Love of Learning
How happy I was to see your reference to Alma Miller, R.S.C.J., in the editorial, The People’s Schools (9/18). It was a privilege to be both her student and a dear friend, with whom I corresponded weekly throughout her life. Mother Miller demanded and expected the best from us. In addition to receiving a marvelous education, I was given a love of learning that I have never lost. Her enthusiasm for knowledge was contagious. After 50 years I am still taking courses, reading and writing. I know that would please her.
Phyllis Townley
New York, N.Y.
Powerful Influence
I was thrilled to read Alarm Bells in the East, by Drew Christiansen, S.J., (9/11). What a wonderful idea to have the great peace agencies work together and make their influence felt throughout the world.
It might be good to bring in on such an effort the great peacemakers of our day, scattered throughout the religions and the countries of the world. Perhaps, too, the religious could be brought in to support this great effort. I have wondered, for example, about all the good the 150 or so communities of sisters and the many communities of men religious in Nairobi alone could do for Kenya if they collaborated more closely. How powerful an influence for world peace might be the religious of the world in support of the efforts of the agencies Father Christiansen mentions.
Oliver Blanchette, A.A.
Nairobi, Kenya
Hard to Acknowledge
I generally read the columns by John F. Kavanaugh, S.J., sometimes under duress and sometimes with agreement, but always with deep and critical interest. His recent column, Realistic Politics (9/25), was extremely significant and timely. And I assume it was written with a deep degree of disappointment and dismay. The feeling of betrayal by the Republican so-called pro-life crowd was profound and, I sense, perhaps a bit hard to acknowledge. What is important in this article is the recognition that pro-life cannot be simply or exhaustively defined by one’s position on abortion. While Father Kavanaugh correctly notes that the issue of war is critical to this question, he also indicates that the areas of health care, education and economic policies are also equally important in the Catholic social vision and cannot be dismissed in political discussions. I commend him for his essay and his integrity as well as his pledge not to waste another vote.
Thomas A. Shannon
Eagles Mere, Pa.
