LETTERS

LETTERS
May 2004

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ARE THEY CHRISTIANS?

I liked your article on Bishop McGrath's editorial ["It's Just the Gospels," April Faith]. I thought it was a rather odd thing to see from a Catholic bishop. When I see the pronouncements of some of our clergy, I wonder if they are Christians. I would have expected comments about the Gospels like the ones in Bishop McGrath's editorial from a Jewish or Islamic scholar. That is to say, the editorial seemed like something written by a non-Christian who was trying to understand the importance of the Gospels to Christians.

I suppose that Bishop McGrath was downplaying the importance of the Gospels in order to appease those who were accusing the Church of anti-Semitism. But I think that denying the significance of the Gospels in order to address the passing issue of a religious movie was beyond the pale.

The bishop's apology for anti-Semitism that followed his Gospel remarks was painfully embarrassing. In any event, how can Bishop McGrath apologize for any and all injustices that Jews may have received at the hands of the Church? He can apologize for whatever sins that he or his underlings have committed, but it's ridiculous for him to apologize for that plus everything else that may have happened in 2004 years.

Well, I hope I don't see any more of this sort of thing from the diocese of San Jose. But (sigh!) I think my hopes will be dashed.

Thomas E. Dinan, Ph.D.
San Jose


NOT THE WORD OF GOD?

Going through the April issue of the Faith, I have come away with one thought: I am grateful to God that I live where I do and have the parish church that I do. Bishop McGrath leaves me undone if he thinks the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are not historical. What have we been listening to for years and years when the Gospel is read? Is this not the word of God?

Then there was the article about Mayor Gavin Newsom and his taking it upon himself to allow gay marriages and calling himself a devout Catholic. Something wrong with this picture. And to top it all off, once again the "Roamin' Catholic" column -- the thought of some woman making "cute faces" to children as she gives them the Eucharist is appalling. The whole thing is appalling (need I say blasphemous?) in many respects. I can only think that Our Lord must be saying, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."

I happen to live in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley. Our parish church has had perpetual adoration for seven-and-a-half years now, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And we have people who spend an hour with Our Lord and pray in silence. The congregation is silent when they come into the church before Mass on Sundays. There is no talking. The tabernacle is in the center of the church behind the altar. The Mass is celebrated with reverence. The people are in pews. The rosary is recited every morning before Mass. We pray for an end to abortion after Mass has ended. The rosary is recited before one of the morning Masses on Sunday. I am ever grateful for what goes on here and am appalled at the behavior of the people who think they are going to "change" the church. And the priests that encourage this are in need of prayers. One day they will have to answer.

Judy
received via e-mail


IT'S BEEN INTERESTING

I have been receiving "Faith" for some time now and have found it very interesting. Sounds like the liberals have won in your denomination as they have in mine (Methodists -- Democrats in robes). However, I read it less and less so would like to stop delivery. Keep up the good fight!

Gerry Curry,
Fremont


MORE ST. ANNES, NOT LESS

Thank you for your very positive article about St. Anne's Catholic Community in Byron and your positive description of what Father Ron Schmidt is doing to make Byron a center for worshiping Christ in a rural area. [See "It May Not Be Realized Yet," April Faith.]

How, so many will likely ask, can we bring our other parish priests to create the positive Christian approach to Church that exist at St. Anne's? In this day of no religion for so many people, it is refreshing that here is a priest and a parish that attracts people to God. It sounds like a parish that should be emulated by so many others.

In this day, when we are losing priests to retirement and have a lack of seminarians, it is important that the lay people of the parish community be asked to take on the temporal needs of the church. Most priests are not trained in management, finance, group dynamics, etc. If that is what they had wanted to do with their lives, they would have gone to business school. It is important to let the few priests that we have left concentrate on the sacramental needs of the congregation and let the lay people assist with the planning, financial, building, and other aspects of family life.

Thanks again for your very positive reporting. We need more St. Anne's, not less.

Chuck Woods
received via e-mail


LATIN MASS

Our pastor has agreed to offer the traditional Latin Mass one Sunday a month for a year if we find enough people who will faithfully attend. The traditional Latin Mass of Sunday obligation will be offered in Solano County. For information, respond to calgirl19@hotmail.com or phone (707) 447-6980.
received via e-mail

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