Recognizing Joe From Queens
Dear Editor: While everyone was trying to cope with the COVID-19 lockdown this past year, you have to give a shout-out to Joe Caruana for the tremendous job he did and is still doing.
Joe was, and is still, handing out food along with his volunteers in his South Ozone Park Parish, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joe runs the Golden Age Club at the parish. He is the president of his neighborhood civic association of Ozone Park, Assistant Director of St. Teresa of Avila Food Pantry in South Ozone Park, and once a month runs the Commodity Community Care Food Pantry. He is also President of the Cloverdale Condominiums of Howard Beach.
Joe gets some food donations from the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, Eric Adams, who is running for mayor.
Many thanks to Joe and his volunteers who are continuing to feed the needy.
Mary Ann De Luca
Queens
Thank You, Bishop DiMarzio
Dear Editor: Thank you, Bishop DiMarzio, for your informative, inspiring, perceptive and encouraging article on the Eucharist (“Pastoral Letter on The Eucharist,” June 5)
Personally, it caused me to review my own relationship with God.
I would encourage all Catholics to take the time to read and digest your message.
It was the spiritual shot in the arm that we all need from time to time.
Francis Lodato
Two Different Approaches to Faith
Dear Editor: Although I know neither George Weigel nor Father Robert Lauder personally, I suspect that their positions on the issue of Pro-Life are ultimately the same. That said, their respective approaches to faith, as expressed in their columns in the May 22 issue of The Tablet, are startling in their differences.
Father Lauder’s treatment of the philosophy of faith-filled freedom eloquently grounds that freedom in the (daring) acceptance of God’s love. This is quite a challenge, but well worth the courage we must summon to achieve it. In stark contrast is Mr. Weigel’s now-familiar “attack, attack, attack” plan, with its usual, thundering denunciations of all, bishops and popes included, who dare to disagree with the approach as much as with the end result.
Which of these two alternatives seems more likely to persuade those struggling with the existential question of abortion? For myself, I prefer a joyful embrace of love-based belief to Inquisition.
Edward R. Dorney
Brooklyn
Denying Communion to Pro-Abortion Politicians
Dear Editor: I totally agree with George Weigel in his column regarding this matter (“A Most Unfortunate Roman Intervention,” May 22).
There should be no delay in the U.S. Bishops ruling concerning the reception of holy Communion by politicians who are in favor of abortion.
What is there to discuss? The Church is clear in its teaching regarding abortion. It is purely political to waver in the decision to delay this statement.
I fear that too many of our Church leaders are espousing Socialist, Marxist policies. To put it plainly, espousing abortion is against the teachings of Our Lord and Our Church.
It is equally so for the “ordinary faithful” and our mighty politicians — be they president, house speaker, governor, or other. I pray that the Bishop’s Conference finds the courage to stand up for the law of God.
Maureen McGroarty
New York
A Fan of Rev. Lauder’s Recommendations
Dear Editor: The past several weeks in his regular column Rev. Robert Lauder has written about the book by N.T. Wright “Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World.”
Last week, while browsing the ‘New Books’ section at the local public library (Hurrah! finally open again), I saw Wright’s book there. I checked it out, read it in a couple days, and was captivated by the author’s clear and insightful writing. This week I returned to the library and picked up his 2006 volume “Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense.” Even better! How concisely he describes the history of salvation through Judaism into Christianity. A great read for anyone, believer or not.
Thanks again, Father Lauder, for your reading suggestions; they are always welcome.
Msgr. Steven Ferrari
Woodside