Editorial

We often hear the phrase, "Necessity is the mother of invention." This saying could be applied to the ecumenical movement in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Since the terrorists' attacks on the United States, people of many different religious traditions -- not only in our country but around the world -- have come to understand and appreciate each other in new ways.

Common beliefs. The secular news media has focused attention on what separates various traditions, especially the Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths. But I think the Catholic press and other faith-based media have tried to help people increase their knowledge about other traditions and, in doing so, realize how much we have in common.

The world's major world religions believe in one God as our Father, which makes all his creatures brothers and sisters. As God's children, we should all work together for a common purpose: to bring about peace and harmony in the world.

Our common membership in one family under God led Pope John Paul II to gather representatives of many religions to a gathering in Assisi, Italy, last week to pray for peace. The Holy Father wanted to show the world that religious beliefs create solidarity, not conflict.

Praying for peace. More than 150 representatives of 11 world religions -- including nearly 30 Muslims -- joined the pope for a pilgrimage by train to Assisi to pray for peace and condemn the use of violence in the name of religion. "Men and women of different religious membership not only can work together, but in fact must commit themselves ever more to defending and promoting the effective recognition of human rights, an indispensable condition for an authentic and lasting peace," said the pope.

He asked people around the world to unite their prayers with the religious leaders in Assisi. "May Mary, the queen of peace, obtain for humanity the precious gift of peace and help us everywhere to be, like St. Francis, instruments of that peace that only God can give."

I remember visiting Assisi in October of 1996 as part of the Diocese of Madison's Golden Jubilee Pilgrimage. There was indeed a special feeling of peace permeating this little village where St. Francis and St. Clare (one of my patron saints) lived and worked.

Just as Francis and Clare spread Christ's message of love and peace so many centuries ago, we today must join our prayers with those of our Holy Father and believers of other faiths throughout the world in praying for unity and peace. The events of Sept. 11th may have necessitated our ecumenical outreach and efforts to work and pray together. Let's hope the momentum continues to build in the months and years ahead.

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

I am writing in regard to your articles in The Catholic Herald of Dec. 13, 2001, on multiculturalism in the church. Our society has been subjected to an overuse of the words diversity and multicultural. Recently I heard a person say that because of heavy immigration from Latin America, the U.S. will become a country of mestizos. In other words, diversity will die.

Capitalists lacking a sense of fair play and good will want to level the field so they can more easily get at resources and cheap labor the world over. They pay our churches money to settle people from all over the world into the U.S. We will become like a huge Israel with constant and endless conflict.

There should be no more illegal immigration to the U.S. and no more amnesties for illegal entry into the U.S. There should be at least a 10-year moratorium on legal immigration, refugees, and asylum seekers. After that immigration should be based on replacement levels at the U.S. population level in the year 2001.

Margaret Spangler, Janesville

Need more direction on life issues

To the editor:

I have been a Catholic for 60 years (all my life). I feel no growth going on in my life or in the lives of other Catholics around me. I feel this is because our priests and bishops are not addressing major life issues such as requirements of the Catholic faith, how to live good Christian lives, Catholic stands on abortion, TV, marriage, divorce, cheating, lying, and defining sins that are rampant in our society.

I also see a lack of direction when major issues face us, such as elections and needed lobbying to stop or pass certain legislation (most recently stem-cell research).

I think we can handle what it takes to be a good Catholic. If we can't stand for what Catholics hold dear, I don't think God sees us standing up for him. We desperately need guidance from our leaders.

Hal Joyce, Waunakee

Priest influenced his vocation

To the editor:

In early December I attended the funeral Mass for Fr. Lambert Marx. He was my pastor beginning from when I can remember until I was 16. I received my First Communion from him and he heard my first confession. Early on in my life, Fr. Marx instilled in me a great respect and devotion for the Eucharist, which he celebrated with great reverence and mystery. He taught me how to serve Mass and would come to the classrooms to teach us about the Ten Commandments and the seven sacraments.

I will never forget the precision with which he prepared himself for Mass, reverencing and placing on his vestments and tying the cincture just perfectly. The way he prayed the divine praises during Lent when we would have the Stations of the Cross and Benediction impressed me. No one could pray this prayer as well as he did. He made us really feel like we were praying and doing something special and mysterious.

Fr. Marx helped plant the seed of my vocation and I will be forever grateful for his example in my life. Blessed be God for this holy and wonderful priest.

Fr. Bart Timmerman, Sun Prairie

How to encourage church vocations

Editor's note: In the Jan. 17th issue of The Catholic Herald, we asked readers to tell us their opinions on encouraging church vocations. Here are some of their responses. If you would like to add your ideas to this discussion, write to: Vocation Comments, The Catholic Herald, P.O. Box 44985, Madison, WI 53744-4985; fax: 608-821-3071; e-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org. Please include your name and address.

Diocese hold Vocation Recruitment Fair

Perhaps the diocese could have a year Vocation Recruitment Fair in a large facility. The fair would have booths set up with representatives from many different religious orders disseminating information about their community and mission statement to prospective candidates of all ages.

Joan Hue, Sun Prairie

Prayer and education; spend day with priest, sister

First is daily prayer as individuals and families, including a Rosary said in a church before or after a Sunday Mass. Second is education. We need to know and love our faith. We should have lessons on vocations in our schools and CCD classes. How about having a grade school and high school student spend a day with a priest or sister to see what their life is all about?

Michael Ready, Watertown

Need prayer and action

Teach more on saints' lives and have children choose a saint they would like to follow and ask for intercessions. Pray the Litany of Saints.

Parents, relatives, priests, sisters, and teachers should cast out a hint to the children individually, asking, "Have you considered joining a religious order or becoming a priest?" How could young people think of a church vocation if it is never mentioned? Young people feel marriage is the only alternative. We need action as well as prayer.

Lucille Lindloff, Reedsburg