God Is Always Present

Dear Editor: I am writing you because I feel this is a great story as we celebrate the Easter season and The Tablet is a great forum to share great stories.

I have been thinking a lot about last week’s Gospel and the fact that Thomas spent so much time with Jesus in His life and still doubted. I thought about how in times of trial, or even in good times, I sometimes wonder how and if God’s hand is in what is going on. Honestly, I think too that if Christ is trying to tell or teach me something and I’m not getting it, is it from Christ? These doubts are so much like Thomas’ that I wonder if I am being faithful and doing all I can or am I saying in effect “To believe I have to see.”

Then I received a call from a 15-year-old boy named Jonathan. I have known him and his family for a long time. They are good friends that I made in my parish. Jonathan was born with several disabilities, all of which he is struggling to overcome. He is paralyzed over half his body. But on some of the other disabilities, he has made good progress.

The result of these disabilities has left Jonathan bearing the brunt of bullying and teasing. He reacts as most young people do in his situation, with caution, fear, then anger. His frustration and disappointment with some of his peers and adults at times causes him not to want to go to school. His parents often have a fight on their hands getting him up and dressed because there is nothing for him to look forward to at school. These are his feelings; understand Jonathan is a great student averaging mid 90s (not special ed.). He loves to learn and his teachers like him.

One day, Jonathan was on the Internet and he Googled bullying, and a link www.jaredstory.com came up and he clicked on it. He read the life of Jared High, a 13-year-old boy who, as a result of bullying, committed suicide. Jonathan was so taken with the boy’s story that he asked his Dad, then myself, a question: “Did Jared go to hell?”

Then he said something incredible, “If I offer up the rest of this school year for him – I will get up, not complain, get dressed, go to school, work harder than ever, be friendly, no matter what happens, no matter if I really don’t want to – will it help Jared get into Heaven?”

Jonathan and I talked a long time and as a result I have a new hero. God is everywhere and He moves everything around us and reminds us that He is present if we would only be aware. Jonathan’s life experiences — Googling, the link, and his faith have all led him to this point. This 15-year-old, while not sure, is confident that God through His Son, Jesus Christ, is merciful.

I have no doubt that the hand of God is moving and shaping us through life experiences to be able to respond to each other with compassion and love. I also realize that God understands me better than anyone and he does allow me to “see” Christ…. all I need to do is have my eyes open.

Deacon Matthew Oellinger
Floral Park

Gift of German Catholics

Dear Editor: Thank you very much for printing the article (March 22) by Beth Griffin citing Germans’ contributions to New York.  Being Catholic and German in N.Y. certainly puts me into a minority.  My family’s German background is often something to be ashamed of and not a source of pride.

 
The opening statement of Ms. Griffin’s article has been a true source of dismay for most German Americans living in N.Y.  Germans still have a tremendous presence in the Big Apple. However, it is the media and all others that choose to ignore it. Although my husband and I were born in Brooklyn, we have sent each of our sons to a German-American Language School once a week for 11 years. Our sons actively dance in Schlierachtaler Stamm’s Schuhplattler Group where they promote German dancing. We regularly dance at German events in churches and the Plattdeutsche Park Senior Home (an old age home for Germans). We also regularly attend German events at Gottscheer Hall in Ridgewood.  

One event in particular is the “Altes Bescheerung,” which is an afternoon devoted to giving gifts to those people who have reached the age of 70 and above. The afternoon is spent with children reciting German poetry, playing out the Nativity, singing German Christmas carols and reviewing all the Catholic feast days of the year – emphasizing the saints and their relevance.  

As for the pope meeting someone German, it is sad that his heritage is being ignored. When Pope John Paul II came to N.Y., the Polish community was embraced to greet His Holiness. Tickets for this year’s Mass were given out at my parish during a week when my husband and I were out of town. Unfortunately, since the German community has not been contacted, the pope’s Bavarian background will go unnoticed.  

Debbie Krauland
Flushing

Sister’s Work Continues

Dear Editor: Sister Jane Talbot, RSM, from our parish, Our Lady of Grace, Gravesend, has been in the Maria Regina Residence, Brentwood, since 2007.

In her absence, the Pastoral Ministry Office secretary and various volunteers: Elizabeth Balchus, Josephine Bova, Marguerite Byrnes, Marie Campbell, Antoinette Catalano, Barbara DeMayo, Elizabeth DiMola, Dr. Angelina DeRosas, Anthony Marinello, Jackie Murphy, Joanne Pacuk, Belle Pineda, Lucille Pastore, Patricia Perkins, and Ralph Samma are still helping the homebound and others in need.

The other groups she started: Bereavement Group, Food Pantry, Home Care, Ministry to the Homeless (which feeds 40 people on Wednesdays), Prayer Group and Thrift Shop — are still thriving under the direction of their leaders and volunteers.

Although we miss her presence, we still feel her spirit in the parish. It is a tribute to Sister Jane that these groups are still going strong.

Mary Ann DeLuca
Gravesend

Enjoys Father Cush’s Homilies

Dear Editor: Thank you so much for bringing back Father John Cush as a weekly writer for the “Sunday’s Scriptures” column. Father Cush brings a fresh perspective to the Scripture, both young and old alike can easily understand. His use of metaphors always provide a chuckle from his personal stories.

We are lucky to be able to hear Father Cush preach on occasion. His written articles and homilies never disappoint. We can only imagine what an impact he has as a teacher at Cathedral Prep and on the future priests of our diocese. He shows great reverence to his task and his message is able to touch all who hear it. We look forward to reading The Tablet each week, especially Father Cush’s witty and enlightening column.

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick J. O’Beirne, Sr.
Park Slope

Invitation to Dialogue on Race

Dear Editor: Often, both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama have told us that there is more that unites them than separates them. Both add that there are differences. Perhaps one of these is in their style of leadership.

Last week, Sen. Obama invited all Americans to look at discrimination honestly. He urged us to share in and listen to the pain, suffering, anger and exclusion suffered by many because of racism. In his refusal to totally reject his pastor and any whose anger is still alive from the pain and injustices they have suffered, he showed us that dialogue won’t happen if persons are excluded. Is this not also true for nations?

Sen. Obama offers us a better way. In his campaign he has often told us that, as president, he will reach out to all, friends and potential enemies. This is a sharp contrast to “the axis of evil.”

Like the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Sen. Obama will look for a common ground. This is the ground where anger is healed and conversion happens. It is the fertile soil where forgiveness and reconciliation take root. It is a message of hope, a new way.

We have been invited to embrace this way regarding racism and the many other injustices that divide us and keep us from becoming one nation under God. Sen. Obama also challenges us as a nation to lead in restoring right relationships with all nations. Can we exchange our thirst to be number one in power and control to become first in love and compassion? We can, but will we?

Sister Mary McConnell, CSJ
Brentwood

‘Juno’ Was a Great Film

Dear Editor: “‘Juno’ is not a great film?” I disagree with the letter from William Gray in your March 29th edition. I cried throughout that movie about teenage pregnancy, wondering what the girl would decide without advice from anyone as she wisecracked her way through, covering up the emotions she was feeling.

If some teenagers could also experience this “roller coaster of emotions” as one ad called it, wouldn’t that be an educational experience, or more awareness of Juno’s plight? The lighthearted approach pulled teenagers in, as did an Oscar-worthy performance by the talented Ellen Page. It was great!

Jean Roth
Queens Village