Letters 01.18.2009

January 18-24, 2009 Issue | Posted 1/12/09 at 8:57 AM

My Generation

Well said (“What ‘Doubt’ Is About,” Daily Blog, Jan. 1). It’s nice to read a Catholic writer of my generation (1980). Your perspective is much appreciated.

In my experience, we perceive the Church and the world in a very different way than our parents and grandparents. They longed for a love that does not smother. We long for definition and truth. They longed for inclusive justice. We long for sanctity and clarity. They grew up with war and overt threats. We grew up among distortions and spiritual poisons. They struggled to understand their enemies. We struggle to understand ourselves.

Vatican II is a dramatic historical moment that seems so very far from my experience, but I know we are still caught in the throes of reaction to it.

Aaron Miller

Spring, Texas

Movable Epiphany

“The Three Kings Come Home” (Jan. 4) by Joseph Pronechen was an enjoyable read. It was interesting to me, who grew up Protestant and only knew of epiphany (with a small “e”) as an “a-ha!” moment, to read about the various Epiphany traditions that some families and parishes celebrate. As a fairly new Catholic (Maronite), I, too, am now looking forward to our parish priest blessing our home this year!

Then there was a phrase that caught my attention. The phrase was “movable solemnity,” and Mr. Pronechen stated that the Church would celebrate Epiphany this year on Jan. 4, the Sunday closest to the Epiphany. However, the Maronite Church does not move its solemnities to the nearest Sunday, and Epiphany was celebrated on Jan. 6. As I mentioned above, I am a Maronite Catholic. The Maronite Church is one of the Eastern Catholic Churches founded from the Church in Antioch. I suspect that the majority of Christians in America do not know, as I did not, that there are 22 Churches that make up the Catholic Church. The Church in Rome and anything west of it is the Roman Catholic Church. Any Catholic Church east of Rome is considered an Eastern Catholic Church (there are numerous Eastern parishes in America). The Catholic Churches in both the East and West make up the whole Church.

It was just an observation, and I am thankful that I could share some of what I have learned of our beautiful Catholic Church. It is larger and more diverse in customs and even liturgical cycles than most of us realize.

Actually, it was this article that urged me to have our home blessed!

I do have one question, though. Why are the solemnities being “moved” to the nearest Sunday? I wonder if something’s not being lost for the sake of convenience. To me, there is something very special about going to Divine Liturgy during the week.

Carie Fortney

Roanoke, Virginia

Editor’s note: The Church’s Canon Law states (Canon 1246):

§1: Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church. Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Epiphany, the Ascension and the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Holy Mary Mother of God and her Immaculate Conception and Assumption, Saint Joseph, the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and finally, All Saints.

§2: However, the conference of bishops can abolish certain holy days of obligation or transfer them to a Sunday with prior approval of the Apostolic See.

In 1983, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops decreed that the holy days of obligation to be observed in the United States are the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God; the Solemnity of the Ascension; the Solemnity of the Assumption; the Solemnity of All Saints; the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception; the Solemnity of Christmas. The Solemnity of the Epiphany shall be transferred to the first Sunday following Jan. 1; the Solemnity of Corpus Christi shall be observed on the second Sunday following Pentecost.

They didn’t publish the reason for the change. The Holy See approved it.

True Hope and Peace

In the Jan. 4 issue letters, James Nagle makes a thought-provoking statement regarding Obama and his mantra of “hope and peace.”

While it is an inspiring thought to think of justice, joy and planting flowers of hope and peace, I feel we need to take a closer look at the president-elect’s personal beliefs.

As much as he has repeated his mantra and paints a positive view of the future, any person who says he is okay with his daughters aborting his grandchildren does not have “hope and peace” in his heart. We also must not forget that this man has surrounded himself with some bizarre characters for many, many years.

Before we change any laws on abortion, we need to see a change in hearts. Any person who defends abortion is at war with him/herself. We will never end wars and find peace in our world until individual hearts find peace by respecting human life at all stages.

