Catholic Values
Dear Editor: I would like to highlight two sentences from As The Tablet Sees It: “Monumental Monday For the Nation” (Jan. 18).
“Let’s hope the Catholic vote can result in more Catholic values in Washington, D.C.” and “Trump has strong opinions, some of which oppose Catholic doctrine.”
In the same issue of The Tablet, Bishop DiMarzio, always a champion of immigrants, takes issue with Mr. Trump’s plans for indiscriminate deportations and presents thoughtful alternatives.
Pope Francis, in “Laudato Si’” and numerous other statements, highlights the urgency of action to care for our common home by fighting climate change. Mr. Trump believes that climate change is a hoax.
I prefer to live the values of Pope Francis and Bishop DiMarzio.
Thomas Hinchen
Windsor Terrace
A Teacher’s Response
Dear Editor: I taught in a Catholic school for many years and would like to respond to Luke Nawrocki (“The Positive Role of Catholic Education,” Nov. 30) who seems alarmed by President Donald Trump’s election.
Instilling Gospel values now, he says, “will be exceedingly more difficult.” Was he as a principal of a grammar school alarmed by the horrors of a voracious pro-abortion stance, a transgender crusade, the “loss” of thousands of children because of the open border, rabid opposition to school choice, surveilling of conservative Catholics, etc.?
Every single one of these is a blatant mockery of Gospel values and is not found in “Art of the Deal,” but in the former President Joe Biden administration, which almost destroyed our country.
President Trump’s victory is a blessing for all Americans, especially children.
Robert Polito
Woodhaven
Another Response to Father Perry
Dear Editor: After reading both letters regarding Father Michael Perry’s “Letter to God,” I have to say that the element everyone is missing is man’s free will.
I’m sure Father Perry is aware of it, and his letter is more of a wake-up call. In every instance, Father Perry cited that a man was responsible.
The war in Ukraine was begun by a dictator hungry for more land and power. The killing had to be done by one person to another.
God has no part in all of this except to watch and wait. Over and over, we see man’s inhumanity to man. Our free will gets us into this mess; it most certainly is not God’s fault.
To the man who said that St. Joseph suffered the most of the trio in Bethlehem, may I direct you to the cross and then to the woman standing beneath it. Enough said.
Maria F. Mastromarino
Manalapan NJ
Ode to Father John Fullum
Dear Editor: Fifty-four years ago, a newly ordained priest named John J. Fullum at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Brooklyn presided over the funeral Mass for my then 11-year-old brother Thomas.
Thomas was born with Hurlers syndrome, which ended his very fragile life at such a young age. Father Fullum was so kind and supportive of my parents and family back then, and I went on to serve as an altar boy for him starting in third grade.
Father Fullum, now in residence at Sacred Heart Parish in Glendale, blessed a newly installed grave marker for Thomas on an extremely cold and windy St. John’s Cemetery in Queens.
At age 84, Father Fullum recalled with vivid detail the events surrounding my brother’s death, and he again gave hope and inspiration to all family members present.
I thank God for Father Fullum and just wanted to publicly convey the heartfelt thanks of a grateful Kehoe family.
Kevin John Kehoe
Forest Hills