LETTERS
2001 LETTERS
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Contents © 2001
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
MARCH 2001 LETTERS
ASTONISHED Somehow a copy of December 2000 News Notes wound up in a lunch room of a New York State agency in Albany, New York where I got hold of it. You've got a great little paper there. I was astonished by Father Shaughnessy's hard-hitting Gay Priest article. It was candid and courageous of him to write it and I appreciate that you reprinted it from the Catholic World Report. According to your paper, I can susbcribe to S. D. News Notes for 6 months for free. I would like to do so.
Regina Daly
Leeds, NY
PLANE JANE PERSONA
Re Church Survey Results: Not a surprise that St. Gabriel's in Poway made it onto your recent survey for worst architecture and interior, but when founder Monsignor Charles Dollen helped design the building, he wanted it to be as utilitarian as possible.
By eliminating pews and ornate trappings, opting for movable chairs to accomodate meetings for the community, he focused on building a church that was "for the people" with nothing pretentious. Often he would say, "It's not the building that counts, but the people. This is a church for the people." From a man who always made a point of saying, "You're never late (getting to Mass) at St. Gabriel's," parishoners didn't feel intimidated but understood it was better to arrive late than not at all.
Maybe practical men like Msgr. Dollen shouldn't build churches, but all construction debts were paid in full within five years. St. Gabriel's grew, but always kept that warm and welcoming spirit that, in my opinion, has nothing to do with its "plane Jane" persona, but everything to do with its congregation and the legacy Msgr. Dollen left.
Glad to see our current pastor, Father Mike Froidurot, made it onto the "best sermon" list and was described as "holiest" with his humble, uplifting ways.
Pat Kumpan
St. Gabriel's parishoner since 1973
CHURCHES SHOULD DO THEIR OWN SURVEYS
Thank you for spending the time and effort to conduct the church survey you printed last month. I believe it is important from time to time to find out how minsters can better improve their ministry. the basic points of concern that were printed in your newspaper were relatively small and easily rectifiable.
Unfortunately, there may be some individuals (perhaps some of them ministers of music/word) who will perceive the survey as an attack only to concede with a negative response. To these individuals, I respond that we must always remember that the liturgy is a celebration for all present. From the priest down through the parishioners, we all have roles.
Sometimes, however, these roles may be overlooked. It is at those times that you receive responses to church surveys that reach out for help in remedying a problem (antiphonal music, sermons need help, etc.). It can be from one person; perhaps a whole church of individuals. The News Notes survey may have been more public than some individuals would have desired, however, I believe this shows that a) a common problem may not limited to the boundaries of one church's doorsteps, and b) certain churches do not process internal surveys.
In any case, I encourage all ministers of the church to take a yearly challenge. Communicate with your parishioners as Christ would have communicated with his followers. At a minimum, send out an internal survey to find out "how we are doing." Better yet, after church services, communicate with the parishioners (some churches have a gathering afterwards ... donuts and coffee). Find out if parishioners feel like they are truly worshiping or acting as benchwarmers. Develop a liturgy that will embrace all worshipers closer to God; not a select few. Thank you again for the survey.
SanPaulo Rossilini Bernstein
San Diego
WHERE WAS THE CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE?
I was saddened after reading the article "Never, Ever Do Jingle Bells" in the February edition. I couldn't help but wonder, what was the pupose of the article and survey? In my opinion it was used to tear down good people with harsh criticism and negativity. Where was the Christ-like attitude that is expected from my fellow Catholics? I am hoping that the people who wrote so pasionately about their dislike for the musicians, choirs, decor, sermons, etc. will follow up with personal involvement in their parishes in order to make improvements in these areas. Let us remember the need for unity as St. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:12-31, "You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.
M. Cham
El Cajon
FROM FATHER MARX
Your January, 2001 San Diego News Notes was excellent. I am including $50 for your work. In Domino,
Fr. Paul B. Marx, OSB
Collegeville, Minnesota
GOLDWATER VS. FALWELL
Your article on Stenberg vs. Carhart [re-printed from First Things in February News Notes -- ed.] was much needed. One recalls that when Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by Ronald Reagan, the one loud dissenting voice was that of Jerry Falwell. Her sponsor, Barry Goldwater, made some vicious remarks against Falwell, and the Senate went on to confirm her. In her assent to partial-birth abortion we have the results. Reverend Falwell was on the mark then and has been on many other issues.
What is hidious about partial-birth abortion can be seen in all forms of abortion. But beyond that, we must see that the rage for contraception has reduced life to nothing throughout the world. Why are there all these sick, maladjusted, vicious, contemptible women with hard faces and virago appearances throught the world? We see this phenomenon of hardness and viciousness in women growing in direct proportion to their attitude toward life. The empty womb portends the empty soul and the dried-up mind. Women have forsaken their God-ordained functions. They have their careers and their money but nothing else.
Anonymous
San Diego
I DON'T COLD-CALL FOLKS
Hello, my name is Eve, and I have been reading your paper since the early part of 2000. Your focus on the issues of our religion have been insightful, straightforward and appealing to read. As much as you're able to bring worldwide news into our community I would like to thank you from my home. A few months back I studied and got my license as a real estate agent. Since then, getting a client has been tough for me since I don't cold-call folks at home and it's too annoying for the callers to be receiving such calls. Therefore, I've been taking it day-by-day with this career and I was extremely grateful to read that News Notes was giving the opportunity to advertise for free.
Thank you very much!
DEFENSE OF EULOGIES
I would like to disagree with James Hitchcock (see "Last Things: Do Eulogies Belong in Catholic Funerals?", January 2001, News Notes). I recall when John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and John Kennedy, Jr. died, the eulogy was part of the Mass and was expected.... Why so for the wealthy and so-called famous and not for the common man?
When my father died, I recall that a eulogy could have been a healing process for myself and my relatives. My father was a fallen-away Catholic, but he did receive the anointing of the sick, and others should have heard of this in a eulogy. Most recently, I was called to give a eulogy for my godfather/uncle at the cemetery, and since it was rooted in faith, prayer, and in hope, it was an important part of showing to others God's love.
Eulogies said in church, during or after Mass, or at the cemetery should not be silenced because one doesn't see it as a step to get closer to God.
Craig Galik
Duquesne PA
CHILDREN SHOULD BE GRATEFUL
Don't let critical reader reaction influence your efforts to educate the public on the truth about partial-birth abortion, abortion clinics, etc. As per the children, they should know what can happen to the unborn and be grateful it didn't happen to them. Until we convince the public of the blood-bath going on under our noses, the unborn will continue to be a gruesome statistic.
Robert Doane
Wood Dale IL