Happy to Be a Part of ‘Pulse of the Parish’
Dear Editor: The parishes in our diocese are made up of extraordinarily generous people who love God and their community.
Folks like these are the backbone of our parish, and everyone, including the pastors, depends on them for their steady, helpful contributions. The “Pulse of the Parish” segment on Currents News (“The Heartbeat of Faith: Currents News’ ‘Pulse Of the Parish’ Returns,” Story, Page 8) is a great way to recognize and honor their contribution to the spiritual and communal growth of the parish.
I was so happy to be contacted by Currents News to participate in the “Pulse of the Parish” segment by recognizing the incredible contribution that Sonia Cuchapin makes to the life of Holy Family Parish.
Father Sean Suckiel
Pastor of Holy Family, Fresh Meadows
The High Cost of Lives Lost by Abortion
Dear Editor: World War I saw 116,000 American soldiers die, World War II saw 400,000, the Korean War saw 36,000, Vietnam saw 58,000, the Persian Gulf saw 300, Afghanistan saw 2,400, and Iraq saw 4,600 — a total of 617,300 lost in war.
Without including the Civil War (620,000), that number combined with lives lost by Fentanyl — a war nevertheless — is less than the million abortions performed in 2023 alone.
Sequence, as in all things, is critical, as in “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” Wisdom says, “Charity begins at home, family/ citizen first.” Carl Jung, the world-famous psychiatrist, said, “When any nation forgets their God, invariably it declines.”
We should remember we are at war, with the lives of our youth and unborn at stake. We should not kill. It behooves us in the interest of the survival of our great nation to adhere to that and the other commands of the Creator as well.
May God bless America.
Thomas Cullinane
Bayside
Immigrants and the Catholic Church
Dear Editor: The other night, I was in Yonkers on a break from work. I stopped into Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church for a visit and to light a candle.
Instead of a visit, a Mass was just beginning. A Mass in Spanish. A Mass attended by mostly people of Mexican and Central American origin.
I decided to stay for the Mass and was truly humbled by what I witnessed, which I believe was a sign from God to confirm what I always believed to be right and true in today’s world.
The Mass was attended by the same people who have been demonized by certain politicians as “invaders” and “undesirables.” Instead what I saw was people who were there for the purpose of prayer, people who supported the Catholic Church with their faith and belief in God, and people who brought their children to attend Mass just like any other Catholic family.
The only difference was they did not look like me and, therefore, were not considered “true” Americans by some because of their language and their places of birth.
I prayed for this nation that we elect leaders on Nov. 5 who will seek to unite this nation and not divide us.
Joe Dugan
Marine Park
Praise for Catholic Schools
Dear Editor: When I received my copy of The Tablet and saw the insert about Catholic schools, I was compelled to write about my personal experience.
I would like to praise Catholic schools for their ongoing contribution to education and their role in ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the nation.
These fine schools produce students strongly dedicated to their families, and communities, and provide an intellectually stimulating environment, rich in spirituality, character, and moral development.
The teachers are dedicated to every child and try to bring out in them their hidden talents.
I hope all interested parents would look into their local Catholic school and take the first step in improving their children’s future.
Frederick Robert Bedell Jr. Bellerose
