Editorial

How does a writer capture the essence of Pope John Paul II's remarkable 25 years as head of the Catholic Church? This issue of the Catholic Herald has attempted to highlight some of the special gifts the Holy Father has brought to the church and to the entire world.

During these past 25 years I have worked for the Catholic Herald, our newspaper has chronicled much of what the Holy Father has accomplished in his travels, speeches, and documents. Week after week, we've covered the pope and he has kept us busy!

Tremendous legacy. Pope John Paul II has left us a tremendous legacy. In reviewing what he has done in the past 25 years, I would point to these highlights:

• He has clarified church teachings, most notably by issuing the new Catechism of the Catholic Church.

• He has made tremendous strides in ecumenical relations, reaching out to people of all faiths. He visited a Jewish synagogue in Rome, prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, became the first pope to visit a mosque, and convened leaders of world religions for prayer meetings twice in Assisi.

• He continues to speak out on issues of peace and social justice. I admired his tenacity in opposing the recent war in Iraq. But he has also issued encyclicals and addressed economic and social justice issues such as the inequitable balance of rich and poor nations, the arms industry, and even the role of mass media.

• He has attacked the "culture of death" in our society and opposed abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, in vitro fertilization, cloning, and unethical scientific research. He has promoted the "culture of life" as a positive alternative.

Personal example of faith. Above all, Pope John Paul II has given us his personal example of deep faith in Jesus Christ. Anyone who sees the pope in person - or even on television - can't help but see that faith shine through him. That's perhaps why young people admire him: he's real.

The only time I've actually been in the presence of the Holy Father was in 1979. I attended the outdoor Mass celebrated by the Holy Father at Living History Farms in Des Moines, Iowa. What an awesome experience! The pope talked to over 300,000 people gathered on the hillside on a crisp autumn day. It reminded me of the Sermon on the Mount - 20th century style.

I'm sure the pope enjoyed this outdoor experience. He himself has written about finding the spirit of God in nature. In The Poetry of John Paul II, Roman Triptych Meditations (published by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2003), he writes: "The undulating wood slopes down to the rhythm of mountain streams. To me this rhythm is revealing You, the Eternal Word."

Just as nature points us to God, so, too, Pope John Paul II has pointed us the way to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through his preaching, teaching, and personal example of faith. Let us all pray for him in thanksgiving for all he has given us and in petition that God grant him continued strength of mind, body, and spirit in the years ahead.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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To the editor:

With regard to undocumented people in our midst [see Sept. 11 letter, Sept. 25 guest commentary and Oct. 9 letter], I, an American, have held many immigrants as they literally wept for love of their families and shared their stories.

Can Americans identify with eating beans 28 days a month? And who has been "blessed" when the grasshoppers and worms are abundant because it means more food on the table? Have we seen our children's bellies full of worms and dying of malnutrition? Have any of us experienced crossing a border, locked inside a sweltering semi? Or boarding a dilapidated boat with no food or water, crammed with other desperate people seeking the "land of opportunity" rather than the slow process of starvation?

Those who miraculously arrive, despite the circumstances, usually are not greeted with open arms. Rather, they are rejected, sent back, or placed in detention centers. Why? Certainly not because they are terrorists! Rather, they are hopeless people looking for a break.

Visit Mexico or Haiti - not on a luxury cruise but stay with people whose children are dying from malnutrition and have no medical care, shoes, toilets, refrigerator, and all the things we take for granted. Experience their generosity. Then come back and do as to others as they have done unto you.

Nancy Hibbard, Portage

Family appreciates support

To the editor:

It has now been a short, yet long four months since Mark Beals passed away. We wanted you to know that the support from community, friends, and family has continued to be a source of great comfort for us and has been greatly appreciated.

We now have a deck, thanks to neighbors and friends. This is a deck that Mark had planned to build and was not able to do so. Later this month we will have a garage built in the backyard with the help of family, neighbors, and friends. Again this is a structure that Mark had planned to build and was unable to do so. Like the deck this garage would not be possible without the help from others. For your reaching out we are grateful.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Clinton Community Bank and all who planned the Under the Watertower Fest. Clinton Community Bank organized the walk/run. The proceeds of the walk/run were given to our family in loving memory of Mark. We thank the sponsors for their dedication and hard work. We thank the friends, family, and neighbors who participated.

To each of you, whatever your part in our healing, we thank you. Your prayers are felt. Yet again God knew the best way to express his love to us, and He did it through you. Humbly we thank you.

Donna Beals and family, Clinton