Editorial

November is traditionally observed as Family Month. It is also a time when we especially remember those who have died. In the Catholic Church, we start the month with All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2). Near the end of the month, of course, we celebrate Thanksgiving.

These feast days and holidays are intertwined. We all are part of a family. For some, the family is still intact. For others, many family members have died.

Death does not end life. Our Catholic faith reminds us that death does not sever our connection with life. It is continued in a new form. The faithful become part of the "communion of saints," joined with God.

This basic teaching of our faith is difficult to grasp. "This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description," says the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father's house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise: 'no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.'"

Remembering the dead. We have all lost loved ones: family members, cherished friends, neighbors, and co-workers. We remember them all year, but November is a special time to pray for them at Mass and in private prayer. And if possible, we can take time to visit the cemeteries where they are interred.

Events of Sept. 11. This year, after the tragic events of Sept. 11 and beyond, we should also remember those who have died as well as their families and friends. It is sad that many people do not even have a body to bury, which could help bring some semblance of closure to their mourning.

Prayer services and funerals have been held, but much healing remains. Our prayers and support continue to be important. These words from the Prayer of Commendation used at Catholic funerals might give us some inspiration. May they rest in peace.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

To the editor:

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

Tony Magliano's column on just war doctrine in The Catholic Herald of Oct. 18 is terribly inadequate as guidance to Catholics in trying to deal with the mass murders and devastation inflicted on innocent people on Sept. 11 and with the threat of further terrorism. He seems not to recognize that the first obligation of government is to protect the people and that the only way to protect the people from mass murdering terrorists who target innocent people is to bring the terrorists to justice -- and quickly.

I urge you, as a corrective to Magliano's piece, to arrange with the University of Notre Dame to publish an article by Professor Charles Rice from the University of Notre Dame Law School on the relevance and application of just war doctrine in the current situation.

Paul E. Menge, Middleton

Editor's note: An article detailing the use of the just war theory in fighting terrorism was published in the Sept. 20 issue of The Catholic Herald immediately following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. We will consider publishing other articles in future issues.

High school appreciates coverage
and bishop's participation

To the editor:

Thank you for the great coverage of Edgewood High School's Alumni Awards Liturgy and the Crusaders in the Community service day. We were honored and delighted that Bishop Bullock participated in the morning prayer service for the Crusaders in the Community and that he shared his words of challenge and encouragement with us.

While the Crusaders in the Community is the most visible witness to Christian service that Edgewood has, it is but one aspect of our ongoing commitment to serve Christ by serving others.

Dennis McKinley, interim president,
Edgewood High School, Madison

Readers comment on special edition
and new Catholic Herald website

To the editor:

Congratulations to all The Catholic Herald award winners. Your Oct. 25, 2001 edition was most interesting and informative. I've always enjoyed reading The Catholic Herald cover-to-cover. After this edition, I appreciate it even more.

Nelle H. Murphy, Madison

To the editor:

Congratulations to you and the entire staff for not only providing the outstanding newspaper, but now the terrific website! It's a valuable service that you provide for all of us in the Diocese.

Margarete Schels, Jefferson

To the publisher:

Just checking out your new website. It is very nice and is a great way to reach additional readers who, like me, do not have time to read a newspaper from front to back cover -- but who like to "scan" Catholic news on the internet.

Mark J. Endres, Madison

To the editor:

This is pretty exciting -- an online Catholic Herald! I would like to see a search function on the home page so that I could search for favorite columnists by name to see if any of his/her columns are posted.

Randi K. Huntsman, Madison