E - Mail

Good column, Father Luke. For too long now, I believe most Catholics have remained quiet to the bombardments from the media. I recall hearing a Black Protestant minister on television one day during the scandals saying (paraphrasing here): "We all need to be concerned about how the media are treating the Catholics; because if they are successful in beating them down, the media will then go after the Protestants and other denominations." I always thought that was an interesting observation. Maybe that was caring for the wrong reason, but it was caring just the same, because we all are in this together after all. And defeat of one religious group is a defeat for all (of course, the Roman Catholic Church will not be defeated). By and large, though, I found surprises in some commentators at various stations who truly tried to be knowledgeable by asking sensible questions during the Papal transition. Their guests, many times, were also knowledgeable and responded accordingly. However, the media power is such that it needs to keep shifting gears to hold on to their viewers and they have that down to a science. So what am I saying here? Maybe it is time we write, e-mail, phone or whatever to let them know when they've crossed the line (not that they really care); but if enough people protest, they just may think about it. Even more than television media, is the power of the written word in newspapers and such. Once something is seen in print, it is almost forever remembered. I have e-mailed columnists (usually not Catholic) who seem to know just how the Church should be run and the decisions She should make. This, of course, needs to be done tactfully in spite of how you are feeling inside. There are times when we need to remain quiet, of course. But there are times too when we need to stand up to defend our faith and what we believe. For most of us, that can only be in small ways. So be it.

Dear Father Luke, thank you for today's most needed message. It is so difficult to sit back and listen to truth being distorted. My last message I made a suggestion regarding encountering others who do not know Church history and making decisions based on untruths. I suggested they read Church history by reading the Early Church Fathers. EWTN has a series of books calledf "The Faith of the Early Fathers" I realized that this might not work for many people, for one reason or another. So, would it be possible if the Friars could put together a mini Church time line and highlight the meat and the potatoes of our faith in order to entice others to pursure knowledge regarding our faith. Maybe at some point they can read the Catechism. I don't know how much time this would take, and maybe it is unrealistic. But, if something very simple is put together, it may trigger others to take that journey to learn the truth about our wonderful Church. I am sure we can make copies and share this information with our own parishes. Not everyone will want to take the time and start reading, especially, when it could be difficult to determine where to start. Education is everything. We have lost many people to other branches of our faith because of a lack of understanding and knowledge. This may well be the Springtime of our Church. Whatever resources we have as Catholics should be used to bring us together. This informantion may only bring in a "small crop" but it is a beginning. We have to get the information out there in any form we can. This website is such a blessing, thank you for all your hard work. Always in my prayers

Dear Sister Clare, It takes Faith and Grace to understand and to accept men only in the priesthood. We have been blessed to feel this peace. We need to pray for all those who want to change our religion like they change their hair styles, shoes, homes, cars, and sometimes even spouses. "In silence, God speaks all languages". In this busy world, few take the time to stop and listen. If they did, they would clearly have an understanding of many of the riches of our beautiful Catholic Faith.

Fr. Luke, Your comment on using 'right and wrong' in place of 'right and left' is so true. We as a people and nation are rapidly losing this sense! My prayers for the priests, brothers and sisters/nuns of your order to continue to bless us with your no-nonsense , preaching/teaching the truths of the Gospels!

April

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