Author: Mary C. Uhler

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Mary C. Uhler

Pray, fast, learn, give: Operation Rice Bowl provides focus for Lent

editor's view by Mary C. Uhler

The 2010 movie Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts told the story of a woman’s search for enlightenment and self-fulfillment.

I never saw the movie, partly because a Catholic reviewer called it “spiritually barren.” This story — like so many in our culture today — seems to emphasize that we will find happiness by fulfilling our own needs, rather than by reaching out to others.

Pope’s Lenten message

In his 2011 Lenten message, Pope Benedict XVI alludes to that problem in our culture. He encourages people to let go of all traces of selfishness and self-centeredness by embracing the traditional Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer.

The Holy Father says, “For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor.”

Operation Rice Bowl

One way to carry out his message is by participating in Operation Rice Bowl, the annual Lenten program sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

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Mary C. Uhler

One way to save taxpayer dollars: Stop government funding of Planned Parenthood

editor's view by Mary C. Uhler

We’ve been hearing a great deal about our state and national budget woes and mounting deficits. I think if we encouraged all of us to come up with some concrete solutions, we could save money and still provide necessary services for our citizens.

In my opinion, one way we could save taxpayer dollars is to stop government funding of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). I’m not sure everyone is aware that PPFA is a billion dollar industry which annually receives over $360 million from federal and state funds in the form of grants and contracts.

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Mary C. Uhler

We can’t lose our hearts: We need compassion in dealing with severe budget restraints

editor's view by Mary C. Uhler

On my visits to Rome in previous years, I can remember seeing gypsies sitting on street corners in colorful but ragged clothes. Often women and children with sad faces would beg for us to put some coins in their cups.

I know the Roma or gypsies have been the subject of controversy. I’m sure they are considered nuisances by the citizens of Rome, who have tried to deport them to their countries of origin.

But whatever the situation, we should have compassion for them, especially for the children who have no control over who their parents are or where they are born. That’s why I was particularly disturbed to learn that four gypsy children burned to death on February 6 while sleeping in a makeshift shack on the outskirts of Rome.

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Mary C. Uhler

Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers

Editor's View by Mary C. UhlerWhat a game! What a victory! The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. The Lombardi Trophy returns to Titletown.

Like Packer fans everywhere, I was glued to my TV set on Sunday to watch a great football contest. I wore my Aaron Rodgers jersey, a gift from my husband for Christmas of 2009. I consider it my lucky jersey, since we won every playoff game when I wore it!

The reason I received that jersey was because I have had confidence in Aaron Rodgers since he took over the starting quarterback role from Brett Favre. While I liked Favre when he played for the Packers, I didn’t like the way he left the team. And then after playing for the Jets, Favre took a position with the Vikings as if to rub more salt on the wound. I decided it was time to give Rodgers a chance.

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Mary C. Uhler

Catholic press has ‘irreplaceable role’

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

The Catholic press has an irreplaceable role in forming Christian consciences and reflecting the Church’s viewpoint on contemporary issues.

That’s not just my idea. It is what Pope Benedict XVI said in remarks on November 26, 2010, to members of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies, an organization which represents 188 Catholic newspapers.

Despite the crisis in print media today, the Catholic newspaper still has a vital role to play in diocesan communications, the pope said in an article carried by Catholic News Service.

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Mary C. Uhler

Catholic schools: A+ for America

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

The United States of America owes a great debt of gratitude to Catholic schools. From the early days of our country, Catholic schools educated the immigrants in this land (along with even some of the Native Americans).

As our country became a nation, Catholic schools continued to provide an outstanding education in both faith and academics to all citizens. Catholic schools have a proud tradition which is carried on today.

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Mary C. Uhler

It is possible to change minds and hearts on abortion

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

A young woman walked through the first set of doors at Madison’s Planned Parenthood clinic to register. However, she kept looking back at a person praying on the sidewalk outside the building.

Minutes later, she walked out of Planned Parenthood without ever entering the waiting room, smiling as she left the parking lot in a red truck.

Laura Karlen of Madison’s new initiative, 365 Days for Life, reported this news on the very first day of the new program. Karlen believes a baby was saved that day, promising great things ahead through this new initiative.

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Mary C. Uhler

In aftermath of Tucson shooting: We must work for respect for life and civility in public discourse

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

We’ve all heard the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This saying was meant to convey the idea that people cannot really hurt you by what they say, only by what they do physically.

As we reflect this week on the mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that killed six people and wounded 14 others, we realize that both parts of that saying are true. Physical violence, of course, does cause harm. But words can also hurt people and perhaps lead to physical violence.

We don’t know the full story behind why the alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, decided to shoot U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords while she was meeting with some of her constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson.

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