Dear Editor: Now that Pope Francis has suggested some changes to the “Our Father,” how about some changes to the “Hail Mary”? As a parent, former teacher, and coach, I always looked to reinforce the positive in those children who were entrusted to my care.
Letters to the Editor
We welcome letters to the Readers’ Forum, but they must include (for verification purposes) the writer’s full name, home address and phone numbers. Letters with incomplete information won’t be considered for publication. Your name may be withheld upon request, after verification is completed. Letters signed simply “Name Withheld” are not considered for print. Letters should be as brief as possible, and, of course, all letters are subject to editing. Letters containing the proviso “Do Not Edit” also are not considered. You can submit your letter by clicking the button below.
Father McGovern’s Joy
Dear Editor: I was very saddened to read of the death of Father Eugene McGovern.
True Colors of Congress
Dear Editor: As the Republican Congress moves toward a massive redistribution of wealth to the extremely rich, I think we should be grateful to Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) for telling us what they really think of struggling American working people.
The Land of Israel
Dear Editor: Political propaganda should not be confused with the truths of the Bible which we all believe in. Rosemarie Pace may have a problem with saying that Bethlehem is part of Israel, but the Holy Scriptures make clear that Saul, David and Solomon were Kings of Israel. David was from Bethlehem which in Hebrew means City of Bread. That has been the city’s name from Biblical times. The Bible also makes clear God’s covenant with Abraham regarding the Land of Israel and its promise to his descendants
The Gift of Arthur
Dear Editor: Sister Ave Clark, O.P. has written a memoir dedicated to her friend Arthur Mirell, who died on Easter Sunday 2017 at the age of 70. Arthur had known Sister Ave for more than 10 years. He was a convert to the Catholic faith and was a much loved and admired parishioner of St. Jude’s parish in Brooklyn.
Greenpoint Roots
Dear Editor: My sincerest gratitude for your centerfold tribute to the centennial of the parish of SS. Cyril and Methodius parish, Greenpoint, which was literally the heart and soul of the first decades of my life, as surely for many, and which formed in me the Polish identity which I still cherish.
Bethlehem in Palestine
Dear Editor: I was very pleased to read the article (Dec. 2), “Scouts Bring Peace Light to Diocese from Bethlehem,” except for one glaring phrase.
Youth Minister’s Thanks
Dear Editor: Gratitude and thanks are due to Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, Paul Morisi and the Generations of Faith Fund.
Devil as a Scapegoat
Dear Editor: Evil is real and a product of Original Sin. While Baptism forgives Original Sin, a person still has the free will to access the evil within. Ascribing this evil to an entity outside of oneself, like a devil, minimizes the responsibility of the individual in confronting his or her evil intentions and actions.
Heavenly Fashion
Dear Editor: Perhaps I am becoming a bit prudish in my old age, but I just read that the Theme for the 2018 Met Gala is “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” The article said there would be clothing on display from the Sistine Chapel and the event was meant to draw attention to the religious works at the Met.