December 2, 2009

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

On animals in heaven

I would like to comment on the Ask an Apologist’s answer to “Are there animals in heaven?” (Oct. 14 Denver Catholic Register) and make a couple of points.
First, contrary to his assertion otherwise, there is an implicit teaching of the Church about animals in heaven and it is clear.
Animals have a “natural end.” That means at death they are just no more. Quoting apologist James Cavanagh: “Animals are not in heaven because they are not rational and ... not immortal.”  I think that answered the question sufficiently without further need for speculation.
Secondly, bringing Peter Kreeft’s speculations into the argument did not support Cavanagh’s position but muddied it and introduced some ambivalence into the matter. The beatific vision is just that: complete happiness. Nothing else is needed—not our pets or anything else. The face-to-face with God is the state of perfect and complete, eternal happiness. 
Finally, man has only one end, a “supernatural end.” That means at death man goes on living because his soul is immortal. The supernatural end of man is the intuitive vision of God and eternal happiness is man’s ultimate end. Not so with animals which have a natural end.
Carmel Champagne
Centennial

Include singles

First, thank you for recognizing the situation with singles in the Church (“Overcoming ‘invisibility’ as a single in the Church”, Nov. 18 Denver Catholic Register) and bringing it to everyone’s attention.  I have a question, however.  There are singles—all ages, all situations—who serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist and ushers, but at least in my parish, I have never seen singles chosen to carry the gifts to the altar.  Often there is mom, dad and children, or even two married couples without children in attendance.
As active parish singles, we contribute financially, and in other ministries as well, but in this area ... never chosen, never honored.  Is there a reason for this, or is it just an oversight?  Sharing this honor with all parishioners could help make singles feel more a part of the parish, and the Mass.
D. A. Persichetti
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