Dear Editor: I was at Mass on Sunday February 24 at St. Anastasia parish in Douglaston, where a homily was given by Deacon Arthur Miller. Deacon Art, is an author, radio host, revivalist and a retired businessman and is a director for Black Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn. He was also involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s. He spoke against hate of other people and how that hate destroys the human soul and the need to respect all people.

He had all the people clapping our hands and singing praise for who we want to be and that is a people who love one another. At the end of the Mass, I was the last person to meet him and shake his hand. I said to him, “Brother, what a beautiful homily you gave,” and I said, “I call you brother because we are all brothers and sisters and members of the same human family.” At that, his eyes open wide and gave me a warm hand shake and a hug from a black man to a white man that understood his message.

I hope all of America can get this message of love.

FREDERICK R. BEDELL JR.
Glen Oaks Village