The Register at 109: May the good works continue

I was very pleased to read that the Denver Catholic Register celebrates its 109th anniversary this month. The commentary on its origin in 1900 as the Denver Catholic was quite interesting (March 11 Register), as was the tale of the crisis of 1913 in which the then-failing newspaper was rescued by the hard work and determination of Msgr. Matthew Smith.   It was fascinating to see how he founded the Register system of newspapers which in essence served as a central clearinghouse or news bureau.  I grew up in Wichita, Kan., where the Advance Register was apparently part of that system, too. 

I commend the current staff of the Denver Catholic Register for keeping readers apprised of timely news across the archdiocese and around the globe.  It was because of the Denver Catholic Register that I was able to read the text of Archbishop Chaput’s address to Air Force Academy cadets. I enjoyed his remarks and agree wholeheartedly with him that “Peace is the presence of justice.” The archbishop told the cadets that proper obedience to legitimate authority and the regulation of our own wants by imposing standards of self-sacrifice makes us individually and collectively a stronger people. Again, he is quite right.

I was a bit surprised to see the archbishop quote William Butler Yeats who described an Irish uprising as a “terrible beauty.”  However, it is clear that the shifting currents of  war and peace is like a swinging pendulum—and  the fact remains that each of us has a duty to give the nation—and God—our very best efforts at all times.  His closing remark was so appropriate:  “A life lived honorably always bears fruit in the souls of the people who follow us.”  It describes the “dedication to duty” that everyone has as a dedicated Christian—whether they be an Air Force cadet or a newspaper editor. May the good works continue on—and the good benefits will undoubtedly be felt by future generations.
 
James A. Marples
Longview, Texas