so seek them out if you Rosary (9:00 p.m.) D’Ambrosio: Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. have not yet had the opportunity to Easter Sunday: Queen of the Most Holy All of the talks will begin at 6:45 p.m. and purchase any tickets. will conclude with question-and-answer Rosary (8:30 a.m.) sessions and a fellowship. The topics That day, we will have a change in Saint Ann’s (11:00 a.m.) include: “Why be Catholic?”; “Getting More the Mass schedule so that I can assist with out of the Mass”; and “Who Needs the breakfast: Mass at 8:30 a.m. at Saint Confession?” We all need to hear these Ann’s and 11:00 at Queen of the Most Holy March Birthdays talks and the information gleaned from Rosary. We look forward to seeing you that them can assist us in evangelizing those day and thank you for your great support of Don Kudrna 3/13 who have wandered from their faith, our youth! Donna Kudrna 3/13 especially those of our own families. The newest Christian in our midst Angela Schepp 3/13 We will see you this week and yes, it We offer our prayers and is a sacrifice of our time to be present, but it Kelly Kudrna 3/25 congratulations to Layla Leigh is well worth it. If Dr. Marcellino Nichols, daughter of Kelsea and Drew Gary Schmidt 3/27 D’Ambrosio can assist us in drawing closer Nichols, who was baptized this past week at to God and our final end of salvation in His Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. May God Kingdom, then every minute at the parish bless our newest child of God and disciple mission is time well spent. Pray for our of Jesus Christ, as she and her family seek to wonderful speaker, but more importantly,