Kids Can Understand the World
Dear Editor: Being a 12-year-old and having a religious aspect in life is tough.
With your parents always talking about the horrible things going on in the world that they hear on the news, you feel almost helpless about the problems, and all you can do is sit and feel sorry for humanity.
Some children aren’t even exposed to those subjects that adults spend their time on. However, it’s important for children to understand what goes on in the world and to develop their own opinions and concepts that they can learn to rely on.
Therefore, I’ve grown to believe that it is important for a child like me to learn how to be near God in times of distress and to rely on his comforting presence.
But how did a kid like me decide to believe in this?
I’ve developed the philosophy that God does not purposefully let bad things happen to the world; we do.
Humans introduce bad things that, every day, diminish God’s presence in our everyday lives and that lead us to have less faith in him.
But how can a child like me simply understand such a big concept like this?
What kids need to do is focus on the good that can come out of a bad situation and do simple yet important things such as praying, helping others, attending church when possible, and trying to sin less.
To all the kids out there who feel ignored and helpless about life, just know that your childhood is what makes the biggest impact on how you decide to live out your adulthood.
So live it well. And to the adults out there, please understand that kids have the potential; they just need recognition.
So my advice to other kids out there is that, yes, sometimes the world is bad, but you can always be the one to change it and make it a better place.
Nicolette Alexa Tedesco
Little Neck
Editor’s note: Nicolette attends St Kevin Catholic Academy in Flushing.
Matrimonial Bliss for 15 Brides and Grooms
Dear Editor: What a blessing for all 15 couples (“Celebrating Love: 15 Local Couples Say ‘I Do’ in One Sacred Ceremony at St. Mary’s Winfield,” June 7) who were married together.
Vincent Maligno
Staten Island
Thank You, Bishop Brennan
Dear Editor: We would like to commend Bishop Robert Brennan for alerting Catholics to the recent assisted suicide bill which was passed in the State Assembly in April and recently passed in the State Senate (“Pro-Life Leaders in NY Contend With Fallout Over Passage of Suicide Bill,” June 14).
He reminded all Catholics that it is our duty to speak up in defense of life from conception to final death.
In today’s secular world, self-gratification and convenience dominate the thinking of so many people, sadly.
Furthermore, the very idea of assisted suicide violates the sacred Hippocratic oath all doctors take.
We urge all to contact Gov. Hochul’s office to voice your strong opposition to this bill and veto it now.
Thomas and Constance Dowd
Oakland Gardens
The Effects of an Immigration Deportation On the Church
Dear Editor: I pray and implore the leaders of the Catholic Church to speak out and flood the airwaves against the cruel policies directed at immigrants in this nation.
There is no doubt that Americans will agree that deporting violent criminals is important to our nation’s security and that eliminating perks afforded to illegal immigrants should be minimized by the government.
However, the ham-fisted approach the government is taking is unusually cruel, illegal, and unconstitutional in many cases.
Joseph Dugan
Marine Park