Hatred and Bigotry
Re “The Family Separation Crisis Reveals How Far We Are From a Just Immigration Policy” (Editorial, 7/9): The spirit of the editorial is spot on. Saying clearly that I agree with Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush on immigration policy is concrete and definite. What is not acceptable, for me, is to not stand, forthrightly and unswervingly, with those who are being maligned as my grandparents and parents were maligned not so long ago. I cannot support any immigration policy that is founded, in any way, on appeals to hatred and bigotry. I will not do it. I will oppose it with all my heart and soul, to my last breath.
Steve Magnotta
Moral Challenge
Re the editorial about separating families: A careful study of history can certainly go a long way toward understanding the present, but it is useless to justify the present. The moral challenge concerns the next choice we make, not the last.
Charles Erlinger
Public Education Today
Re “What Maria Montessori Knew,” by Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry (7/9): This is so pertinent in the context of public education today. I would like to hear what the author thinks of the Waldorf schools, a smaller, but active private school alternative that established itself in many U.S. communities during the 20th century. Its philosophy and teaching methodology, contrasting with Montessori in some, but not all, aspects, derives from the work of the German philosopher Rudolf Steiner.
Michael Basile
Spiritual Beauty
Re “Breathing New Life Into Liturgical Art,” by Dean Dettloff (7/9): Thank you for a wonderfully written article. Emmaus O’Herlihy’s art is very moving; it touches very deeply. I hope we can see more of it and that it is embraced by many for its deep human and spiritual beauty. Very inspirational.
Bill Stobbe
God’s Grace
Re “True Communion,” by Jacob Turnrose (7/9): What a beautiful tribute to who you are and to who you have allowed God’s grace to become within you. Your honesty to yourself is refreshing and life-giving. The more honest you were to what increasingly was stirring within you, the more life in the Spirit unfolded for you. The joy of faith and walking humbly with our God is that he never stops guiding us, if we only take the time to listen and follow his lead. He loves us all so much! Thank you very much for sharing.
Dr. Geraldine Kerr
Courageous Witness
Thank you for your courageous witness to the life-affirming, sustaining and transformative essence of salvational love. Godspeed!
Anne Danielson
The Truth Shall Make You Odd
Re “So Just Enter Already,” by Joe Hoover, S.J. (Of Many Things, 7/25): Many thanks for rhis poetic rendering of some blunt truths. The church so very much needs the dedicated service of young men (and women!) willing to “shake off their fears and follow Christ in unrelenting fashion” in consecrated life. Nowadays the choice to enter religious life is looked upon by many (some even in the church) with disdain. Yet those called to “take the plunge” and enter are embracing their personal truths. As the Catholic novelist Flannery O'Connor so glibly observed, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd.”
Raymond Maher, O.Carm.
Columbus, Ohio
How Much We Lost
Many thanks to Matt Malone, S.J., for his tribute to Bobby Kennedy (Of Many Things, 6/11), probably the most beautiful tribute to a public figure I’ve ever read. I was 19 when Bobby was killed and I was devastated.
The light truly went out for me that day and for a long time after. Reading the tribute I realize again how much we lost that day, how much his spirit is needed today, how much his light needs to shine in our present darkness.
Ruth Lux
Lidderdale, Iowa
