Editorial

On Monday, March 11, Bishop William H. Bullock and I discussed how the world has changed six months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th. The Bishop believes we have found "new previously untapped inner resources to build a stronger America."

Besides the destruction in Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania, Bishop Bullock says he feels "each family has its own 'twin towers' struck by divorce, addiction, and economic reversals." His advice is to "apply these same basic principles to the rebuilding of family, parish, diocese, and worldwide church life."

Challenges on many fronts. In our society today we face challenges on many fronts. Almost daily we hear about violence throughout the world, from Afghanistan to Ireland to the Middle East. In our own country there continue to be murders, rapes, robberies, and suicides. As the Bishop points out, our own families suffer from many problems. Besides those he mentions, we know there are often conflicts, abuse, neglect, and lack of communication in our families.

How to cope. The world is indeed a frightening place. How do we cope? What can we do?

Bishop Bullock pointed out that Catholics can turn to their faith for sustenance and support. "We are a resilient people only because we have Christ to count on," he said, noting that Christ is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

God has given human beings free will. While some choose the path of evil, many others will choose to do good. As followers of Christ, we strive to overcome evil with good through prayer, sacrifice, and works of charity. We have seen many heroic acts since Sept. 11th. It gives us hope that good will indeed triumph over evil.

I invite our readers to tell us how their lives have changed since Sept. 11th and what we can do to help the world. Send your comments to: Mailbag, The Catholic Herald, P.O. Box 44985, Madison, WI 53744-4985; fax: 608-821-3071; or e-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

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 feel compelled to write in response to a letter in the Feb. 28 issue from Judy Wightman, responding to Amy Rottier, whose letter was printed in the Feb. 14 issue of The Catholic Herald.

Judy apparently feels that Amy is wrong in taking her kids to church because they should not be expected to sit still for an hour and they do not understand the Mass anyway. Amy says that she and her husband are attentive to their children and are trying to keep them behaved during Mass.

I think it is great that Amy takes her kids to church and they go as a family. There are too many people who don't like to take their kids to church because they are unable (or unwilling) to control their behavior. I have heard of many people who say they will start going to church when the kids are older. The problem is that these kids get to be about five years old, go to church, and are worse than the one-year-old because they have never been in a church and don't know how to act.

I agree that it is annoying when people take their kids to church and don't watch them or sit and play games with them during the service. But I have no problem being patient when I see someone making positive efforts.

I walked in the other night and my wife had our three-month-old baby on her lap. I could hear her talking quietly. I asked later what she was doing. She said, "He was saying his prayers."

He says his prayers every night (via my wife). Does a three-month-old baby understand? God does.

God understands Amy Rottier taking her kids to church. So do I. I will be patient with all the Amys out there. I will be and am one of them and I hope others are patient with us.

Paul Schulz, Wisconsin Dells

To the editor:

Regarding children in Mass: Way to go Amy Rottier! As a mother of an 18-month-old, I know it is hard to raise a Catholic child today. Intolerance at Mass, of all places, is unacceptable.

Judy Wightman found a solution for her family, but not for everyone. We all need time to nurture our individual relationship with Christ, but we also need time to worship as a married couple, and as a family.

What a wonderful gift to give a two-year-old: seeing her parents actively engaged in worship, working hard to make the Mass a part of her life.

As a Catholic community we have a duty to minister to parents, not to put them out of our sight or turn them away. You can do so much for a young family: Read Matthew 19:14 and remember that Jesus loves children.

Colleen O'Keeffe, Madison

To the editor:

I was appalled to read Fr. Peter Daly's recent article in the Catholic Herald titled "Children in Church."

Fr. Daly suggested that parents alternate attending Masses so that young children can be left at home and not cause disruption in church. This is insulting to all the parents who make an effort to attend Mass as a family.

Perhaps a more sensible solution would be for Fr. Daly to become more tolerant of young children in church. At St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, we have been blessed over the years by compassionate priests who welcomed families with pre-school age children.

I'm certain many of those children who are now young adults have a greater appreciation for church because of the wonderful priests they have fond memories of from their childhood.

Milly Babcock, Janesville/Milton