February is Catholic Press Month
Read the Catholic Herald every week, use it every day

Last year I received a letter which certainly brightened my day. It was from Lucy Parisi of Black Earth, an obviously dedicated reader of the Catholic Herald.

	Editor's View Mary C. Uhler

I had never met Lucy before I received her letter. But I think she may be typical of many loyal Catholic Herald readers. These are people who read our diocesan newspaper cover to cover each week. And more importantly, they act on what they read.

Letter from a reader

This is what Lucy said:

Dear Mary,

Just a quick note of appreciation for your role in the publication of the Catholic Herald. As editor, I'm sure you have strong influence re content. All I have to do is take time out to read it and I am certain to be kept informed and nourished as a Madison area Catholic.

This morning after reading this week's edition, I have sent off a request for a CD to support the Cistercian Nuns of Prairie du Sac, I sent my first check to Food for the Poor, wrote a note of congrats to Patrick Delaney - the list goes on.

Thanks, Mary. You are making a difference.

Sincerely,
Lucy Parisi

Putting faith into action

It is certainly gratifying to know that people enjoy reading the Catholic Herald. But it is even more gratifying to know that our readers are putting their faith into action.

Recently our diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development reported that Catholic Herald readers responded very generously to a diocesan collection advertised in the paper. I have also heard from other diocesan offices and organizations about positive responses from readers of the Catholic Herald.

Perhaps a highlight in 2007 was when a priest from Ghana appealed for help to buy a new truck for his ministry there. A reader responded immediately to purchase that truck!

Catholic Herald readers continue to amaze me!

I hope they will continue to read the recently redesigned Catholic Herald every week and use it every day.

Importance of Catholic Press Month

In February we observe Catholic Press Month across the United States and Canada. This is an opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of Catholic publications, including diocesan and national newspapers, magazines, books, and other media.

Now more than ever, we need the Catholic press to provide information about the Catholic faith and to help people put that faith into action in their daily lives.

Here are some ways the Catholic Herald tries to provide that guidance:

• "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 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! Keep on reading the paper each week and using it every day.

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 702 S. High Point Rd. Madison, WI 53719-3522 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

Blanket drive a success thanks
to many people

To the editor:

On behalf of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, my thanks go to the many donors, sponsors, and volunteers whose gifts and efforts made the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 16th Annual Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive a success.

Our recent bitter weather and ample snow stand in stark relief to the warm generosity of the thousands of caring people who donated new and gently used blankets and other bedding during January's last weekend. The items donors provided at local Shopko stores and at area churches during our Recycle the Warmth drive will help provide comfort for many Dane County neighbors in need.

We are still in the process of collecting blankets and other bedding items donated at 45 Dane County churches of many denominations. As we gather and sort those gifts, we know already that several thousand items have been donated. The goods that came our way during this drive - along with cash contributions donors made - should enable us to provide warm blankets and other bedding free to local people in need all year long.

Special thanks go to Shopko and its caring staff members who helped us mount this drive at Shopko's four Madison area stores. We're grateful, too, to media partners WISC-TV, My Madison TV, and radio stations the Pulse, the Tux, the Lake, and La Movida, all of which helped us get word out about the drive.

We also thank all the area religious congregations that took part. Through this drive their members' faith took a very tangible form - one that will offer warmth and comfort to the Dane County people in need who seek help from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Ralph Middlecamp, executive director
District Council of Madison Inc.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Conversation about civility in public square detracts
from other important issues

To the editor:

An encouraging discussion is taking place within American Catholicism today. One dimension of this discussion - there are many, of course - is found in two statements recently released to the public.

The first (November 2007) is "Catholic Call to Observe Civility in Public Debate" and the second (January 2008) "A Catholic Response to the 'Call for Civility'."

The issue which initially engaged the authors of both statements warrants attention, namely, what evidence do Catholics in public life afford of a Catholic conscience. But now there is a distraction. Civility has taken center stage. It must be granted that a "Call for Civility" has a preciousness about it that invites a reply.

Having just reread Newman's lecture on "Knowledge Viewed in Relation to Religious Duty" let me suggest that the matter of "civility" can be put in context quickly permitting the discussants to return to their important theme.

Cardinal Newman is trenchant in his portrayal of the Complete English Gentleman modeled on the Emperor Julian as mediated through Lord Shaftesbury. His point is that this is not the Christian Gentlemen on the Pauline model viz., "modesty is not humility," etc.

Memo to the discussants: Read the Newman lecture and get back on track; enough of trifles!

James M. Roherty, DeForest