Lauding Bishop Loughlin
Dear Editor: I admire The Tablet for publishing the story titled “Study Finds Most Catholics View Climate Change as Serious Worry” (Dec. 17) and Bishop Loughlin High School for educating their students in a most meaningful way.
Care for creation should be everyone’s concern. Education about the Pope’s Laudato Si’ encyclical is crucial to help all of us do our part to preserve the environment now and for future generations.
Christine Nevin Meloro
Brooklyn Heights
A Universal Church
Dear Editor: As the events following the death of Pope Benedict XVI unfolded, I was pulled in as I watched with a feeling that I belonged. I watched as he was waked in a simple room in the monastery where he had retired to.
The Pope was then moved to St. Peter’s, where so many came to pay their respects. I felt connected to those crowds. They believed what I believed.
It was such a moving experience to feel so connected to perfect strangers all doing the same thing, for I, too, was praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict.
A scholar, a great theologian, and a man of God. And what an extraordinary act of humility to step down as Pope and remain silent.
May the Angels guide you to your heavenly home, good and faithful servant.
Maria Mastromarino
Manalapan, N.J.
On Spirituality and Religion
Dear Editor: Why is it that so much of Church doctrine revolves around man’s sinful nature rather than our divine nature? St. John’s first letter tells us, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
The Book of Genesis begins by telling us that God made man in His own image and likeness. I truly believe that if there were a greater emphasis on our divine nature, the Church would be in better shape.
Social justice begins with having a positive self-image and loving ourselves first. If we were constantly reminded that we are God’s children, and each and every other person is part of that same family of God, our very perception of who we are would change, as would our behavior.
When we identify with our divine nature, we begin to act in accordance with that nature.
The great sage Hillel commented, “Love thy neighbor as thyself. The rest is only commentary.”
Jerry Kuzniewski
Beechhurst
Our Lady of the Snows Epiphany Concert
Dear Editor: My wife, Eva, and our close friends attended a concert at Our Lady of the Snows on Sunday, Jan. 8. It was the kickoff of a number of events celebrating the 75 years of being a Catholic Parish serving the communities of Floral Park, Glen Oaks Village, and Bellerose.
The concert was led by music director Lisa Kelly. The music — played on the piano, harp, flute, cello, and violin — was enlightening and spiritually uplifting.
There was also a children’s choir, an adult choir, a Filipino choir, and an Indian choir. This concert will not soon be forgotten.
Thanks go to Father Kevin McBrien, pastor of Our Lady of the Snows, for this most enjoyable event.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose