Recently I read a statement prepared by a group of religious women, Sisters of Charity (Elizabeth Seton’s group) headquartered in the Bronx, NYC. The statement was in reply regarding a statement that Cardinal Dolan (NYC) made on national television about the late Charlie Kirk who was assassinated as he addressed students at Utah Valley University (9/10/25). Cardinal Dolan spoke of Charlie Kirk as a “modern-day St. Paul.” The Sisters of Charity reply was a statement of truth rather than a reply of anger. They didn’t argue or say unkind things about Cardinal Dolan or Mr. Kirk; they simply stated the facts and truth. Mr. Kirk was not a modern-day St. Paul. I share that with you because with all of the chaos, misinformation, decisions made from vengeance, striving to find the actual facts or truth under the debris of TMI (too much information), and way too much exaggeration is exhausting. And I tend to get very angry with what I know is inaccurate. For example, what continues to come out of the CDC regarding vaccines, or the endless memos coming out of the White House, or on the President’s X account. It’s an unending blame game.
This past week, I was very annoyed with two letters of reply which I received from one of my U.S. senators (MO). My first impulse was to write back with something very snarky. Upon further reflection I realized that it would be a waste of time. Neither of my two U.S. senators are going to change their allegiance to the President or question his ethics or his mis-facts. And being snarky doesn’t do anything for me except to make me feel like I at least got in my two-cents worth which in turn does nothing except give me a false sense of artificial bravado!
The truth is what makes us free. So, as I continue to write and email and speak out against the wrongs that are occurring in our country today, I need to stick with the facts. That’s what the Sisters of Charity did. Strength is in the truth.
Below are some suggestions I would like to share with you.
Besides abiding with the truth, I think we need to be strategic in our speaking out, writing our elected officials, etc. One thing I have begun doing is emailing or writing words of affirmation to those elected officials who do vote with courage.
When Liz Cheney was ousted from the Wyoming Republican Party for voting for Trump’s impeachment, I wrote her and thanked for her courage.
I wrote Democrat Sen. Durbin (IL) when he chose to decline the Lifetime Achievement Award which Cardinal Cupich (Chicago) wanted to award him for his work on immigration. The senator declined because it was becoming such a media spectacle due to several other Illinois bishops opposing Sen. Durbin receiving the award because he supports women’s reproductive rights. I also wrote Cardinal Cupich and thanked him. Cardinal Cupich was not going to back down, but the senator decided it would become a media circus and best to decline. (FYI: Sen. Durbin is denied Holy Communion in his home diocese of Springfield, IL.)
Are you aware of the Problem Solvers caucus in Congress? They could use our support.
The caucus is a group of Republican and Democrat members of the House of Representatives committed to advancing common-sense, bipartisan solutions to key issues facing the nation. As of the 119th Congress (2025), the caucus is co-chaired by Republican Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Democrat Tom Suozzi (NY-03). The caucus maintains an equal number of Republican and Democrat members to ensure balanced representation. A new member can only join when a member of the opposing party joins at the same number. To endorse a piece of legislation, the caucus requires support from at least 75% of its membership, including a majority (at least 51%) of both Democrats and Republicans within the caucus. I recently read an essay by Rep. Tom Suozzi and how he and a Republican representative chatted about their kids.
Be more intentional about who we contact. For example, there are four medical doctors in the U.S. Senate, all Republican. Contact them and ask them how they can justify what Kennedy is doing.
U.S. Senators who are medical doctors:
- John Barrasso (R-WY): An orthopedic surgeon
- Bill Cassidy (R-LA): A specialist in gastroenterology
- Roger Marshall (R-KS): An OB/GYN
- Rand Paul (R-KY): An ophthalmologist
Write, email, fax, or Instagram Sen. Bernie Sanders and affirm his dedication to the truth. Did you happen to see him interrogating Robert Kennedy, Jr.? WOW! Sen. Sanders is a vociferous, intelligent senator. Would that there were more. I do not agree with all of Sen. Sanders’s positions but you can’t quarrel with his passion and commitment for the wellbeing of our citizens. He raises the whole question of how many elected officials and Robert Kennedy are receiving money from Big Pharma.
When you observe Democrats and Republicans co-sponsoring a bill, support them. We need all the bipartisanship we can garner.
As a possible ceasefire takes place in the Middle East, we appreciate all the negotiating that Donald Trump and his team are providing. However, that does not absolve Donald Trump from the war he continues to wage here in our own country against those who disagree with him, those who will not bow down to him, and especially the cruelty and sheer meanness he promotes towards those of color and immigrants and the distinct disregard he and his Cabinet have for the Constitution of the United States.
Bridget
PS: If anyone would like a copy of the statement that the Sisters of Charity posted on their Facebook page, email me at joy@canainstitute.org. I did not know anything about the late Charlie Kirk. The statement speaks clearly of his held beliefs which are in direct conflict with the Catholic Church and most major mainstream religions.
The Annunciation Blog 
Thank you Bridget for this excellent analysis and inventory of alternative actions! It is so helpful!Mary 🙏👏🏻Sent from my iPhone
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