Suzanne Bartels, a parishioner of St. Paul in Ham Lake, is deep into planning ways to help her fellow Catholics become better informed about political issues and candidates. After all, the Nov. 3 election is fast approaching.

Back in 2016, Bartels made a video for a parish parents’ group that referred to voting-related resources available to parishioners. They included those from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota. Her parish also posted information on bulletin boards and held five “’Faithful Citizenship’ study circles” that summer to consider the U.S. bishops’ document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”

Bartels, who has a passion for religious freedom, said that information can empower parishioners to stand up for what they believe.

“I think as baptized Catholics, we’re called to invest that time and energy to form our conscience with these Catholic principles,” she said.

That’s why the work of the MCC is so important, “so we know what the themes of Catholic social teaching are,” she said. “Then we can act on them, especially in voting.”

In 2016 — the year of the previous presidential election — her parish used an election novena from the MCC website as one way to engage parishioners in that year’s election. The link to the election novena MCC developed is already posted on the parish website.

The novena covers nine policy areas, from religious liberty to life and bioethics, and from marriage and family life to health care. It includes prayers and reflection, and “discernment questions” that help voters consider candidates’ positions on important topics. For example, on life and bioethics: “Where does the candidate stand on the need to enact legislative limits on abortion?” “Where does the candidate stand on reducing practices that destroy innocent human life, such as assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, gun violence and wars of aggression?”

Essential to discernment is prayerful reflection, said Katherine Cross, MCC communications manager.

Bartels’ parish is considering hosting a candidate town hall this fall. The MCC website offers guidance on planning, conducting and promoting that type of event.

Cross encourages every parish to consider hosting a town hall for their state legislative candidates.

“Hosting a town hall not only gives people in the pews the chance to get to know where candidates stand on issues of life, dignity and the common good, but it is also an opportunity for each of us as Catholics to let candidates know that these issues matter to us,” she said.

The website also includes a link to a two-page handout that provides guidelines for parish and Church organizations’ political activity — types permitted and prohibited. It can be downloaded and copied as handouts or distributed with bulletins.

A link to the secretary of state’s website helps voters find their polling location, view which candidates and issues are on the ballot, and more.

The key to Catholics preparing for election day begins with forming one’s conscience before even considering who is running for office, Cross said. The U.S. bishops, in their document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” linked from the MCC website, remind every Catholic that failing to form one’s conscience in the light of the truths of the faith and moral teachings of the Church can lead to making erroneous judgments, she said.

Voting is important, Cross said, but she advises Catholics to keep a certain detachment from the election results.

“Politicians are not saviors,” she said. “We only have one savior and it is Christ the Lord. Regardless of outcome, our responsibility of faithful citizenship in the public arena remains the same the other 364 days of the year. This is the only way to build up his kingdom, instead of what may only build up an earthly kingdom.”

 To view MCC’s election resources, visit mncatholic.org/resources/election.