Back to Traditional Values
Dear Editor: The Church bishops and the Diocese of Brooklyn are now examining ways to make the faithful show more reverence towards the Eucharist.
Since the Second Vatican Council, the adoration of the Eucharist has been greatly reduced and much of this has to do with the Church’s loss of traditional values.
To bring back the adoration of the Eucharist, why not bring back those traditional values:
In many churches the tabernacle is now set off to the side of the altar.
It is no longer the focus of attention. The tabernacle should be in its rightful position, in the center of the Church, where the focus would be for all that enter the Church.
Bring back the tradition of kneeling and the placing on the tongue the sacred Eucharist. Kneeling before the Lord is the show of respect. Also, the Eucharist should not be “handed out”; it should be revered.
Priest should remind the faithful that the Eucharist is sacred and is the body of Christ. Receiving the Eucharist while wearing your favorite rock band T-shirt or football team jersey simply should not be acceptable.
If the above can be re-implemented it would help to remind the faithful that the the body of Christ should be adored and glorified.
William Carroll
Woodside
Coming Together
Dear Editor: This week St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor hosted an interfaith service in their Church.
They invited the local Jewish community to attend and in this way pray together and show solidarity and support.
Rabbi Rebecca Epstein from West End Temple attended and was on the altar joined by Father Bill Sweeney, the pastor, Msgr. John Bracken, a retired priest who helps out at the parish, and Father Jim Cunningham, the associate pastor.
This extending of a hand, in prayer and solidarity, is a wonderful example of what we need in our world right now.
I understand that after the prayer service there was a social where both groups could mingle and meet.
I would definitely call this faith in action and I congratulate Father Bill Sweeney and his parishioners for their outreach.
Maria F. Mastromarino
Manalapan, NJ
Home for the Holidays
Dear Editor: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah are upon us. It is a time of good friends, family, and a time of giving and sharing.
But it is also a time to show acts of kindness to those less fortunate in our communities. Think of donating and even volunteering to those faith-based groups and civic organizations that help the needy.
There are also food kitchens and food pantries and local churches and temples that need your help year round.
Here’s a thought: In your travels this holiday season, try smiling and saying a hello to those you meet and even in stores you go to.
Also try saying, “Have a nice day.” This will go a long way in spreading a wave of kindness and maybe making better communities.
Now I have another idea: When you get on a bus or train, try giving your seat to a senior citizen and those with disabilities.
By doing all this, maybe you might understand the reason for the season.
Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.
Bellerose, NY
Educated Sisters
Dear Editor: Having retired from St. John’s University after 57 years teaching and administration, I maintain a strong interest in the quality of Catholic education.
I recall, however, that in my youth of the 1940s and 1950s, Catholic education, especially at the primary and secondary levels, was frequently criticized as inferior because the nuns and brothers allegedly had weak teaching credentials.
However, even a casual reading of The Tablet’s weekly obituaries shows how well-educated our Catholic school teachers are.
Most have had at least one master’s degree and many have had two or more advanced degrees.
Catholic education is by no means inferior education, and the laity must continue to support it.
I, personally, will always be grateful to the Sisters of St. Joseph (St. Martin of Tours) and the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Bishop Loughlin) who provided my elementary school and high school education.
Joseph Anthony Giacalone
Smithtown, NY