2003 LETTERS
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Contents © 2003
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
November 2003

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Regarding "Susan Davis Gets Close with Bisexuals" (October).

I have only three things to say about this "article": truly perverted; bizarre; in your face evil! But what else can we expect these very confused days when the Kingship of Christ is rejected nation and worldwide?

Gene De Lallla
Troy, New Hampshire.


GOD WILL BE FINAL JUDGE

I just read the article in the San Diego News Notes (September) about Father Kaicher [see "Kneeling, Standing Tear Parish Apart"]. Reading that article was like experiencing all my meetings with Father Bud. He is arrogant and never admits to a mistake. If you have any complaints about anything including the school my children attend he will basically tell you that you can leave and don't let the door hit you on the way out. As a life-long Catholic it has been a struggle to remain at the church being that we live in Fallbrook and miles from another, but I totally believe that things will catch with Father Bud and I am not really one to judge. I have my opinions on him, but in the end God will be his final judge. The kneeling is just one of the many things that he does without regard to doctrine.

Pat Walker
Fallbrook


SET THE BAR HIGHER

I have been reading News Notes for several years now, and I must say the paper has fallen to a new low of yellow journalism. I find the article (written by Robert Kumpel) on Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie very confusing, hard to follow, and not a good example of persuasive writing. Mr. Kumpel uses unconventional logic, selective quotes; all in an effort to prove how right he is and how wrong Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie are.

First, the article is written from one perspective. There does not seem to be any attempt to interview or give another point of view about the conflict. Second, the article seems to be more about causing hurt out of vengeance and hate than it is to inform. Third, the issue of standing up or kneeling is nowhere near the center of our faith and does not deserve the kind of effort and energy the author is using. Fourth, as an involved parishioner of St. Peter's Catholic Community and having grown up in Fallbrook, I have yet to see this issue tearing the parish apart. Such reporting takes away what credibility News Notes has.

If you want your paper to be a real voice, you must set the bar much higher for articles that appear in News Notre. To read such pettiness is demeaning to you, to your readers, to our faith, and I believe to God.

Even the smaller article on Fr. Del Priore comments of saying "Mother of God" instead of "Virgin Mother of God" and calling the "Altar" the "table" is ridiculous and again petty.

I hope you give future articles more serious thought and choose those which have something better to offer to your readers and our our faith journey.

Gilbert Rodriguez
Fallbrook


WE HAVE NO TROUBLE LEAVING

I have read and enjoyed News Notes for a long time because of Catholic roots and through ties with Marriage Encounter and pro-life activism.

I read your article "When Heaven Can Wait" (September) about Catholic apologetics, all about "His church," the one that has lasted 2,000 years while the Protestant churches have split thousands of times. As a Protestant, I have problems with some of Rosalind Moss's answers, but she won me over with her love and commitment.

THEN I read the article about Dave Swanson's group and Father Bud Kaicher squabbling up in the Fallbrook parish about whether to kneel or stand during the consecration. They seemed to have missed the part where God sees your heart. They are nitpicking about when the bread and wine become the body and blood. Do they really need a tinkling bell to tell them when they are in the presence of Jesus?

I know Dave Swanson, and he is a good man. I know of Father Bud Kaicher (he spent time in jail to save babies). How could this have happened that these two wonderful people are tangling over this?

In my opinion the reason the Catholic Church has not split is because the Catholic Church is worshipped and most would not dream of leaving because of bondage to it and its legalistic ritual. Whereas most Protestants are not as caught up in their denomination and try to keep their focus on God. If they see serious error in leadership or corruption at the core, they don't have as much difficulty leaving since it is not the denomination that they are tied to.

Church service should be as it was in the early church (before the Catholic church was instituted), a place to gather with other Christians to worship and fellowship. God is central in three persons. The church is really Christians gathered together any place, any time, anywhere. At the fellowship where I attend, we have worship music, and you may stand, kneel, or sit as the spirit leads. Then we sit for usually an inspiring sermon and sit for communion.

Anonymous
San Diego


FATHER JOE EXPLAINED

Your paper has been delivered here for some time before I noticed the name wasn't mine. Sorry 'bout that.

Now about your paper:

While I have read it and realize that your type paper is needed in society,and has a right to be here, there is an issue that needs to be addressed and that is your "Roamin' Catholic."

Stanford tends to write in an innuendo type form. While he doesn't outright lie he tends to attempt to leave various impressions that people will misconstrue any way they wish.

His recent article on Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Lakeside, is an example. He did not do his homework and as a result left some foolish errors slop into his article.

The confession booths he refers to were being converted into Reconciliation Rooms that let penitents be heard either "seen or unseen." Had he taken the time to ask he would have been informed.

Father Joe is a very orthodox, Rome-centered Marian Priest. Stanford's implication that he is called "Father Joe" is one of Stanford's ways of implying falsehoods. Father has used "Father Joe" to assist those of us who do not speak Vietnamese to address him reverently yet comfortably. He does not, nor does our pastor allow themselves to be addressed by first names. This is a point Stanford prefers to let readers surmise. Not a lie but a stretch.

We are in agreement on the dress of some of the choir members, however there is more than one Mass and more than one group.

I read your paper and do not judge all the writers by Stanford's methods, he should write his articles in the same vein.

Thank you, in Jesus name, for your time.

F. R. Sprecco
Lakeside


WOULD LOVE TO MEET HARTLINE

I just read your story ["Ex-Gay Takes on His Past"] at San Diego News Notes. I am so impressed with the courage of Hartline! And so impressed with the Jesus who saved him!!!

I am also involved in fighting this battle inside the National Education Association. I would love to meet Mr. Hartline sometime. I live up in the Riverside area.

God Bless you,

Jeralee Smith
Via email

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