Author: Mary C. Uhler

On
Mary C. Uhler

She walked with a saint

editor's view by Mary C. Uhler

When she was a 13-year-old girl living in Belgium, Mariette Coffman walked in a procession behind a hearse carrying the remains of Fr. Damien de Veuster on May 3, 1936.

“I remember that the hearse was drawn by six white horses,” said Mariette. Father Damien’s remains were shipped from Hawaii, where the Belgian missionary had ministered to people with leprosy until he himself died of the disease. Mariette recalls that the ship landed in Antwerp and his remains were taken to Louvain, where he was buried.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler

The road to world peace starts with each one of us

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

We laugh when women running for beauty crowns are asked about their goals in life and they say, “World peace.” We think it sounds silly to wish for such a lofty goal. How could one person make such a difference in the world — and achieve world peace, no less?

But upon reflection, I don’t think it’s an unattainable goal. Each of us can do our part to work for world peace. And I believe it’s tied in with respecting life, something to ponder as we conclude October as Respect Life Month.

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler

Defend right to life by feeding the hungry

Editor's View by Mary C. UhlerSome people consider the “right to life” as dealing primarily with issues such as abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. However, respect for life from womb to tomb must include caring for the needs of people throughout that spectrum.

Pope Benedict XVI reminded us of this wider pro-life view in a message he wrote for World Food Day, observed on October 16 this year. His written message was addressed to Jacques Diouf, director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Read More
On
Mary C. Uhler

Remembering papal visit to the heartland

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

It doesn’t seem possible that it has been 30 years since Pope John Paul II made his historic visit to rural Des Moines, Iowa. As a young reporter, I was among nearly 350,000 people gathered on a hillside to welcome the Holy Father. It is an experience I’ll never forget.

As the pope celebrated Mass and preached to the throngs of people, it reminded me of what the Sermon on the Mount must have been like. I really felt the presence of Jesus in our midst that day in October of 1979.

Read More