In Wisconsin, we’ve been hearing a lot in the media these days about sex education. Our state Legislature is debating a bill which would overturn a law passed two years ago called the Healthy Youth Act.
That law required public schools that offer sex education to teach about proper use of contraceptives, among other things. The proposed new law, called the “Strong Communities . . . Healthy Kids Act,” would emphasize abstinence as the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy and disease.
Although I love spring, autumn is also a special time of the year. There are things I like about autumn, but there are things that bother me, too.
We live on a street lined with trees on both sides of the road. I enjoy watching the leaves on the trees change from green to yellow, gold, and red. What a beautiful sight!
But those leaves start falling from the trees, and that means lots of blowing and raking. We get our yard clear of leaves and pile them on the curb to be picked up, then we start again as more leaves fall. Of course, they don’t all fall at the same time. It’s frustrating when we think we’ve gotten the leaves all cleared and wake up the next morning to see the lawn full again — many of them having blown in from our neighbors’ yards.
A baby born on October 30 in the Philippines has been welcomed as one of the world’s symbolic “seven billionth” babies.
The Associated Press admitted that with all the babies born in the world on that day, it is impossible to pinpoint the arrival of the actual Baby Seven Billion. But the United Nations chose to mark Filipino Danica May Camacho as the symbolic seventh billion child. The parents and the baby were met by top United Nations officials in the Philippines, who presented the child with a small cake.
The birth of any child should be a happy occasion. However, the birth of Baby Seven Billion is being looked at as a cause for celebration by some and a reason for concern and even fear by others.
To the editor:
I was pleasantly surprised to find an article in the Catholic Herald that honored a science teacher, the late Joe Zaiman of Edgewood High School (October 20 issue, page 9).
I was taught in a Catholic school that there is no conflict between faith and science. In trying to spread this teaching, I like to point out that two of the greatest scientists of the 20th century were also Catholic priests.
To the editor:
As many of us know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Various groups are working hard to support scientific research of treatments and cures or to educate women about breast health, all in hopes of putting an end breast cancer. While the efforts of such groups have truly made a difference in so many lives, a piece of breast cancer awareness is greatly underplayed.
We should all become more aware of the toxic chemicals entering the environment that have serious consequences on human health, like cancer. In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published with the goal of raising awareness on this very topic. Shortly after her book was published, Rachel died of breast cancer.
To the editor:
I’ve just finished the Bishop Morlino’s article in the recent Catholic Herald titled “The beauty of our worship in the liturgy.”
What an excellent and complete definition of beauty! As an artist I often struggle with putting into words the reasons behind my art. And my lack of enthusiasm for all art, as if all art was automatically beautiful, and so should automatically have my enthusiastic support.
We all know that we will eventually face illness, disabilities, and death of our family members, friends, and ourselves. Despite the inevitability, it is difficult to think about and even more difficult to talk about issues involving sickness and dying.
Yet, these are issues we must confront and deal with — and our faith can provide a great deal of guidance and support. As we conclude Respect Life Month, we should remember that respect for life must encompass respect for the disabled, the elderly, the sick, and the dying.
To the editor:
I enjoyed Nancy Frazier O’ Brien’s article (October 13 issue) which was based on a recent talk by Msgr. Robert Panke, president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors.
Monsignor Panke stated, “Prayer is key to happy and healthy priests. A priest who prays at least 30 minutes a day “is less likely to be emotionally exhausted because Christ is feeding him.”
To the editor:
One million dollars a day in taxpayer funding! This is the amount that Planned Parenthood receives from the federal coffers. One million dollars a day! The net worth of this “non-profit” organization is reported to be $9.8 million; its CEO’s salary: $248,819!
It is Wisconsin’s largest abortion chain . . . and it is now under federal investigation. Thanks to a recently released 30-page analysis exposing Planned Parenthood’s misuse of federal funds, failure to report child sex abuse, willful disregard for state laws regulating abortion, and a number of other scandalous activities, the House Committee on Oversight and Investigation is calling for an accounting.
As we continue reflections during Respect Life Month, we should reflect on the standard of living in this country and how it impacts children and families.
We all need food, clothing, and shelter to live healthy, happy lives. Yet statistics show that 46.2 million Americans are living below the poverty line. That means that many families have to make hard choices as they face hunger and can’t afford housing or health care for themselves and their children.
