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Contents © 1999
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
APRIL 2000

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IF IT QUACKS LIKE A PARISH

There are two sayings that come to mind after reading Father's ["name withheld"] letter to the editor regarding St. Thomas More and Elder Care Alliance by Eric Reslock. The first is: If it quacks like a duck and waddles like a duck, chances are, it is a duck. The second is: Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Father purports to know something about which he, in fact, knows little.

According to letters printed in our bulletin, Archbishop Levada created St. Thomas More as a quasi parish. It is permitted, entitled and encouraged to provide sacraments and Christian burial without permission from neighboring "real" parishes to which Father refers to repeatedly. Our elementary school, according to a letter from the archbishop is under the direction of our pastor. In the same letter the archbishop stated that it was his intention to erect our church as a university parish.

People, even those who disagree, are entitled to be heard with respect before being subjected to the power of authority. Too bad that was not the case with this Elder Care/Sisters of Mercy development or with the pastoral plan for our archdiocese. Now, as then, the plan was the plan before the plan. "Discussion" and "consultation" with the Catholic laity and clergy consisted of informing people of the plan. It was, and continues to be, flawed to all those except the elite who conceived and birthed it. Ask your priest. Sad too is that the S.F. planning commission, who twice rejected this development, finally knuckled under to pressure and ignored repeated efforts to address adequate parking, traffic flow and safety issues and concerns.

Last, but not least, since "Fr. name withheld" is so interested in errors and misrepresentations, I hope he corrects Father Schlitt's assertion in the article that the archdiocese is not making any money on this development. The archdiocese seeks to gain between 2 and 3 million dollars from the lease of "their" property. It certainly isn't chump change and makes one wonder if the "low attendance" excuse was the real reason behind the closure in the first place, doesn't it?

Paul Desmond
San Francisco


ST THOMAS MORE A QUASI-PARISH

RE: St. Thomas More. The unknown who claims to "know" is in error himself. St. Thomas More is a quasi-parish. Archbishop Levada acknowledged that none of the criteria for closing the churches applied to St. Thomas More. The property was viewed as a parish for forty-plus years. Suddenly the view changes? [When] the church reopened, Archbishop Levada came, celebrated Mass, and addressed us as the community of St. Thomas More parish. Since the archbishop knows funeral services are held at St. Thomas More, do you mean he is wrong in allowing it? What about the priests who have come to St. Thomas More to conduct funeral services? Are they also wrong? How dare you call these people [Friends of St. Thomas More] troublemakers!

Anonymous fax


ARCHBISHOP WRONG ON ST THOMAS MORE?

Response to "unidentified" priest of S.F. diocese ( I thought it was an archdiocese -- there is certainly something "arch" about it). I am one of many seniors who attend St. Thomas More CHURCH. Archbishop Levada addresses us from the pulpit of the church. He said over and over at St. Thomas More "PARISH". Are you correcting the archbishop? I don't think he will like that.

(Name withheld because you withheld yours. However, I have no fear of reprisal. Have you?).


HLI NEEDS SUPPORT

Re: "Human Life International No-show?"(Feb. 2000 Faith). Let us be cautious in giving play to rumors regarding HLI's current situation. Yes, HLI is in a period of transition. However, the organization is making great strides in improving their effectiveness and efficiency in using their donors' contributions to combat the virulent culture of death all over the world.

I have spoken with Father Richard Welch, president of HLI, on the telephone. He assures me that there is no plan to undertake a major, expensive public relations campaign that would siphon funds away from their lifesaving work.

Let us keep HLI in our prayers and support them. Who else is fighting the UNFPA and the IPPF around the world? If HLI were forced to cease, or greatly curtail, its efforts because of donor desertions, who would step in to continue the fight overseas?!

Sincerely,

Larry H. Burdoin
Boise, Idaho


RESTORATION VIDEO

I thought your Catholic readers (and possibly others) might be interested in a new video I just saw. It's called, "What We Have Lost...and the Road to Restoration." It was produced by a traditional Catholic lay group in Arizona, and documents the many changes that have taken place in the Catholic Church since the close of the Second Vatican Council in 1965. For example, the video uses before and after pictures to show the destruction of church architecture, inside and out. And it tells how church statuary and art have been lost and how the music has been secularized.

True, a lot of the video is not pretty. Seeing churches bulldozed, hearing rock music at Mass, and seeing priests wear Mickey Mouse ears and dancing the limbo in the sanctuary may be more than some people want to know about. But it's not all bad news. The video also offers hope and inspiration to those who are broken-hearted over the present state of the Church and suggests what they can do about it.

I wish all Catholics could get this video. No doubt some won't like it, that's their choice. But to most Catholics, it'll be a real eye opener. If any of your readers want more information, they should contact the Arizona group by writing to ISOC, Box 17984, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269. Or they can call (480) 471-9009.

Sincerely,

Pat Mullins
Mission Hills

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