Reviving the Queens College Newman Center
Dear Editor: What a pleasure to read this story (“Queens College Offers Welcoming Catholic Space to All Students,” Sept 30).
My parents, Carol Heiser and Joe Brostek, first met at the QC Newman Center in 1950.
I am so happy the center has been reinvigorated, thanks to club president, Madeline Liu. Another happy coincidence is that the chaplain, Father Jose Diaz, is pastor of Mary’s Nativity Church in Flushing.
I am a graduate of Mary’s Nativity grammar school, and my family were parishioners for many years.
God bless all the students, and may they find peace in the Newman Center.
Jeanne Altenau
Eastchester, NY
Asylum-Seekers Are More Than Migrants
Dear Editor: I find myself in shock reading The Tablet’s editorial (“Right to Shelter Not the Right Policy Now,” Oct. 14).
Its sentiment of securing the border to save the lives of future migrants is in direct contrast to Bishop DiMarzio’s article in the same edition (“Are We Providing Pathways or Obstacles for Today’s Migrants?”).
He refines the definition to “asylum-seekers,” pointing out how “legal migration is less like waiting in line and more like winning the lottery.”
He also notes “our national identity as a nation of immigrants, formed by immigrant families, and sustained by immigrants. As our country’s history shows, in diversity we find strength.”
Those who disagree: “Perhaps not based on factual analysis, but rather upon their fear about the changing racial character of our American population.”
President Biden said he had to put up some border wall, as the monies had already been earmarked and appropriated by Congress to do so, but he also said he did not believe this was the solution, and that lies with congressional action.
I believe Jesus was more interested in seeing us being merciful to those suffering and in need of compassion than in following the letter of the law, or following our own selfish needs and interests.
I have been a parishioner of St. Saviour for more than 76 years and presently serve as a lector and Eucharistic minister.
Tom Meany
Park Slope
Pray the Rosary
Dear Editor: Wars are a punishment for man’s sins.
Israel was attacked on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Hamas called for a day of Jihad on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
Doesn’t that tell us something?
We have no choice, but to pray the daily Rosary with our families.
God bless you.
Wanda Lucci
Gravesend
Concerning Trends
Dear Editor: Issues that should concern us all are evident everywhere you look.
Unlimited abortion is advocated even until the moment of birth, transgender philosophy is making its way into our school system, followed by gender mutilation, hormone therapy for minors, gender affirmation, and all of this without parental consent.
There was a time when a school could not dispense an aspirin without parental consent.
Catholics are targeted by the Department of Justice, and persecuted and smeared because of pro-life beliefs.
Parents who speak out at school board meetings are labeled as domestic terrorists by the same federal agency.
Meanwhile criminals are caught and released without bail, free to cause mayhem in our communities.
All of the above are supported by the Biden administration. They criminalize free speech by those they oppose and allow hate speech by members of their own party, such as members of the “Squad” who condemn Israel and advocate for the destruction of the Israeli state.
Sen. Charles Schumer has been quiet when it comes to discipline for his own caucus.
And now after the horrendous attacks by Hamas, you can clearly see the hate in our schools of higher learning, and still the Democratic Party tries to deflect and refuses to condemn the actions of these groups.
I think it is evident that the Democratic Party has abandoned Catholics, Jews, and all people of faith, in order to promote their radical agenda.
Lawrence Iancuki
Maspeth
Rest in Peace, Pete Panto
Dear Editor: Thank you for the story about Pietro “Pete” Panto (“Finally, a Headstone Marks Grave of the Dockworkers’ Champion,” Oct. 7).
As the daughter and granddaughter of longshoremen, I find it curious that I never heard of Pete Panto until last year.
That said, I am very happy his story has been revived.
His brave and selfless activism no doubt led to better, safer working conditions for men like my dad and grandfather and countless other relatives and neighbors who worked hard and provided for their families.
Thank you to Patsy Scotto for doing the right thing all those years ago, and thank you to Dr. Joseph Sciorra and Deacon John Heyer for making the headstone possible.
But my biggest gratitude is to Pete Panto for his bravery and for representing the best of Italian Americans.
Next time I visit my parents and grandparents at St. Charles Cemetery, I will be sure to pay my respects to him; rest in peace, Pete Panto!
Laura Eng
Carroll Gardens