Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 30, 2002
Letters
Reverence for the Eucharist
Contrary to the opinion of a letter writer in the Jan. 23 issue of the Register, I believe the primary purpose of Mass is the celebration of the holy Eucharist.
A secondary purpose of Mass is to worship as a community; it is not the most important reason for attendance. If one merely wants to participate in community worship, one could attend any Christian service. However, the Catholic doctrine of the holy Eucharist — that Jesus Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity, is truly physically present in the host after the consecration — is one of the primary tenets which distinguishes our Catholic religion from other Christian religions.
The atmosphere in many Catholic churches today shows a total indifference to this actual and true presence of Jesus Christ.
If the pope had celebrated Mass and was present on the altar people probably would not start socializing in the pews and aisles as they do when Mass has ended; nor would they dress as some do, as if they were going to a picnic or ball game. I'm sure the pope would be the first to state that his presence is nothing compared to the presence of Jesus Christ. Yet, most of us would give more respect to the pope than we currently give to the presence of God in the tabernacle under the disguise of the host.
I appreciate that the letter writer advises people to carry on their conversations outside the church in the hall or meeting rooms. I hope that others heed this advice because while some may want to greet others because they have just received the "Good News," there are those of us who want to pay our respects and give thanks because we have just received God in Communion. There is no compromising the respect and reverence which is due to God in the holy Eucharist in the tabernacle.
Rebecca J. Bennett
Denver
Be neighborly
Neighbors. It is a word that conjures up the merriment, happiness and fun associated with good friends. I recently chatted with a woman who I say "Hi" to occasionally but never really talk to. She said she didn't know many people in the neighborhood because everyone seemed to have their own lives and friends. She wanted to meet some people to get together with because she didn't have any friends.
My heart went out to her and I thought about how sad it is that some people don't have even one person in their life to lend them a helping hand or just to visit with. I thought about when I first moved here. It took me months to make some friends in the neighborhood.
The saddest part about this woman's story is that she is not new to the neighborhood. She has lived here for years, but no one has ever invited her to do anything, or accepted her invitation when she asked if they wanted to do something.
In light of the recent holiday season and all the terror that has affected our country, I encourage everyone to say "Hi" to one another, talk to one another, drink coffee with a neighbor or invite a neighbor for dinner at your house. Even if you don't know them — that's the point!
You can make a difference that you won't believe. You might even make a new friend. The woman I talked to could be your next-door neighbor.
Katie Mayer
Littleton
Enough about Potter
Regarding Harry Potter: may I be the first to say, "Move on already."
If we put everything under a microscope, rest assured we will find the bad or evil. Don't you think it's time we start looking for the good in everything and everyone? If we have learned nothing from Sept. 11, we must learn that fundamentalists — whether they are Catholic, Jewish, or Muslim — are dangerous. As parents our responsibility is to make decisions and choices we believe to be in the best interests of our children. That does not include throwing insults at others who do not make those same choices. Our call is to witness the love Jesus had for all. To serve God we must be tolerant and forgiving.
OK — so not everybody liked Harry. We will ultimately be judged by how we lived, the examples we set and the love we had for all of mankind, not whether or not we went to see a movie or read a book that not everyone thought to be worthwhile.
Sharon Ross
Aurora
Change of heart
Approximately 30 years ago I bought into the belief that a fetus was a mass of tissue (Roe vs. Wade time-frame). Since then technology has proved that the fetus ("little one" in Latin) is an unborn baby. Technology can even determine the sex of the baby very early in its development.
My views against abortion have changed from lukewarm to strong opposition toward an act that is akin to infanticide. There are over 1 million abortions in the United States every year.
No country deserves what happened to us on Sept. 11, 2001, and no country should be allowed to slaughter its babies.
There is justified public outrage over the loss of thousands due to the terrorist attacks, but sadly little public outrage over the loss of many more lives of aborted babies.
John R. Duick
Littleton
In gratitude
Thank you Archbishop Chaput for the check in the amount of $59,864.19 for the General Fund of The Society for the Propagation of the Faith from the people of Denver.
Asking God to continue to bless you in your mission endeavors.
Sincerely in the Lord,
Rev. John E. Kozar
National director
New York, N.Y.
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