Making Church Accessible

Dear Editor: I read with interest your article on Father James Bradley (Oct. 27). I also read your editorial the previous week on affordable housing.

As one who has a disability, I want to express concern over the lack of affordable and accessible housing for us. Also, there are still many churches that do not provide accessibility for parishioners who are elderly and/or disabled. We have to make improvements for people who cannot climb steps.

Thomas Cammarata
Woodside

The Blood of the Unborn

Dear Editor: Recently, I heard excerpts of a speech by the renowned James Dobson (Focus on the Family), at a function in his honor in the nation’s capital. There’s one sentence I’d like to share because it is still impacting me. “The blood of 45 million unborn babies cries out.”

I think it is time for all Christians to send a message to all pro-abortion candidates by not casting a vote for any one of them. And not be bamboozled by the pro-choice rhetoric they use. Now more than ever before we must have the courage of our convictions. It’s time to stand up!

Mr. Dobson credited Catholics for being the first to valiantly oppose this abomination from the beginning. The Constitution states that there should be a separation between church and state. Nowhere does it say that there should be a separation from God!

Mary Ann Zoleo
Bay Ridge

Correcting a Typo

Dear Editor: Thank you for publishing my letter under the title “The Party of Civil Rights” (Oct. 27).

However, there was one typo. The last sentence should have read: “I have never met a Democrat who regretted the party’s decision on civil rights.” The word silence was used instead of decision.

Thanks again.

Tim Driscoll
Park Slope

More on Centering Prayer

Dear Editor: In his column, Father Robert Lauder has provided a clear explanation of Centering Prayer and his involvement with the prayer. We thank him for that.

There are many people in Brooklyn and Queens who have also found this prayer to be beneficial in developing their relationship with God and in living their daily lives.

Father Thomas Keating has developed the Contemplative Outreach to provide support for those practicing Centering Prayer. There are introductory workshops, retreats, and day programs to teach and deepen the practice of Centering Prayer offered throughout the world and specifically here in the New York Metropolitan area. There is a very active chapter of Contemplative Outreach of Long Island/Queens that holds many programs. Many parishes hold weekly Centering Prayer groups that are open to interested persons.

Specific information may be readily accessed on the website:

www.contemplativeoutreach.org. The international office phone number is 973-838-3384.

Joan Kovacs
Bayside

Dear Editor: I’m glad we receive a subscription of The Tablet and that my wife spotted Mary Griffin’s letter in the Readers’ Forum prior to Friday because the very same day three people from our parish already brought it to my attention — a Parish Planning Council member, the leader of the Pro-Life Committee of our local Knights of Columbus Council and a former Grand Knight of the Council, and a past leader of our Holy Name Society.

Centering Prayer was presented to our parish in 1991 and a number of our parishioners, as well as members of the local K. of C. Council, have been introduced to this method of prayer over the years. Contemplative Outreach Ltd., as well as a former guest writer of your publication, Father Basil Pennington, OCSO, advocated its use. Tablet reporter Roger Payne interviewed a practitioner of Centering Prayer and attended a gathering of Centering Prayer practitioners in preparation for an article. Unfortunately, Roger died within months of his visit to the group and his article never appeared. Contemplative Outreach is one of the ecclesial movements taking part in the Mass of Unity at St. James Cathedral with Bishop DiMarzio on Dec. 1.

Mary Griffin's letter has created a little stir among those of us who are advocates, facilitators, and practitioners of this form of prayer. Sometimes a little stir is healthy. A number of e-mails have been flowing to and from members of Contemplative Outreach.

Centering Prayer, an updated form of the prayer teachings of earlier times, does not seem to get as much publicity as some other traditional forms of prayer and practice. Perhaps this is because its practitioners seem to have a lower profile. As a practitioner of this form of prayer for going on 17 years, I am an ardent advocate. I spent 49 years in the field of human services, most as a social worker. Centering Prayer has helped me dismantle habits and obstacles that not only hindered my spiritual growth but interfered with my professional practice. Had this not been the case, I would not feel the need to promote its use whenever I can. It has taught me much about relationships, beginning with my relationship with God.

I remember hearing that even negative publicity is publicity, so maybe we owe a debt of thanks to Mary Griffin for writing and to you for printing her letter and providing a response.

Father Thomas Keating’s book “Open Mind, Open Heart” is a work that would provide someone with an interest in Centering Prayer with a good explanation of its practice.

Donald J. Young
East Elmhurst

Disgusted by Pat Robertson

Dear Editor: I am absolutely disgusted with Pat Robertson because he is supporting Rudolph Giuliani! I don’t know about you but I’m not going to watch “The 700 Club” or give another penny to that organization. Need I remind everyone that Giuliani crossed party lines when he supported pro-abortion Gov. Mario Cuomo in the 1990s. Now is not the time to be silent. Now is the time to speak out against Giuliani and other liberals who want to be the “Pontius Pilates” of America.

Michael Mullaney
Bayside

Popular Sunday Celebrant

Dear Editor: I write this letter to tell you about a marvelous priest who comes to Holy Family Home in Brooklyn every Sunday to celebrate Mass.

His talks go straight to the hearts of the residents and family members.

He is very busy since he is a priest at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst, but he never fails to come to say Mass for the residents at Holy Family Home.

His wonderful personality, his kind ways and his gentle heart reach every one of the people in the chapel.

His name is Father Gerald Umoren.

Peggy O’Halloran
Brooklyn

C.K. Scholar Merits Mention

Dear Editor: I would like to bring to your attention an error in The Tablet (Nov. 10) in the Youth section. Although my daughter, Jessica Guarneri, was included in a photo featuring CK’s National Recognition Program Scholars, she was not one of the recipients of the Hispanic/African American Recognition Program.

Rather, my daughter was recognized by the College Board as a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, identifying her as one of the 50,000 highest scorers, out of 1.4 million in the nation, who took the PSAT in her junior year. She was the only student in her school who received this distinction in her graduating class of 2008.

Naturally, my husband and I are very proud of this accomplishment, as we are with all her achievements.

Elfrieda Guarneri
Ridgewood