Editorial

Sept. 11: Looking at past, present, future

What were you doing on Sept. 11, 2001? What will you be doing this year? What has happened in between? What lies ahead in the future?

These are questions to ponder as we prepare to observe the first anniversary of the Sept. 11th tragedies. I'm sure all of us remember where we were on Sept. 11, 2001. It will be etched in our memories, as individuals and as a nation.

Experience in Ireland. For me, it will never be forgotten. I was in Ireland on a trip with my mother-in-law and daughter. We went into a pub in Dublin and saw the first television broadcasts of the airplane crashing into the World Trade Center soon after it happened. My first thought was, "What kind of movie are they showing on TV?" I quickly learned it was not fiction but horrifying fact!

The Irish people offered sympathy and support to us American tourists. They impressed us, too, with their response in prayer. They turned to their faith immediately, praying publicly in pubs, hotels, and stores. I couldn't help thinking, "Was this happening in the United States, too?" I found out later that people prayed in their homes and churches, but there wasn't as much public prayer as we experienced in Ireland.

Commemorative events. What will we be doing on Sept. 11, 2002? There are many commemorative events planned in communities across our country, most notably in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. There will be television specials galore. Some plan to wear white on Sept. 11 and others say they won't drive cars (since oil seems to be a cause for conflict in the world).

For us as Catholics, Bishop William H. Bullock of Madison (see our centerpiece in this week's paper) wisely suggests we observe Sept. 11 in prayer, fasting, and giving alms to the poor. He invites people to join him at Mass on Sept. 11 at 12 noon at St. Raphael Cathedral in Madison. Or attend Mass in your parish and/or offer prayers in your home.

It's important that we honor the memory of those who died in the Sept. 11 tragedies, along with their families and friends who no doubt continue to grieve for them. We pray, too, for all those who volunteered at the disaster sites and those who continue to help heal the wounds of these events.

Look to the future. As we look to the future, many of us still feel fear about what could happen. When will the terrorists attack again, we wonder?

But we can't let our anxieties cripple our lives. We must move forward, acting with justice toward all people, loving even our enemies. Above all, we must pray for God's mercy and forgiveness in our broken world and ask him to help us build a better one.

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

Because of the recent scandal over the Pledge of Allegiance, I think we should pass a law in Congress changing the name of the country to "The United States of America, Under God" or maybe just "The United States Under God" for short. This would make things a lot clearer for everyone.

Earl Lee, Pittsburg, Kan.

Honoring, remembering victims
of tragedy

To the editor:

On Sept. 11 we honor, remember, and mourn the victims of the terrorist attacks of a year ago.

Their tragic deaths remind us that human life is a fragile precious gift of God. Each person killed was a family member whose death left throbbing wounds of pain in the hearts of loved ones and made some of us resolve to renew our appreciation of family and friends.

The attacks also helped us to realize the fragility of peace and the urgency of continuing to work towards that elusive goal.

Sept. 11 reminded us too that our true heroes are often ordinary persons who in a crisis do extraordinary things! They include firefighters, policemen, rescue workers, and others such as Fr. Mychal Judge, who died while giving last rites to a firefighter.

Immediately following the attacks there seemed to be renewed interest in religion and faith. Bishop William H. Bullock has urged us Catholics to participate in Mass, pray, fast, and witness to God as we serve the victims of the disaster. So let us make time to participate in Mass, a prayer service, or pray for healing, peace, and respect for human life as we near Sept. 11.

Fr. Don Lange, Ridgeway