Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 23, 2002
Letters
Sobering statistics
Those of us who lived during the 60s are familiar with a song titled "Where Have all the Flowers Gone?" Today, a better title for a song might well be "Where Have all the Children Gone?"
A United Nations report states that 61 nations have fertility rates that fall beneath population replacement and the end is not in sight. As the result of decades of contraception, abortion, and the belief that we are an overpopulated world, European countries are experiencing a birth dearth far beyond what could have been imagined 50 years ago. They are failing to produce a population big enough to replace itself. Japan is in a worse state and we are not far behind.
Italy and Spain, supposedly Catholic countries, are raising children who know no sisters, no brothers and no cousins. There will be no aunts and uncles a generation from now.
The percentage of Japanese elderly (over 65) is expected to climb from 17 percent to 32 percent over the next 50 years. In Italy, the percentage of older Italians (65+) will grow from 18 percent to 35 percent.
Every year there are fewer workers supporting each retiree. Just a few years ago, in our own country, four workers were present to support each retired person. By the year 2020 there will be merely two. If it weren't for the high rate of immigration in this country we would be facing the European fate. As is, we are falling behind Europe by just a few years. The answer to this growing problem lies in the teaching of the Church as found in the encyclical "Humanae Vitae."
The use of artificial contraception has results few could foresee. Pope Paul VI did — from under-population to "conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality." For most of us his message has been realized too late and we are the poorer for it. Perhaps our hope now can be in the youth of our country who will learn from our mistakes and stop the collective suicide we have begun.
Barbara Martin
Fort Collins
Prayer to St. Joseph
For readers who fear future terrorist attacks and for the safety of their family I would like to offer to them an unfailing prayer of protection. It is a prayer to St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and patron of the universal Church.
"Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me."
This prayer was found in the 50th year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have faithfully said this prayer for many, many years and have experienced unfailing protection: On two occasions from potential fatal automobile accidents (escaped without a scratch) and on another occasion when my wife and I were caught in an undertow off the coast of Puerto Rico. Even though we are terrible swimmers we escaped being drowned.
How glorious is God's providence and how powerful is St. Joseph.
Joseph C. Evers, M.D.
McClean, Va.
Let's compromise
This is in response to the letter "Quiet please" in the Jan. 9 Register.
There is value in both of the following styles of worship: people who like to pray in the solitude of their church and people who are enjoying the companionship of fellow parishioners in a community celebration. Too often we forget that the purpose of Sunday Mass is to worship as a community — it is not me and God time. If it was just about me, then I could order the songs I wanted and babies wouldn't cry. However, since the Mass does not revolve around me, I come every Sunday, pledge my participation to the service and try to enjoy it — warts and all.
We try so hard to keep or draw people back to the Church that the last thing we need is the priest chasing them out. Here is my compromise suggestion for those who want quiet and those who want to socialize: use the proper church space for your activities. Greet one another with joy and enthusiasm, you have just received the Good News — but carry on long conversations in the halls or meeting rooms. Pray the rosary and meditate on the Gospel, speak to God — but in the side chapel in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
There is room for everyone in our Church — the word Catholic means "universal." If your church is small and has neither meeting space or a side chapel, then treat each other with mutual respect.
We do not live in a vacuum. There are people who are different from us — but different does not mean inferior. Let's learn from one another rather than force our opinions on others.
Sue White
Littleton
Don't fall for media hype
I was surprised to read such a positive review on the Harry Potter movie in the Nov. 21 Catholic Register, because of the characters' involvement in occultic and wiccan-style exercises in the book. William Schnoebelen, a former instructor of witchcraft, says the Harry Potter books definitely draw kids to witchcraft and the Potter characters execute satanic ceremony and technique as practiced today.
The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" says: "All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service, and have a supernatural power over others — even if this were for the sake of restoring their health, are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion" (2117). And Galatians 5:19-21 says: "Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idoltry, sorcery. ... "
As Catholic Christians I think we need to be more discerning about the latest media-hyped movies!
Marcia Driesbach
Denver
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