Prayers for the City 

Dear Editor: The myriad of everyday problems people face in the city: Subway and street violence, collapsing cranes, a public school system in disarray, while hundreds of illegal migrants continuing to come, causing more economic stress. 

It’s further troubling when faced with increasing fares for mass transit, and tolls for bridges and tunnels. 

To sum it all up, New York is not the place I want to be. 

More and more people are saying “hasta la vista” and are moving away from all of this madness and mayhem. 

God help this city. Get out your rosaries and start praying, folks. We are all in big trouble. 

John Amato 

Fresh Meadows

---

 The St. Isidore School Question 

Dear Editor: I’m a firm supporter of the concept of Catholic schools, having with my wife sent both of our boys to all three levels of Catholic education: elementary, high school, and Catholic college, and it wasn’t cheap. 

We could have saved a lot of money if we had sent them to the available New York City public schools and just enrolled them in our parish’s religious education program, which is very good. 

But I don’t support the decision of the Oklahoma bishops to start a charter school supported by state funds. 

I know that state funding is a desirable goal for almost every diocese in America which is faced with the sad and locally distressing need to close too many schools that have been around for generations. 

It started years ago with state help for purchasing school books, and then with access to the system of buses for public school. 

I’m not against any of that, but I just don’t understand how a school like St. Isidore can call itself a true “public” school “available to everyone” when its teaching about the Blessed Trinity, for example, or about the fact that Mary’s body was taken up physically into heaven, where it remains to this day, will not be hidden from those non- Catholic religionists whom they say are welcome to attend. 

Or will this bedrock Catholic doctrine be forced to yield in order for the state of Oklahoma to not appear to be “respecting an establishment of religion [Catholic doctrine and dogma]” with its charter school taxpayer dollars? 

Like Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, I too welcome a court challenge to settle the question one way or the other, and I don’t feel anger toward those who do challenge St. Isidore’s current status. I just want to see the question settled. 

Garrett Dempsey 

Whitestone

---

 Thanks Weigel for Insights on World Youth Day 

Dear Editor: George Weigel hit an important note in his look at World Youth Day 2023 — there seemed to be an emphasis on ecumenism and a lack of emphasis on Jesus. 

This was my take as I watched the pope’s remarks at the opening ceremony. In it he notes that Jesus never turned anyone away and that all are welcome in the Church. 

Of course, this has always been the case. Jesus called everyone. The call to everyone is just the beginning of Jesus’ message. The rest of the message, and some of the most important aspects of Christ’s teaching, is that of conversion. 

Yes, come as you are, but once you are here, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). 

Leaving repentance, our sinfulness, and conversion out of the equation would be a deception and those who preach the welcome message without it are leading others astray. Many of them, rather than teach repentance and conversion, instead try to redefine the sin. 

Compassion for sinners does not mean we condone their sin. 

Jesus’ message of conversion is for the whole world. But, like he told the woman caught in adultery (as well as others), “Go, and do not sin again” (John 8:11). 

Tom Klocek 

Chesapeake, Va.

---

The Last Supper Recreated 

Dear Editor: Anyone who knows Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello and his background knows he is an excellent chef. How interesting to see his research and recreation of the Last Supper foods. 

Most of us just think of the central menu items of bread and wine, but of course there would have to be more items on the menu. It was so interesting to see just what those items were: the lamb, the fish, the olives, of course, the pita bread, and the matzah. 

I appreciate monsignor’s efforts to bring us this very interesting piece of information, not only to research it but to actually prepare it and knowing his talent I’m sure it was not only a bit of sacred history but a tasty treat. 

Maria F. Mastromarino 

Manalapan, NJ