Pope leaves positive impression

Pope Benedict XVI left a very positive impression on Americans of all faiths after his April 15 to 20 visit to the United States.

	Editor's View Mary C. Uhler

Media coverage was almost as impressive as that of Pope John Paul II's funeral. Catholic media - including EWTN and Relevant Radio - were expected to do an excellent job, and they did. But secular television, including FOX and CNN, also provided outstanding coverage and commentary.

All the news coverage helped the entire nation become better acquainted with our remarkable Holy Father. I was especially impressed at how energetic he was at age 81! He walked briskly, smiled often, looked people in the eye, and held hands with the people he met.

	Related article: • Special experience for seminarians

His words were thoughtful, encouraging, and positive. He praised the United States, its people, history, and faith. Yet he did not mince words. He criticized those who victimized children in the sexual abuse scandals. He warned Americans of the moral relativism and disregard for human life which are pervading our society. He urged Catholics to be united with Church teachings.

I think all Americans who encountered him in person or in the media will remember Pope Benedict XVI with respect and affection. When he speaks in the future, they will listen more attentively to his messages of faith, hope, and love.

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

Consider giving the gift of life through organ, tissue donation

To the editor:

During April, Monroe Clinic Pastoral Department staff members will join clergy and healthcare professionals across the country to observe National Donate Life Month. Together, the religious and transplant communities will support awareness of the humanitarian and compassionate gift given through organ and tissue donation.

Our healthcare mission joins all major faiths in the United States in support of organ and tissue donation as one of the highest expressions of generosity. Yet, a common reason given by families who choose not to donate a loved one's organs and tissues is "donation is against my religion." In fact, a Gallup poll showed that fewer than 10 percent of people in the United States are aware that their religions have doctrines regarding donation.

Beliefs differ from denomination to denomination, but the underlying theme is the same: Organ and tissue donation represents one of the highest forms of compassion and giving. These are basic principles upon which all religions are based.

During National Donate Life Month, we remember those families who suffered the loss of a loved one and yet gave the greatest gift of all, the gift of life. Thoughts and prayers focus on the thousands of men, women, and children who continue to wait desperately for needed organs and tissues to improve or save their lives.

With a national list of more than 87,000 men, women, and children waiting for the gift of life and thousands more waiting for a life-enhancing tissue or cornea transplant, it's time for all of us to participate in these educational celebrations of life and hope. If you have not already done so, please discuss organ and tissue donation with family members.

We join others in spreading the message that by giving of ourselves through organ and tissue donation, we give the gift of life.

If you have any questions, please call me at 608-324-1466.

Tom Chopp, M.Div.,
Monroe Clinic and Hospital, Monroe

Continue to encourage, pray for priestly vocations

To the editor:

Presently our diocese has 30 seminarians. And four priests will be ordained this year. This is good news.

On the other hand, only four who were ordained from 1989 to 1999 are serving as priests. This hurts. In addition a record number of priests have deservedly retired or are approaching retirement. So we need to continue to pray for and encourage priestly vocations.

In Matthew 9:36-38, we are reminded of this in these words, "At the sight of the crowd, Jesus' heart was moved with pity. For they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. So ask the master of the harvest to send laborers for his harvest.'"

Cardinal Roger Mahoney wrote that these words indicate that through prayer, Jesus wants us to share in the responsibility of providing shepherds for his people.

In Luke 11:9 it is stated that when we pray for something that God commands, we can be certain that when we ask . . . it shall be given to us.

Perhaps many of us cannot directly encourage priestly vocations. But maybe we can pray during Eucharistic Adoration or in other ways.

Fr. Don Lange,
pastor emeritus, Madison

Professor Kmiec should stick to legal analysis

To the editor:

Professor Douglas Kmiec, whose column you carry from time to time, is a long established scholar in constitutional law. I have particularly valued over many years his analysis of constitutional issues especially those regarding the religion clauses.

Consequently it is a disappointment to witness his recent debouches from his constitutional stronghold into what is clearly unfamiliar territory - national security/strategic/defense studies.

Perhaps this is inevitable when the scholar turns to punditry: one must address all issues. We have a surfeit of punditry, precious little of the analysis the scholar can provide.

My plea is that Professor Kmiec stand fast on the solid ground of constitutional law where we very much need him.

James M. Roherty, DeForest

Thanks for support for World Youth Day pilgrims

To the editor:

"Caritas Christi Urget Nos." Taken from 2nd Corinthians 5:14 - The Love of Christ Urges Us.

In the March 13, 2008 edition of the Catholic Herald, I wrote a piece about World Youth Day (WYD) and the excitement that is building around this event. I talked about how this could be a life changing moment for the seminarians, teens, and many young adults that will be making this pilgrimage.

I am happy to announce that since the publication of that article, a number of you have responded to my matching fund fundraiser. We have raised over $1,000 and counting. In case you did not read that article, this money will be used to offset the cost for all the pilgrims attending the WYD in Sydney, Australia.

I am still looking for people to match my $100 personal donation that I made on behalf of the pilgrims. You can either match half, $50, match the whole, $100, or, give more if you can. Make checks payable to "Diocese of Madison WYD 2008" and mail to WYD 2008, Attn: Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze, St. Joseph Parish, 405 South Dacotah Street, Dodgeville, WI 53533.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze,
St. Joseph Parish, Dodgeville

Likes article's emphasis on staying in touch with God

To the editor:

In the February 21, 2008 issue of the Catholic Herald, I read the article, "Are we deaf to God's word?" It was very interesting, because it tells about how people mostly think about the material things in life rather than what is really important. What is really important is staying in touch with God.

Jesus wants us to come to Him when we need to talk and He won't abandon us for anything. He and His Father also want us to trust Him in the times that we need Him most.

I liked this article very much because it says a lot about the people today. It says that people today think about only material things instead of God and trying to get closer to Him. I think that everyone should find a quiet place (like church or room) to pray to God and thank Him for the things He gave us.

Rosie Jaskolski, seventh grade,
St. John the Baptist School, Jefferson

Article shows importance of giving all year long

To the editor:

I understand Lent is a time of fasting, but according to an article in the Catholic Herald, it's also about giving back. The article talks about someone from Portage, Wis., who went on a missionary trip to Haiti. That person, just like everyone else, probably gave up something for Lent, too, but she understood it was about helping others and giving to others what they need.

Maybe we should be more like that person throughout the whole year, as if every day were a part of Lent. Jesus did great things like that all throughout his life, so why isn't it any different for us? After all, he told us to do his will.

Ryan Kraehnke, eighth grade,
St. John the Baptist School, Jefferson

He appreciates Bishop Morlino's message

To the editor:

Bishop Morlino talked to Catholic educators about being excited about Jesus Christ and how they face a lot of obstacles with people not wanting to go to church. Sometimes they get discouraged, but Bishop Morlino said, "We have sacramental grace and other grace."

Bishop Morlino is trying to get kids and even adults to get excited about Jesus Christ. Some adults and kids don't have time to go to church or they hear different things at home, like not to go to church. Bishop Morlino said, "If you worry about these things, we are one in that worry." He also talked about that to love Christ is to love the Church. So if you reject Christ, you are rejecting the Church.

It is nice to know that people are trying to get other people to come to church. I think Bishop Morlino is doing a good job on trying to get kids and parents to come to church.

Spencer Ashburn, eighth grade,
St. John the Baptist School, Jefferson