Note how those Catholics who defend their votes for pro-abortion candidates skirt the abortion issue when they are questioned. They have been taught by their sources not to discuss abortion, but rather to raise the issue of those being killed in war. They should be told, in response, that a soldier does not make an appointment to kill in war and does not collect any money for killing, as in abortion. Comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. It’s merely a convenient way to change the subject and drop any scrutiny of abortion.

We all long for the day of peace in our world. But we will continue to be sorely disappointed unless the candidates we elect support the most vulnerable from “womb to tomb.” Not only that, but any politician who is so weak that he/she supports abortion shows incredible ignorance and arrogance and is the worst possible person to be placed in a position of leadership. It shows how confused and blind such politicians really are.

I fear the election of Obama shows we will continue to go backward as a nation — unless we pray intensively for hearts to change and for politicians and citizens to embrace Our Lord’s teachings and reject the worldly nonsense we are being fed.

Helen Bressler

Belle Plaine, Minnesota

Pray for the President

I believe in God and country. I am a supporter of Pope Benedict. I also know that Mr. Obama’s job is far more difficult than our Pope’s. Your editorial “Benedict vs. Obama” (Jan. 4) makes it impossible for our future president to match the expected achievements of our pontiff. As a Catholic, I would encourage all to pray and support the efforts of Mr. Obama, as the Pope does, for Jesus himself would not judge a person based on what others have said.

My feeling is that these two unique and remarkable children of God will take the world to new heights of love and morality.

Pete Pumphrey

Adams Township, Pennsylvania

Editor’s note: We, too, have congratulated President-elect Barack Obama, following the example of Pope Benedict XVI. But remember: Our worries about his extreme pro-abortion agenda aren’t based on what others have said, but on what he has said. He promised Planned Parenthood that the first thing he will do in office is sign the Freedom of Choice Act, eliminating all regulations — even safety regulations — on abortion, regardless of state laws. He said he does not want his daughters to have to be “punished” with a baby if they become pregnant. When Rick Warren asked him when he thinks infants obtain human rights, he said the answer was, “Above my pay grade.”

Obama is our president; we recognize his qualities and wish him well — but not blindly.

Americans’ duty is to loyalty where possible and relentless opposition where necessary.

Speak Plainly

Steven Greydanus’ response to Father Joseph Illo’s letter about Madagascar 2 states that the “whole second half of the review — more than 450 words in a 1,000-odd word piece — is devoted to the movie’s subversive sexual themes.”

The problem is the Content Advisory, where he states, “Might be too intense for sensitive youngsters.” Mr. Greydanus, please speak plainly and tell us this movie is not recommended for anyone under 40!

Rhonda Borelli

Los Banos, California

Marriage Facts

In response to the letter titled “Argument Ready” (Jan. 4), lucid arguments against homosexual “marriage” can be obtained from the Ruth Institute at RuthInstitute.org. The Ruth Institute is a nonprofit 501c3 educational organization founded by Jennifer Roback Morse.

The Ruth Institute has a lot of very well-researched information on the benefits for society of marriages between a man and a woman and also the risks to society and freedom of religion from the recognition of gay “marriage.” Information from the Ruth Institute was very helpful in passing Proposition 8 in California.

Roback Morse has a four-part training series in defense of marriage available in CDs or DVDs titled “Same Sex Marriage Affects Everyone.” The talks explain how same-sex “marriage” will “affect you, your family and your church.”

Harold O’Hayre

Glendale, Arizona

‘Mess’ Revisited

I’d like to respond to Frank Cielocha’s letter entitled “What a Mess” in the Dec. 21 issue.  Although I share Mr. Cielocha’s sentiments on the sorry state of affairs in our society and Catholic culture, I don’t share his dismay at what he regarded as the bishops’ lack of leadership before the election. On the contrary, I found the bishops to be refreshingly vocal on matters concerning the election prior to the election. After what seems like several decades of shameful silence, the bishops began shepherding their flock and should be commended for it.

Douglas Parent

Westborough, Massachusetts

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