The Need for Special Needs Ministry
Dear Editor: I believe that every deanery should have a special needs Mass once each month. I spent my career supporting people with special needs, and for the past five years or so, I have joined Father Joseph Gibino in his special needs Masses at Holy Trinity in Whitestone.
The spiritual needs of people with special needs have often been ignored or overlooked. We need to change this! Especially at this time in the history of our diocese when people with special needs need to be reassured of their importance in the life of the church.
Deacon John F. DeBiase
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Bayside
Appreciation for The Tablet
Dear Editor: I really appreciate The Tablet.
It is very interesting and keeps me well informed. I first started reading The Tablet when Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was suing Governor Cuomo. I was very thankful that he was not afraid to stand up to him. I wrote to The Tablet to cheer him on and encourage him because he showed great courage and persistence.
Since then, I especially appreciated the multiple stories about Mother Cabrini. I liked reading about how the Italians settled in New York City and made a major contribution in a wide variety of ways.
I also enjoyed the story in the February 26 Tablet titled “Iconic Treatment” and the weekly “Saint For Today.”
The columns written by George Weigel are particularly of interest to me because I find that he explains and clarifies some misconceptions and understandings that some folks have regarding the Catholic Church and its practice, doctrine, and tradition. He also writes very well with honesty, clarity, and understanding about Ukraine.
As a former New York City public school music teacher, I find the articles about Catholic schools make me appreciate their success. The Tablet articles inform me about the value of a Catholic school education, which makes me wish I had taught in them.
The Tablet newspaper is a reliable source of information that covers a wide variety of topics and news based on fact. Rather than sit on the internet to read the online Tablet, I prefer to have the paper in my hand and read it carefully and go through every page.
Thank you again for your work. I appreciate your efforts very much.
Stephanie Zito
Davenport, New York
The Threat of Biological Weapons
Dear Editor: If Russia introduces chemical and biological weapons in its attack on Ukraine, will that be the red line Russian President Vladimir Putin finally crosses? The use of chemical and biological weapons would change the entire picture. Something needs to be done to stop this tyrannical madman.
Diplomatic efforts have gone on for weeks to no avail. Putin’s “special military operation” was a front for deliberately staging an unprovoked attack on a peaceful nation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a brave man and a patriot who continues to rally his people to continue to fight to repel the invaders.
May God bless him, his troops, and the Ukrainian people as they continue the battle for their beloved nation.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
A Threat at The Border
Dear Editor: In a story in The Tablet (“One Migration Ruling Cheered by Bishops, While Another is Panned,” Page 28), Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso said, “So many people in this country … have accepted this conclusion that people who come across our southern border are a threat to us.”
I remember an article from just last year that said border patrol agents captured 800 criminals entering the state of Texas illegally, in only the first two months of 2021.
I would suggest reasons such as this are why people feel threatened. Allowing people to just enter the country without any background check helps make people feel threatened.
Edward J. Pisano
Brooklyn
Regarding George Weigel’s Recent Column
Dear Editor: George Weigel’s column “Liquid Catholicism and the German Synodal Path” (Feb. 19) refers to St. John Paul II’s definitive confirmation in 1994 that the Church is not authorized to ordain [women] to the diaconate, the priesthood, or the episcopate.
Firstly, I would posit that “definitive” statements are not infallible (ex Cathedra) statements and are subject to change after however many centuries: just peruse the pronouncements of numerous ecumenical councils in Church history.
Secondly, with the Church’s evolving and long-overdue appreciation of women’s roles in society and Church life, and considering that a woman (Mary) brought the actual body of Christ into the world, it is not really a radical departure to give women the role of bringing the sacramental body of Christ to their congregation.
John Kaseta
Chester, New York