Scout Camp Visit

Dear Editor: I want to sincerely thank The Tablet for covering Bishop Brennan’s recent visit to Ten Mile River Scout Camp (“Spirtual Summit,” July 26).

As the Director of Catholic Scouting and a former Scout myself, it was a true privilege to return to Camp Keowa with our Bishop and celebrate Mass with the Scouts.

The decision to cover this special moment reflects The Tablet’s deep commitment to telling the good stories — especially those involving our youth and the faith that guides them.

Your support helps highlight the importance of Catholic Scouting and the formation of young leaders.

Father Christopher Heanue
Pastor, St Joan of Arc

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Tragic Loss of Life in Midtown

Dear Editor: An alleged gunman, named Shane Tamura, traveled from Las Vegas, Nevada, to New York and killed innocent people.

Four people were killed, plus the shooter. One of the victims was offduty NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who was on the job for four years.

He had a wife and two children, with another one on the way. I find this evildoer quite appalling.

Now, there are those politicians who want to defund the police. Well, after yesterday, they should think better of that.

They should ask the wife of NYPD officer Islam if they should defund the police after she lost her husband and the father of her children.

Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.
Bellerose

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Catholic Media Award

Dear Editor: Congratulations to John Alexander for your writing award (“Best Analysis/Background/Round Up News Writing for “Catholics in Lebanon Are Caught in the Middle of War”) from the Catholic Media Association.

Well done!

Have a lovely, summery, ice-creamy month ahead and please keep those incisive and exceedingly well-written articles coming.

Beatrice Marmion
Flushing

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God Bless You, Sister Francis

Dear Editor: It’s amazing and incredible to know that someone reaches their 112th birthday celebration (“Oldest Sister in World Has Years of Wisdom with Dash of Humor,” May 31).

Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella of Long Island is blessed by living a long life, not because “God simply hasn’t yet called her home,” but it’s God who is showing the world that life is the most valuable gift to be treasured here on earth.

Most of us are afraid to be old and become helpless, but Sister Francis, being disabled with only one hand, proved that disability is not a weakness but only a reason to make us stronger and leave everything in God’s hands. Her mother taught her to be completely independent.

Surely, God rewarded Sister Francis with her long life, not only because of her remarkable religious service, but most of all her dedication as a great teacher among her students, imparting her God-given talent and knowledge in math and algebra.

She loved her students (enough) to be their spiritual mother.

Carmen C. Rodriguez
Rego Park