Editorial

Sometimes our world may seem pretty dark. Every day we see and hear about violence, war, poverty, hunger, and destruction of human life in so many ways.

We also see evidence of declining moral values in our families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Sexual immorality, corruption, and scandals plaque our society. Our young find role models in movie stars, athletes, and rock stars whose own lives seem to be far from shining examples of moral living.

We could be discouraged by this darkness. However, we should take heart. Our Catholic faith is a beacon of light in this troubled world.

Light of faith. That light of faith shines in our lives in many ways: through reading Scripture, prayer, attending Mass, and studying about our faith.

One of the ways to learn more about our faith is through the Catholic press. There are more than 600 Catholic newspapers, magazines, and newsletters available in the United States and Canada. They are part of the Catholic Press Association (CPA).

During February, the CPA promotes the observance of Catholic Press Month. This year the Catholic Herald has decided to use the theme, "Enlighten Your Faith: Read the Catholic Herald." Our staff believes the Catholic Herald sheds a light on our faith in many ways.

The Catholic Herald sheds light. I hope Catholics will turn to the Catholic press to enlighten their faith. In the Diocese of Madison, our own Catholic Herald newspaper tries to shed light by providing news, features, and commentaries on important issues of the day.

Here are some ways the Catholic Herald tries to help you enlighten your faith:

• "Under the Gospel Book," the column by Bishop Robert C. Morlino, provides strong, clear teaching on issues of concern to Catholics today.

• Columns by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk on bioethics, John Huebscher on state legislative issues, and a variety of local and national columnists on current church and state issues all provide insightful, well-reasoned arguments.

• A weekly Scripture column offers reflections on the Sunday Scriptures and how they impact our everyday lives.

• "Question Corner" by Fr. John Dietzen answers questions from readers about church teachings in practical, down-to-earth words.

• Information on current radio and television programs and movies helps readers make informed listening and viewing choices.

• Profiles of saints provided by the Dead Theologians Society and a monthly Junior Saints section give excellent role models for youth and adults.

We hope our subscribers will read the paper "cover to cover" each week to enlighten their faith. We also encourage parishes to follow Bishop Morlino's request to make sure all parish members receive the Catholic Herald. At a cost of $20.16 a year, we think the Catholic Herald provides a lot of information and guidance at a bargain price.

Happy Catholic Press Month to all our readers!

Mary C. Uhler

Mailbag

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Marchers powerful witness
for pro-life movement

To the editor:

January 22 marked the 34th anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade, legalizing abortion from conception to birth. People who strive to promote respect for every person, be she/he an embryo, fetus, child, teenager, or adult will continue.

Do you know that the pro-life movement is the single largest social justice movement in our nation's history? No other movement has been able to gather the number of activists, year after year, to attend the annual March for Life, January 22, in Washington, D.C. These marches are a powerful witness of people who are actively advocating to restore the recognition of personhood to our pre-born sisters and brothers.

One could watch ETWN on January 22 to be inspired by the thousands of people, young and older, who were praying, marching, speaking, attending seminars and conferences on activism and other pro-life topics. I doubt if any other TV channel broadcast this remarkable, historical event, nor does any newspaper in this area have adequate coverage. May we who read these words be inspired to use our God given talents/gifts to do what we can to close abortion clinics ("mills," as mothers are injured and babies are deliberately killed).

Or will the following occur? "When the Nazis came to get the Communists, I was silent, because I was not a Communist. When they came to get the Socialists, I was silent. When they came to get the Catholics, I was silent. When they came to get the Jews, I was silent. And when they came to get me, there was no one left to speak" (variation on Pastor Martin Niemöller).

Sr. Rosalia Bauer, FSPA, R.N., Beloit

Bishops and Vatican call for end to the war in Iraq

To the editor:

Readers of the Herald in the past have touched on this paper's emphasis on abortion to the exclusion, at times, of some other very weighty moral issues, such as war, which seldom benefits anyone but leaves devastated lives in its wake.

Therefore, I was pleased to see reported by Catholic News Service, and online at the Catholic Herald last week, that our American bishops and the Vatican again are voicing an appeal to bring about an end to the war in Iraq. They speak in terms of "a grave moral concern" and of this war having serious "consequences" for our world.

There is a sense of urgency that bypasses politics, I believe, and it calls on people of all religions to take a stand and help our leaders find a way to end the war justly and soon.

John Murphy, Madison