I Have Questions
Dear Editor: Dear God, how are you? I am fine. Well, actually I’m not fine.
I don’t get it; You say ask and you will receive … knock and the door will be opened. How much more asking do the people caught in the wars have to do to get You to hear them?
And if You hear them, when are you going to answer their prayers? And mine? And the countless other good people who are persistently knocking at your door?
What do we have to do to get you to stop the killing and the destruction and the terror and the fear?
Come on, God. Some of us are trying to get ready for Jesus’ birthday by getting gifts to echo the Gift You gave us when you gave us Him. And others are trying to dig out their loved ones from the rubble of war. It’s not fair!
I know I shouldn’t be questioning your wisdom, but I can’t help it and I hope you don’t take this letter the wrong way but I could use some help, or maybe it’s trust that I could use more of, or faith.
I just don’t get it. Respectfully yours,
Father Michael Perry
Douglaston
Catholics, Please Return to Mass
Dear Editor: I was reading in this week’s Tablet that Bishop Robert Brennan is seeking to alter scheduling for Sunday Mass (“Bishop’s Letter Looks to Alter Scheduling for Sunday Masses,” Dec. 9).
This is due to lower attendance in the Diocese of Brooklyn. The article is written by Paula Katinas, who mentions the numbers have fallen by 40% in the past five years.
As a Catholic and grand knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 in Douglaston, I am greatly saddened.
I personally find it most rewarding to worship with my fellow parishioners, and believe those who don’t attend are missing an available opportunity to worship our Lord.
As Catholics I think it is time to engage in spreading the word. All you need to do is ask a friend, relative, or a neighbor to attend Mass with you.
Let us not be afraid to open up about our faith and our love for Jesus.
Finally, remember what it says in Matthew 9:37, where Jesus said, “The harvest is abundant but the workers are few.”
Well, as Catholics, let us bring in the harvest.
Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
Essential Article about Nuclear Disarmament
Dear Editor: My deepest thanks to The Tablet editors and National Correspondent John Lavenburg for the recent article informing readers about the statement from the U.S. and Japanese bishops concerning the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (“US, Japanese Bishops Hail UN Summit on Prohibiting Nukes,” Dec. 2).
The treaty was the subject of an important U.N. gathering at the end of November.
Pope Francis has declared the possession of nuclear weapons immoral, as we are approaching the 80th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States, the only nation thus far to have done such a thing.
Thus the bishops of Sante Fe, Seattle, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki are calling Catholics and the whole world to the awareness and repentance we desperately need.
And the article demonstrates that the banner at the top of the page identifying The Tablet as “The Pro- Life Newspaper” is entirely accurate, since nuclear war is one of the greatest threats to God’s creation in the history of our planet.
So, yes, my deepest thanks.
Marian Ronan
Ditmas Park
Wonderful Retreat
Dear Editor: In these times of turmoil, war, and sadness, I relished October’s religious retreat at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, which was meditative, exhilarating, nurturing, and life-changing.
I was grateful to be able to relax and reconnect with my Catholic faith in a quiet, reflective space, and in the presence of many others with similar beliefs.
Shutting out the world, even for a few days, rejuvenated me and intensified my love for God and the Blessed Mary, while I prayed for peace immersed in melodic music, thoughtful readings, and introspective and fun group sessions with Msgr. David Cassato.
Sonia Valentin
Bensonhurst