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Dear Editor: Some of the critical comments that have been expressed reo garding the historic Boston visit by Pope John Paul refer to the whyness of a Mass and the seemingly elaborate stage and altar for the celebration of Mass. Some .early cr-itics asked: "Why a Mass? Why not a speech from a simple platform?" Allow me to offer a few remarks that might. be apropos of this unprecedented visit. . First, why a Mass? Professionally the Pope is a priest, and according to ancient Judaeo- Christian tradition, the essential work of a priest is to offer sacrifice to God in r~paration for the sins of mankind. John Paul professionally performed his priestly celebration of Mass for us at Boston Common because this is the role for which he was divinely called. We are also taught that as the "Vicar of Christ" on Earth, he possesses the three messianic roles of: (1) teacher, (2) ruler (spiritual) and (3) priest, as did his religious Founder and Lord, ·.Jesus Christ. He performed his role as priest in celebrating Mass publicly at the Common. May God bless America by this historic papal visit. Long live our Holy Father John Paul II!
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Frank McCabe . ,
.7,..so\,lth.:Easto!l;
JlCl:pal Jloem Dear Editor: Was wondering if you could use this little poem I wrote in The Anchor: Dearest Holy Father Welcome to our land. That you'd pay us a visit We think is oh, so grand. Like that other' traveler Of old, known as St. Paul, Carrying God's message So far, 'to one and all. We love you, Holy Father, For you we s'ay a prayer. You've much to do for Jesus, For all people everywhere. God bless and keep you, . Father, As you travel on your way, Spreading peace and kindness Each and every day. Elizabeth Ward East Falmouth
lie's Trying Dear Editor: I have great respect for President Carter as a president. The country is fortunate indeed to have him in office. Considering the increasing violence, sarcasm, sex and selfishness in our country, I wonder if we'll be so lucky next year. That was quite. an attack you launched in your Aug. 23 column. The Anchor has many fine articles, including the remarkable Kenny column. The Mooring is interesting 'and cleverly written, but often not fair. President Carter has tried to keep the peace and offered positive suggestions in many areas,
including energy. Certainly, some of his suggestions are deIbatable, but at least he made an honest effort to do what was good for our country. I'm sure the same can be said of most of our politicians. John P. Laird Pocasset
'Yellow Journalism' Dear Editor: The biographical sketch of the pope in your Oct. 4 issue could have been useful and informative. However, its usefulness was completely destroyed by the malicious insertion of' "yellow journalism" on page 12. Twenty-eight lines, on his early pre"papal love life which your own article labels "rumor," "un~ substantiated" and "emphatically denied" by the Vatican. Also, the insidious innuendo in your reference to the pope's "teasing" remarks in Poland. All this makes a juicy tidbit of . "yellow journalism." Only i.9urnals and editors without honor or integrity resort to this practice. Decency, a high standard of editorial policy and integrity publish .only substantiated facts. Had I read this in a secular newspaper, I wou.ld have resented it. But reading it in The A'nchor nauseates and appalls. ,Mr. Editor, you reallY.owe your : ..reade'rs· an apology. . Frank J. Kozicki Marion
THE ANCHOROct. 25, 1979
Priestly 'Parents Dear Editor: Congratulations on the very excitirig vocations issue. The subject of vocations, or rather the lack of them, .has .often been the topic of our conversations with many couples.
We're going to ask ourselves questions such as: How often do we as parents speak to our children about priests or religious that we know? How often do we allow our children to experience priests as people-dinner guests or simply friendly visitors?
abilities of the dissenter are questioned. V\cars of Christ have sa~c tioned too many highly obj(!ctionable things in the past 20 Your statement in The Moorcenturies (my Church is painfully human) for me to swallow ing that "the impetus (for vocaDo we tell our kids how much every official teaching like an tions) must come from the kitchunchewed aspirin. eo table as well as the divine it means to go to Mass, receive ' the Eucharist or be reconciled We Christians can' be neither , table" has prodded this letter. to the Lord through' the actions democracy nor dictatorship, nor One quality profoundly a part of his human representatives? can' priests, including even the Holy 'Father, lay a unique claim of the priesthood is the ability Do we encourage youngsters toto holiness, intelligence, inspira- to' offer sacrifice. We believe wards a vocation? that parents can be priestly in tion; or common sense. We are determined to sacriour own .way when we say "no" Which one of us really knows and buck the peer pressure for . fice our own need for being all the answers? Let there be children's involvements in such "acceptable" and instead be honest disagreement, and also activities as hockey, cheerlead- "square" and share ourselves respect for the persons who care ing, band, etc. more openly with our kids, enough to' disagree. Let the their friends and their babysitWe can sacrifice our own ters. Editor of the Anchor listen not only to· the words of his Vicar needs for our children to be Thank you for the supplement. of Christ spoken at· Philadelphia popular or successful according It is wonderful to know that and Washington, but also to his to the world's standards and inaddress to the UN in New York. stead say a firm "yes" to the there are so many avenues to Pope John Paul's words must be call of our own vocation of explore right here in the diotaken together as a whole mes- matrimony - becoming a sup- cese. We~ll be saving it for sage; his coin has two sides. port to the possible call to the future reference. Neal and Anna Biron Anne-Marie Boucher priesthood or religious life on New Bedford the part of our kids. Norton
I
.Objections Dear Editor: I object to Mr. Michael Thomas's labeling of the action .of the women protesters' in Boston as "heinous" (Anchor, Oct. 11). That is a ridiculously strong term to use, considering the extent of what they actually did. I also object to his statement "that it is evident" that they are "dedicated to themselves and not to the Church." Where is the evidence? Has he spoken to them personally and asked about their actions and motivations? I would like to hear his reasons as well as his conclusion. He also says it is his opinion, based on his own judgment of these women's fidelity and reverence, that they should be removed from their ministries. Would he agree if we should decide to judge his display of Christian charity and suggest he be denied ordination? Finally I object to the insult contained in the Editor's Note which followed Mr. Robert McGowan's letter. Since when does the decree of any man, even of, the Pope, reduce the mentality and motivations of anyone to the status of a moot question? Only in military dictatorships where leaders are automatically right by virtue of their office is a dissenter made automatically wI:ong by virtue of his differences. There too in censored papers the issues he might have raised are ignored' and -instead the mental and/or moral cap-
5
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POPE)OHN B\UL n
.-.........ITED EDITION COLLECTORS PLATE Throughout America's historic events, pewter has been prized for its softly gleaming lustre and endur·' ing beauty. Thus, in commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul II, it is especially fitting that this exquisitely detailed plate be sculptured of fine pewter. This cherished keepsake will measure a full eight inches in diameter, with elegance to grace any table or mantle piece. _ Plates are also available which individually commemorate each city of this historic joumey, with city and date of visit engraved.
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