GOP debate a hot topic in Granite State

Sunday at Our Lady of the Mountains Church in North Conway, N.H., we heard about love and forgiveness in our spiritual and personal lives. We then heard Deacon Jack Carey eloquently remind us about our civic responsibility to help promote a more civil environment in our civic culture. While not addressing the U.S. presidential campaign specifically, you couldn’t help thinking that he was talking about the recent Republican debate and the contentious political aftermath.

With the important first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire in full gear, the message wasn’t lost on the packed church.

Interestingly enough, 3,000 miles away, Pope Francis had just said to 1,500 young adults representing more than 35 countries at the 100th anniversary of the Eucharist Youth Movement at the Vatican, “You should strive to be leaders for good and honor your grandparents. … They can often surprise you with their wisdom and faith.”

We can all learn a lot about the value of hard work and family loyalty from older people.

After Mass, many of us headed over to May Kelly’s Irish Cottage Restaurant in North Conway, along with several of my grandchildren and their parents. Everybody sang happy birthday to my 9-year-old grandson, Braeden. At a coffee shop, a young father introduced himself and asked if I watched the presidential debate. Yes, I did.

“I thought it was informative and entertaining,” he said. “But it’s receiving a lot of negative attention up here.”

I told him you’ve got to look for personal moments of kindness which give people a good insight into the character and personality of the candidates. Sure, there is sometimes political showmanship involved. But we also have to look for the healthy level of respect that the candidates in TV debates demonstrate to the voters and to each other. Unfortunately, the candidates are often reluctant to show their personal and softer side of themselves, but believe me, it’s there.

These clashes between politicians are unhealthy for our political process. That’s why I love listening to older people share their experiences and vision. Just like Pope Francis, and heard again on Sunday in New Hampshire.

While talking to several New Hampshire voters, we were talking about what they were looking for in a new president. One thing for certain was integrity and decency, they said.

What better place to begin a more civil debate in America than right here in the “Live Free or Die” state, I thought.