Editorial

We supposedly live in an affluent nation. Most of you reading this editorial have enough food to eat. In fact, many of us are struggling to lose weight!

So it's difficult to understand that many people in our own communities go hungry. Yet, they live and work in our neighborhoods. They go to our churches.

These are people who must make difficult choices between food and other necessities. They have to decide to pay for food or utilities. Food or rent. Food or medicine.

Hunger in Wisconsin. A new study released by Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin provides a graphic snapshot of hunger in this part of the state. The study was part of a national Hunger in America 2005 study conducted for America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest organization of emergency food providers.

Here are three key points which emerged from the study about hunger in southwestern Wisconsin:

1. The food bank is serving 34 percent more people than in a previous study in 2001. An estimated 75,000 different individuals received food assistance in 2005, up from 56,000 in 2001. Thirty-six percent of those getting help were under 18 years of age. Sixty-nine percent of households had incomes below the federal poverty level. Forty-three percent of these households include at least one employed adult.

2. Many of those seeking help make difficult choices between food and other necessities. Forty-one percent have had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel. Thirty-one percent have had to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage. And twenty-seven percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.

3. Volunteers and faith-based organizations are vital to an effective emergency food distribution program. Sixty-nine percent of food pantries, sixty-three percent of kitchens and meal sites, and 16 percent of shelters are run by faith-based organization. The average emergency food provider has been operating for 20 years. But most of them face one or more problems that threatens their continued operation.

Eliminating hunger. As we reflect on these findings, we realize that we must all work to help eliminate hunger in our communities. People should NOT have to choose between food and other necessities of life.

Second Harvest Foodbank and other organizations are planning to meet the growing need. Catholics are aware that Catholic Charities is working to provide mobile food pantries staffed by parish volunteers. Society of St. Vincent de Paul councils operate food pantries and thrift stores throughout the Diocese of Madison to help the poor. The Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison also operates a food pantry. Many of our Catholic parishes are involved in outreach to the poor and hungry in our communities.

Please consider how you can provide food, money, or volunteer efforts to help the hungry in your community. Lent is a good time to start or increase the level of your support.

Mary C. Uhler

Mailbag

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Humans are endangered

To the editor:

Concerns for endangered species of plants, animals, birds, and fish has been discussed at many meetings across our nation for many years. Finally, in 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. This act provided severe penalties for destroying habitat, egg, nest, or life of the many species listed. Fines, jail terms, or both can be levied against violators.

The bald eagle is one case in point. If anyone is caught destroying a bald eagle egg, the penalty can be a $5000 fine, or a year in jail, or both. The reward to anyone reporting such a violation can be up to half the fine.

Meanwhile, in that same year, in the same city where our elected representatives were protecting life in our fields, forests, and streams, another branch of our government, in a split decision, decided it is legal to kill human babies anytime before they are born. Even though our Constitution guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Plants, birds, fish, and animals have a right to life, but babies, our own flesh and blood do not. How can this be? Something has gone terribly wrong.

This terrible wrong is created by legislating Supreme Court justices who impose their personal agendas on all of us. You have the power to right this wrong by watching how your senators voted on Supreme Court nominees. If you disagree with their stand, use the power and privilege to vote to change your senators. Our forefathers gave us the power to change what we don't like. Use that power to keep our U.S.A. the greatest country on earth.

Vince Metcalf, Montello

Dipping host is not allowed

To the editor:

The U.S. Bishops' appendix to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains, "When Communion is distributed under both kinds by intinction, the host is not placed in the hands of the communicants, nor may the communicants receive the host and dip it into the chalice." Only priests may dip His Sacred Body into His Precious Blood.

Almost weekly I witness the illicit act of self-intinction, sometimes even by the extraordinary ministers at the altar. Though they may have good intentions (to avoid spreading germs) and mean no disrespect, this practice risks spilling His Precious Blood and is an act of aggressively taking, rather than humbly receiving, the gift of the Eucharist.

The reception of the Eucharist under both species is a beautiful practice to be encouraged when reasonable to do so, but Sacramentali Communione states that Communion should also be received "with dignity, devotion, propriety, and the avoidance of the danger of irreverence." Those with real concerns for giving or receiving germs should opt for receiving the Eucharist only in the sign of bread.

George Schmitz, Madison

Admires Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

To the editor:

For the better part of a year I've been following the writing of Fr. Tad Pacholczyk on the issue of embryonic stem cell research. My first introduction to Father Tad was on C-SPAN I believe.What a mind this former "embryo" has become. I'm hoping I can attend his appearance in Madison on March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.

I have enjoyed the high level of thinking that he puts into language that this former "embryo" can follow.

Another part of this great feature, in the "Voices" column, is the need on our part to teach our families how to think and express ourselves as pro-lifers. He describes how to do it.

Don Eckert, Janesville

Kudos to St. Dennis School

To the editor:

Kudos to the students, staff, and families at St. Dennis School. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the variety of ways you celebrated Catholic Schools Week. You had some wonderful ideas and activities. I especially liked the idea of a "Wall of Honor" and evening prayer service.

Like many other Catholic schools, St. Dennis School really seems to exemplify character, compassion, and values. Keep up the good work; you will all make the future a brighter one. Congratulations to all involved in Catholic schools!

Tammy Benoy, Stoughton