Thank You For Covering Our Housing Efforts
Dear Editor: On behalf of Father Alonzo Cox, pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and its East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC) steering committee, I would like to thank Paula Katinas for her article “Brooklyn Church Group Backs City’s Housing Push, But Concerns Remain” (July 18).
She understood that EBC is a part of a citywide organization, Metro IAF NY, that has been advocating for affordable housing in the city.
We are presently building truly affordable housing and advocating for attainable reforms at the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA).
However, as the article shows, EBC also addresses very local concerns such as the mysterious rezoning of local property reported in the article.
Our next local issues will be garbage collection and ensuring that the promised improvements in bus service in our community are made.
Participation in EBC is not only effective in civic engagement but a worthy apostolate for the parish.
Father William G. Smith
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Editor’s note: Father William G. Smith is pastor emeritus of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brooklyn Heights.
A Story That Everyone Should Know
Dear Editor: Your recent article (“How the US’s Only Marian Shrine Was Spared in the 1871 Firestorm,” July 18) was wonderful and comprehensive.
It was easy to read and well-illustrated!
It is so important to alert readers to the Peshtigo fire, all the devastation it caused, and the miracle that occurred through the intervention of Our Lady of Champion.
Bill Miller did excellent work on it, and you should be commended for it.
Thank you and I wish you the best of the future.
Dr. Patricia Cholewka
Bay Ridge
Editor’s note: Last year, Dr. Patricia Cholewka led the creation of a devotional space to honor Our Lady of Champion at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Bay Ridge.
Hochul’s Unholy Attack on ‘Mothers’ and ‘Fathers’
Dear Editor: I am writing in regard to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “Gestating Nonsense” (“State Bishops: Veto New Gender-Neutral Language Bill That ‘Mocks’ Family Core,” June 20).
As a Catholic woman and a very proud mother of three children, I am appalled that Hochul wants to erase the words “Mother” and “Father,” and replace them with “Gestating” and “Non-Gestating.”
This is not what God created.
Every person, Catholic or not, should let Hochul know exactly what these two beautiful words, mother and father, mean to them.
Let your voices be heard.
Denise Cutter
Bellrose Terrace
A Wonderful Celebration In Williamsburg
Dear Editor: This feast is blowin’ our minds (“Carrying the Faith: Generations return to Williamsburg to honor Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” (Story, pages 8-9)
Let’s hear it for the New York City Fire Department, which repaired St. Paulinus after some horrible weather.
This event is one in a million.
Congrats again from this Philly Italian gal.
OLMC is something else.
Mary “Philly”
via social media
Editor’s Note: The FDNY assisted with repairs to the St. Paulinus figure atop the Giglio after damage was caused by bad weather during the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast in Williamsburg.