Editorial

The 2000 census revealed that the number of Hispanics living in the United States had increased dramatically over the previous 10 years. The 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison also experienced a growth in the numbers of Hispanics: from 5,793 in 1990 to 26,724 in the year 2000.

Our society has been trying to meet the needs of these increasing numbers of Spanish-speaking people. Likewise, the Diocese of Madison and Catholic parishes are working to welcome Hispanics, provide services, and integrate them into our church communities.

Diocesan services. The Guadalupe Pastoral Center at the Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison offers a variety of services to Spanish-speaking people. The center's mission is to build the kingdom of God through the Eucharist, the word of God, and the sacraments, while at the same time celebrating the diversity of Latino culture. The center hopes to unite and welcome all members of the community and offer pastoral and social services that respond to the needs of the Hispanic people.

The center welcomes volunteers to serve as catechists and tutors in its programs. Those interested in helping may contact the Guadalupe Pastoral Center at 608-255-8471, the Office of Hispanic Ministry at 608-821-3086; or e-mail: hispanicministry@straphael.org

The Office of Hispanic Ministry also offers a Spanish Mass each Sunday at Holy Redeemer Parish in Madison and other sites throughout the diocese. Some special events marking the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Christmas are highlighted on Page 6 of this week's Catholic Herald [online here].

Many parishes are reaching out to Spanish-speaking people in their own communities. While not all parishes are able to offer Spanish or bilingual Masses, some parishes are incorporating Spanish prayers and songs into their liturgies.

Learn about traditions. On a personal level, we can all take time to learn more about the Hispanic feasts and traditions we share. For example, this week on December 9, we mark the feastday of St. Juan Diego, one of the church's newest saints. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Our Lady of Guadalupe revealed herself to this poor Aztec Indian on Dec. 9, 1531. Her image was imprinted miraculously on his tilma (cloak), which can still be seen in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

As the result of Our Lady's appearance to Juan Diego, over nine million indigenous people were converted to Christianity within the next 10 years in Mexico. Since then, Our Lady of Guadalupe has become known as the "Patroness of the Americas."

In researching the life of St. Juan Diego, I also discovered that he was devoted to the Eucharist. Juan Diego walked 14 miles to church on bare feet. By special permission of the bishop, he received Communion three times a week, highly unusual at that time. In canonizing Juan Diego, the pope praised him as a model of humility for all of us.

As we can see, Our Lady led Juan Diego to her Son, Jesus. In this Year of the Eucharist, we can learn from St. Juan Diego's example and pray for his intercession for greater devotion to the Eucharist. Let us also continue to reach out to the Spanish-speaking people in our churches and in our communities and welcome them in the spirit of St. Juan Diego.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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

Sanctity of life most
important issue

To the editor:

I'm writing in response to letters in the Mailbag in the Nov. 11 edition of the Catholic Herald such as "Church should not intrude" and "Economy influences abortion." What this wonderful paper did during this past election was to address a grave sickness that has permeated our nation and the whole world at large.

This nation has suffered great ills of the past such as slavery, no women's suffrage, child labor, and lack of civil rights, and now the worst of all injustices - the murdering of her children in the sanctity of the womb even up to the time of giving birth (partial birth).

Because of these past horrors of social injustice our nation could not move further along and become the greatest nation on earth. And now we are at the crossroads again. Many ills have affected our society in the past 31 years since Roe vs. Wade and we must learn from this mistake and do all we can to correct our past faults.

All the other issues of life are very important but none compare with the sanctity of human life at conception to natural death. In all of these past national dysfunctions history repeatedly tells the story. And I'm sure when and if Roe vs. Wade is overturned, history will probably accuse the churches in the United States for not acting sooner to stop the slaughter of 40-plus million children.

Although our Holy Father Pope John Paul II has tirelessly defended the sanctity of human life, his plead has fallen on deaf ears for many years. Those who are listening and creating difficulties for the Chair of Peter are the population control gurus at the United Nations.

I am very grateful and thank God that I live in a diocese where my shepherd has the courage to educate and inform the flock about the issues of life and its fundamental purpose. I believe this newspaper gave a fair and balanced response to educate its readers about the grave social issue that's destroying the fabric of this nation's soul.

Bill Brennan, Janesville

Don't use fearmongering tactics

To the editor:

After reading the letter in the Nov. 18 Mailbag ("Protect traditional marriage"), I am moved to respond. The letter writer lists the percentages of voters in many states who voted in favor of amending their state constitutions to ban gay marriage. This I accept as factual.

However, she goes on to write that legalizing gay marriage "will open the door to the legalization of group marriage, polygamy, bigamy, and incest." This information cannot be classified as factual. In fact the writer is using a tactic that could be termed fearmongering.

I feel it is unfair to attempt to scare people into voting against gay marriage. The theory that constitutionally banning same sex marriage will "protect" heterosexual marriage sounds suspiciously like prejudice against gay persons in general.

The idea of same sex marriage may offend a high percentage of people, but please don't say that legal gay marriages would inevitably lead to the spread of legal multi-partner unions and incest. And please don't say that gay marriages would jeopardize my or anyone else's heterosexual marriage. Don't hide prejudice behind high-minded doomsayings.

Micky Wherley, Sun Prairie

Hitler evil because not pro-life

To the editor:

In responding to my commentary in the Oct. 14 edition of the Catholic Herald, Mr. Joe Quandt of Madison, in a letter to the editor in the Nov. 11 edition, stated that I would have voted for Adolph Hitler had he been pro-life. I would like to point out that if Hitler had been pro-life, there would have been no holocaust. Hitler was evil precisely because he was not pro-life.

Marlen F. Junck, M.D., Stoughton