Eucharistic Congress

Dear Editor: Your front page picture of the Eucharist (June 28) being carried in Quebec City brought back vivid memories of the week I spent at the 49th Eucharistic Congress. The variety, splendor, and holiness of the Church was visible in so many ways.

Each day there was catechesis delivered engagingly by prominent cardinals of the Church. After rousing singing led by three young women, we heard witness talks about the Eucharist changing lives. Then the morning concluded with the liturgy of the Mass. We were touched by Christ’s presence in Word, celebrants, sacrament, and assembly.

Workshops followed in the afternoon. Each day we had a theme, connecting the Eucharist to one of the other sacraments. On the grounds where the congress was held, there were two chapels for Eucharistic adoration. It was especially moving to see so many people of all ages silently adoring and spending time with Jesus’ real presence. On the day when the connection between the Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation was the theme, countless people came to the chapels and other places to make their confessions.

The Church in Quebec went all out to make the 13,000 pilgrims feel welcome. Three thousand volunteers were on hand to make everything run smoothly. How inspiring to see the participation of young people, praying, singing, witnessing and performing. Perhaps what took place in Quebec City can be likened to that first Pentecost of the Church. Some 70 countries were represented. Hopefully, each of the pilgrims, led by the Spirit, has brought a spark from their experience in Quebec City to their parishes. The theme of the congress, “The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World,” needs to be reflected upon and lived out by all the faithful.

Brian Zablocki
Ridgewood

Beauty of Folk Masses

Dear Editor: I read with interest the letter in The Tablet (June 21) concerning the renewal of Folk Masses. I am currently a leader of song at a Folk Mass every Sunday morning at SS. Simon and Jude in Gravesend and I also play the guitar and sing at a Folk Mass every Sunday morning at St. Frances Cabrini in Bensonhurst. We don’t have a folk group at St. Frances, but I sing alone with my guitar, and the people seem to appreciate the upbeat but appropriate music at that Mass.

I started out singing Folk Masses when I was a teenager and joined the O.L.P.H. group. I then did a Folk Mass at St. Mary Mother of Jesus for eight years before beginning the Folk Mass at Cabrini. So many people have told me that this music touches their lives, and many parishioners have said that it has made them come back to church. These people are not just the teenagers and younger people, but some of them surprisingly are seniors!

Every summer my family and I drive across America. Wherever we are on a Saturday or Sunday, I make sure to get to a church in that area. Many of the churches I have attended in several states have Folk Masses. The music is absolutely beautiful. Of particular interest to me was one Mass when I was in Prayertown, Texas. A group of sisters, some of them not from the United States, were all singing with guitars and bringing their Folk Mass across Texas. I thought that was a wonderful way to bring the Lord to so many people in such a big state. And they were wonderful and so appreciated.

Although I am a soloist at SS. Simon and Jude and not a member of its folk group, the folk group Mass at that church is also very beautiful and very inspiring. Young people sing in harmony, play guitars, and the result is a very uplifting Mass that makes people feel good and glad that they came to church.

With the dwindling number of people attending many of our Catholic churches these days, if this music is what inspires and brings people closer to the Lord, I say, “Long live the Folk Mass!”

Kathie Bistreich
Brooklyn

Aliens? Why Not?

Dear Editor: Regarding some recent articles on there being “No Support for Alien Life” in many different formats in various papers and magazines, I can only say the following.

The young man was attempting to impress the old professor with his intelligence and in the process belittling those of the past. He stated quite emphatically how ignorant people were then – many actually stupid – to think they believed that the Sun revolved around the Earth.

The old man simply looked at him as he replied, “So, what if it did?”

The Immaculate Conception dogma prior to its acceptance as such was argued vehemently by some of our greatest theologians. It took John Duns Scotus (from whence the term Dunsmen – dunce derived, related to his followers) to point out, “If God so willed it” for one of our great dogmas to be accepted.

Should there be life elsewhere in the universe, it contradicts nothing we now believe but would very much be in keeping with John Duns Scotus and the old professor’s reply to the young man.

Thomas C. Cullinane
Bayside

Call for Annunciation Alumni

Dear Editor: The Class of 1954 from Annunciation School, Williamsburg, recently had a reunion.  Cecile De Vita (406 Metropolitan Ave.) Murgatroyd, the main organizer, has diligently tracked down all but eight of the classmates.  One among the missing is a girl named Elvira Galasso.  Cecile said Elvira and her brother Sammy and their parents lived on Leonard St. She thinks that the father was in the carting business.

I am not a classmate. I am married to Walter Sidas, known, at that time, as Vladas Sidzikauskas, who arrived as a refugee in 1949.

The reunion was just wonderful.  Almost 50 people, including spouses, one very wonderful nephew, who filmed the reunion for his aunt, and a couple of folks from the following class were there.  The grandson of one of the classmates who is a professional “DJ” provided 1950s music!  The elementary school students of the nephew of the same classmate made welcome signs!

Tthe class is looking for: Barbara Allen, Michael Chase, Elvira Galasso, Loretta Guicciardi, Marilyn Marulli, Frances McGlone and Frank Orlando.

Pat Sidas
Williamsburg

Homeless Need More Help

The Queens Homeless Outreach Program of Catholic Charities closed its doors in July 2007. This program which had serviced the homeless on the streets of Queens for 11 years closed 10 months after receiving an outstanding audit indicating program and fiscal stability. It closed because the funding ended as the mayor put the funds into the housing initiative for the homeless.

The program served over 1,000 people at its facility in Jamaica. These people came as referrals from parishes, community organizations and walk-ins. People received help with referrals for shelters and housing. They received transportation to the hospital for the detox from alcohol and substance abuse. They received encouragement to follow up with rehabilitation services. People received help with rent assistance and with personal difficulties that called for the ear of a counselor.

I still remember the man that the security guard didn’t want to admit because of his bodily odor and who through our intervention was brought to the hospital with gangrene. We were told that one week later he would have lost his foot. In addition, this program serviced 1,500 homeless living on the streets of Queens, in the parks, under highway overpasses, near railroad tracks, and in certain parts of an abandoned cemetery. The team engaged them and showed them human dignity offering them a sandwich and juice as well as van transportation to the hospital. These men and women were brought for showers and given clean clothes. Parishes such as Christ the King, Springfield Gardens; St. Matthias, Ridgewood; and Transfiguration, Maspeth, gave clothing on a regular basis. We also received clothes from the Boy Scouts as well as food from Queens College and The Tabernacle of Prayer in Jamaica.

The four people who worked for this program are now working as a chaplain for Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, a social worker, a nurse in a hospital setting and a deacon in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

There is a need to serve the homeless who are not currently being served. I am aware of some good programs that exist such as St. John’s Bread and Life Program and St. Matthias Daily Meals program. In Transfiguration, we have started an outreach to the homeless in Maspeth but it is at the beginning stages and is like a batter taking one step out of the dugout on his way to the plate. I believe a coordinated effort might do some good in reaching out and helping this need. I would appreciate hearing from those who would like to work in this arena. If people could give a few hours every other week or even once a month, we could look at this need in earnest. I can be reached at Transfiguration 1-718-326-2236.

Deacon Arthur Griffin
Maspeth