“A Year of Protest” (In Focus, Jan. 1) was excellent overall, especially “Threats to Liberty, Both Religious and Civil.” My compliments to Mark Shea.
That said, I think that Shea “missed the mark” by trying to bring the tea party to his article on Occupy Wall Street, especially when he brings Ayn Rand into the picture.
I have been to many tea party events, and invariably they begin with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance; often have hymns and inspirational talks; the people are well-mannered; everyone gets a chance to speak without shouting; nobody defecates, curses or has sex in public. We are pro-economic growth through capitalism, pro-life and want governments that live within their means.
We believe that everyone should have the freedom to succeed if they work hard, with the government not choosing favorites.
I saw very little of this with the OWS crowd, despite the author’s attempts to downplay their gross behavior by saying that the OWS was “largely peaceful (though troubled at the fringes with some of the violence and seediness to be expected when a lot of unemployed, homeless, and disaffected people congregate in large numbers for months on end in public places).” Expected by whom?
— Dave Maxwell, Adrian, Mich.
Edifying articles
I just want to say how much I enjoyed Mark Shea’s articles on our Catholic view of time and history. They were very insightful and refreshing.
I have already recommended them to those closest to me. (You always want to share a good thing with those you care about.) Keep up the good work.
— Father James T. McCabe, Philadelphia, Pa.
Not the first native saint
I would like to mention an error in a brief about Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (“Blessed Kateri, Mother Cope to be saints,” Jan. 1). The brief stated she will be the first Native American saint. Have we forgotten St. Juan Diego, already a saint canonized by the Church and a Native American from the North American country of Mexico?
— Eric Myer, via email
Disturbing trend
Re: “Mass shift: Christmas Eve trumps day liturgy” (News Analysis, Dec. 25).
The section heading “A Protestant trend” within the article says it all: The waning emphasis on Sunday Mass is, indeed, a Protestant trend, and that by itself should be enough to convince people that the Mass is on Sunday for good reason.
It won’t, however, and the modern Catholic Church will continue to allow convenience to trump faith and tradition and the time comes when, in all practical matters, there is no difference between them (the Protestants) and us ... or has that already happened?
— Daniel Gorton, Concord, N.H.
Reverts, not converts
I’ve just enjoyed reading “Two American evangelists lay out action plan” (News Analysis, Jan. 8) about Ralph Martin and Curtis Martin being appointed to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. Thank you for publicizing this wonderful news!
I have a minor (yet important) correction to make to the piece. The article stated that both Curtis Martin and Jeff Cavins are converts to Catholicism. That is not correct. I personally know each of these men and their individual stories. They are both cradle Catholics who drifted away from the faith and then returned to the Catholic faith. They are more accurately called “reverts.” I think that difference is important to point out.
Thank you for keeping me in touch with the faith on a weekly basis. May God bless your endeavors for the coming year.
— Claudia Cangilla McAdam, via email
Editor’s note: You are correct. Thank you for the clarification.
Timely report
Re: “South Sudan progress report” (News Analysis, Jan. 8).
This was a timely article written by a knowledgeable world traveler. Father Robert Ippolito has opened our eyes to recognize sad situations elsewhere in the world.
— Jeanne Magri, via comments
Correction
Father Richard Rohrer’s name was misspelled in the Jan. 15 article “Post-abortive counseling can be a transformative experience for priests.” OSV regrets the error.
