Don't Cover Up Crucifixies

Dear Editor: I read the article where the Bishop of Australia had the crucifix in a hospital room covered because a patient complained. No, no, Christ is the Light of the World. We must not cover the Light. On the contrary let it shine, shine high above the world. It is the sign of our salvation, our Hope, our Love.

Let us instead have processions of reparation along our streets carrying the crucifix high in this wicked world whose ears are attuned to Satan. As Christ said of Medjugorje, “My Holy Cross is Alive with a Living Flame.”

Rose M. Scirghi, SFCC
Brooklyn

Dear Editor: Don’t hide the crucified Jesus!
In 2000, I went with my wife and a Cursillo group to the Holy Land for about a week. We were 28 Cursillistas. We visited a lot of places and were very happy to visit almost every place Jesus was 2,000 years ago.

When we visited the Holy Wall, the person in charge told me in order to visit I had to take off my cross. I told him, “No way!” He insisted. I told him it was impossible to do. I said I wouldn’t visit the place. I reported this incident to our leader. I think this should never happen again.

B.P. Nasser
Long Island City

Religious Brothers Needed

Dear Editor: While it was a pleasure to read about the ministry of Brother Charles Nuzzo, FSC, it was also a bittersweet moment. I was saddened to read that Brother Charles is the sole religious brother teaching in the elementary schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

When I was in elementary school, there were many Brothers teaching on the elementary level. I was educated by the Xaverian Brothers and Sisters of St. Joseph at Holy Name School, Park Slope. The Brothers were more than our teachers; they served as coaches, role models, spiritual guides, surrogate fathers and big brothers to many of us. The seeds of many a vocation were planted by the Brothers in the parish schools.

I pray that Brother Charles might be joined in his ministry by more Brothers before the only experience our young people have of the Brothers is in the history books. Pray for Vocations!

Brother Thomas-Joseph Cole, OFM
East Rutherford, N.J. 

Didn’t Like Cartoon’s Humor

Dear Editor: The cartoon that appeared in the Feb. 10, 2007 issue of The Tablet was in very bad taste. It was insulting to women, men and particularly to hospitality ministers who volunteer to help with taking up the collections at Mass. Why not just eliminate the cartoons altogether? 

Nancy Peck 
Park Slope

Obituary Corrections

Dear Editor: It was brought to my attention that there were a few errors in the obituary regarding the deceased Theresa Mendola.

She was referred to as the “president” of the Third Order Lay Carmelites. She should have been referred to as “director” since the Third Order chapters have no presidents. This may make it appear that the Third Order Lay Carmelites is merely an organization or a club.

Also, her date of death was Feb. 7. The Tablet has Feb. 6.

Deborah Nuzzo
Bay Ridge

Extending a Healthy Peace

Dear Editor: I wish to offer a suggestion to the reader, Doris R. Asmundsson, who voiced her concerns in a letter in The Tablet (Feb. 17) about spreading germs during the flu season by “shaking hands at Mass,” a reference, I presume to be the liturgical Sign of Peace. It is this. Why not employ an older form of this liturgical gesture? I have been using it myself for years. I extend my hands to touch the shoulders of my brother or sister in Christ and say “Peace be with you.” In this way, the liturgical sign is preserved while respecting the health concerns of the faithful.

Father William Hoppe
Woodhaven

Sending Zealots to Deaths

Dear Editor: The recent talk by the pope given in an academic setting has set the world on fire. Muslims have gone on a rampage, murdering priests and nuns and attacking churches. If this is done out of religious zeal, the perpetrators put their religion in a bad light. If it is condoned by the Muslim clergy, they do a disservice to all Muslims.

Clergy, whether Christian or Muslim, are human. They are not immune to temptation or error. However, if they are acting contrary to the tenets of their religion, their superiors or colleagues should correct them.

We know that the slaughter visited on Muslim civilians by fellow Muslims in Iraq is inconsistent with the teaching of the Koran. I have read and reread the Koran searching for anything that will justify the practice of teaching children that Allah will reward them if they strap explosives around their body, go into a market place, board a bus or enter a restaurant and blow themselves up, killing and maiming fellow Muslims. It appears that some Imams are involved in promoting this practice. If this is a worthy endeavor, when will we see an Imam become a martyr? It is time for Imams and Muslim leaders to denounce their brethren who perpetrate, or approve, these atrocities and purge their ranks of those who violate the commands of Allah and employ the tools of Satan in their nefarious work.
If this is a legitimate tactic in a holy war, it is time for an Imam or two to come forward and blow themselves up for the cause. Why do they not join the young suicides in the sacrifice of their lives?

Francis J. Donovan
Hicksville

Time Is Now for Pro-Lifers

Dear Editor: The recent state senatorial race in Suffolk County, L.I., has raised a lot of questions for me.

Maureen O’Connell’s opponent blasted her for opposing a woman’s “right to choose” (sounds so democratic) but he didn’t add “to kill her unborn child.”
It is hard for most of us to believe that the majority of Americans have lost their sense of right and wrong. If an animal is abused or killed, the humane society investigates. If someone is killed, there is an investigation. If it is a criminal offense, the perpetrator is charged. In the case of aborted babies, however, the killers go scott free, and murder has been committed.

There is a heartfelt outcry because our troops are being killed and it is fitting, but, at least, they are protected with the best armor and equipment. The unborn, regrettably have only their mothers’ “protection.” Why is there no outcry for them? Is there any justice for them?

I know many pro-lifers who use their vote for other issues or always vote for the same party regardless of its policies. Then there are those who don’t vote at all; they say it doesn’t matter; their voices won’t be heard. If enough of them did vote, it would matter to politicians because politicians respond to voters. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be elected.

Why do I bring this up? Because the presidential election looms in 2008, and much could be gained. It is a tough fight, and the stakes are high.

Many pro-lifers practice what they preach. They are generous with their time and funds in supporting life centers which need and appreciate their help. But the most valuable of these volunteers are the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants who assist Msgr. Philip Reilly, who stands outside the abortion mill on 43rd St. and Third Ave. (Brooklyn) in bitter cold, in the snow and sleet, and in torrid heat, trying to dissuade women from murdering their babies, and getting in return, all kinds of abuse from some women and passersby.

There are other things pro-lifers can do: attend the bishop’s monthly pro-life Mass and vigil at the abortion mills; pray earnestly that this abomination will be stopped; and vote for pro-life politicians.

Since abortion has become legal, it has become entrenched in our way of life. Civilization is defined as “advancement in social culture.” We look askance at ancient civilizations that offered human sacrifice to their gods. But aren’t we doing the same – sacrificing the unborn to our god, money?

It would be interesting to find out exactly how many innocents have been slaughtered since the ’70s when abortion became a right.

A radio commentator recently remarked that Americans value economics more than ethics – a sad commentary on modern America and I’m afraid it’s true.

Margaret Treacy
Brooklyn

Midwood Says Thank You

Dear Editor: We would like to take this opportunity to thank Linda Busetti for the wonderful article (Jan. 27) she wrote about Midwood Catholic Academy.

We received a very positive response from the article and pictures and we appreciate that it was published in conjunction with Catholic Schools Week.

We thank you for helping us to bring Midwood Catholic to the eyes of the diocesan community and for supporting our efforts to keep Catholic educator alive.
The administration, faculty, staff and students of Midwood Catholic Academy are ever so grateful.

Elena Heimbach
Principal
Midwood