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Contents © 2001
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
APRIL 2001

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WHAT ABOUT THE HIDDEN FOUNDATION?

Your newspaper prides itself as the Bay Area's Lay Catholic Newspaper. In order to maintain such a title, we would like to read more on the examples of many Catholics in the middle of the world struggling to keep their faith in spite of the secular attitude of our society. The hidden sacrifice of many mothers rearing, nurturing and educating their children to be strong Catholics against all odds in school, in the streets, overcoming peer pressure etc can be a role model for many young people. We want to read more about them. In the past century, the pope beatified many lay people such as those who brought the faith to Korea, or those who died in Japan such as St. Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino man martyred in Japan whose words brought a strong message to many Catholic Filipinos: "If only I have a thousand lives, I will give them all to God! But this is the only life I have -- I will truly give it still to God!" Several centuries before, we heard a similar case of St. Thomas More. He chose to serve God as his king rather than Henry VIII, so he lost his head. Since the majority of Catholics are simple, ordinary people, we need to be reminded once again that these places are the battleground where our faith is forged, strengthened and fortified. Let us then publish role models where we can identify our own struggles. It takes heroism, and strong faith to live a coherent life nowadays. And there are thousands out there who comprise the silent and hidden foundation of the Church.

Percy Sison
San Francisco


WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

In this article ["Excuse Us," March 2001, Faith], Scott Lively, of the Pro-Family Law Center in Sacramento, is quoted as saying, "The whole premise of homosexuality is that it is an innate condition. This is a false premise that has never been supported by science -- what evidence there is supports the other point of view." The Catechism of the Catholic Church says on p. 566, par. 2357, "Its (homosexuality) psychological genesis remains largely unexplained." And although homosexual acts are declared, "intrinsically disordered", par. 2358 goes on to say, "The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition, for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided." This does not seem to fit with what Mr. Lively states. It would be of interest to know what scientific evidence he refers to that supports "the other point of view" -- what would that be -- that it is an acquired behavior?

Some of these men and women realized they were attracted to the same gender in their adolescent or teen years; others are in their 20's or later. Aren't there heterosexuals who become interested in the opposite sex early in their teens and others who are "late bloomers"? From what I've seen and heard, I believe it is important to become informed and not stay in ignorance and fear of the subject. But above all "respect, compassion and sensitivity" are words to guide us. "What would Jesus do?"

Joan E. Burke,
Sacramento


WHO WATCHES THE STORE?

What Sister Julie Hyer of Dominican Hospital did in regard to closing the natural family planning program ["No Other Option," February 2001 Faith] was cold and calculating, and if I may add ignorant. This is how sick our society has gotten when the word "fertility" could not be used. Fertility is a state of wellness, and is a gift given to us by God. How embarrassing!

This is how the Catholic Church gets the bad rap that we do not care about women, their health, and fertility. And nothing could be further from the truth. The Creighton-Model natural family planning program is an excellent reproductive healthcare program. When explained, most folks can grasp its great potential in reproductive and gynecological health, except for the likes of Hyer and some other Catholic Hospital administrators.

The Creighton-Model offers a highly standardized approach to natural family planning. The training is thirteen months long with a physician involved as a faculty member and supervisor. This is the medical model of natural family planning. The client is referred to her own physician for medical follow-up when necessary, and has the availability of many Creighton-Model medical consultants (physicians) for medical care, referral, and consultation -- this is all by protocol and standard of the Creighton-Model.

The excuse that Penny Jacobi gave that it lacked medical supervision is preposterous. I have enclosed a partial list of many fertility care centers, all which have undergone the name change. I am asking you to print these in my letter. The irony of all this is that with the Creighton-Model the new science of reproductive health, naprotechnology, the hospital would benefit financially and with prestige in women's health. It is foremost in the treatment of infertility just to name one of its benefits. But his begs larger questions. Who watches the store? The abuses of the ethical and religious directives are flagrant. The divergence from mission of the Catholic hospital has been compromised long before this.

Sincerely,

Maureen Scagliotti, RN, NFPP
Fremont

Editor's Note: A list of FertilityCare member hospitals can be found at: http://www.galaxymall.com/health/fcca/


NO OTHER WEEKEND

Two things struck me about the article "No Other Option" [February 2001 Faith] regarding the Monterey diocese cutting off a natural family planning class. First was that Planned Parenthood wanted a teacher for natural family planning methods. Is this the same PP that is the single largest abortion provider in the United States? The same PP that will give your minor daughter contraceptives or an abortion without your knowledge or consent? The same PP that promotes graphic, innocence-destroying, mortal-sin-encouraging classroom sex instruction programs? Is one to believe that on this issue an organization that does so much evil around the world has seen the light? Or could it be that, at least as it is commonly presented and promoted, natural family planning is simply another method of birth control? Look at this another way. Why do people use artificial birth control? They don't want to have a child even though they want to engage in intimate behavior. Why don't they want a child? They may say: I'm too young to be a mother, I'm too old to be a mother, we have all the children we want, we can't afford any more children, now is not a good time to have a baby, etc. Why do people use natural family planning? Isn't it almost always for the exact same reasons? (Please note: I am not referring to those who use natural family planning for serious reasons.)

The second thing that struck me was the headline "No Other Option". Really? How about the radical option of letting God plan your family? Why not see children as a blessing and lovingly accept from God all the children He sends when He sends them. After all, it worked for Catholics for nearly two millennia.

Amy Benitz
Harvard, MA


ELATED TO BE 'BEST PARISH'

I just wanted to write you all to say how elated I was when the February 2001 Faith presented the church survey results where your readers rated best and worst. I am a volunteer tour docent at Mission Dolores parish in San Francisco and whether it's an elementary school or [any other] group visiting, it makes me proud to explain about the basilica, the old mission, museum, and cemetery. To one and all Faith readers, thank you for voting Mission Dolores interior art "Best" and also "Best Parish" in San Francisco. The parish is planning its for 225th birthday June 29, 2001. For more information, please call (415) 621-8203.

Bob Huerta, Volunteer Tour Docent
San Francisco

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