Opinion – Page 63 – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

To the editor:

Most of us are aware that there is a dichotomy of thought in our world concerning what determines the beginning of life. But is there an awareness that there is also a dichotomy of thought in the determination of what ends life?

Did you know that the use of neurological criteria to declare “brain death” was motivated by the desire to harvest the beating heart and other vital organs for transplantation and to remove life support from patients to keep from overcrowding intensive care units of hospitals?

Letters to the editor

On November 12, 2014

Jack Rogan

Veterans grateful to be able to visit war memorials

To the editor:

I really enjoyed the article about the VetsRoll very much. Mark and John Finnegan, with their mother Barbara present, received the Governor’s Certification of Appreciation for their great work at the November 7 annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the State Capitol in Madison.

Letters to the editor

On November 12, 2014

Francis J. Radisky

Story of three young organists is inspiring

To the editor:

The front page story of the October 30 issue really inspired me. These three children ages 14, 17, and 13 who are organists are just amazing.

Editorial

On November 12, 2014February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Tale of two dying persons

How sad it was to hear of the death of Brittany Maynard, the 29-year-old woman who ended her own life on November 1 using Oregon’s assisted suicide law.

Maynard suffered greatly from terminal brain cancer, and we can understand her wish to stop her pain and suffering.

More hopeful path

However, the story of another young person who is also facing death shows, I believe, a more hopeful way to face death.

A Catholic News Service article reported on Philip Johnson, a 30-year-old Catholic seminarian in the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C., who is facing the same disease as Maynard. He wrote a poignant essay in October responding to Maynard’s decision to end her own life.

Editorial

On November 5, 2014February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Remembering three special people

Over the years, I have observed that deaths often come in threes. Three people I know often die within just a few weeks of each other. This seems to happen especially with priests.

Whether this is a true phenomenon or not, a coincidence or not — people do seem to die in threes. As a believer in the Catholic faith, I wonder if it somehow has to do with the Trinity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This past week, it happened again. Three people of significance in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Madison died close together. They are Msgr. George Hastrich, who died on October 27; Dorothy Lepeska, who died on October 31; and Fr. George Horath, who died on November 2.

Editorial

On October 30, 2014February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

End of life: Deserves as much attention as the beginning

As we conclude the month of October — designated as Respect Life Month — it seems appropriate to reflect on end-of-life issues.

Doesn’t it seem that our society today pays much more attention to the beginning of life than the end of it? We get excited about the birth of a baby. We have baby showers, spend time getting the nursery decorated, and send out birth announcements when the baby is born. We buy cards and gifts for the new child.

Letters to the editor

On October 30, 2014

Greg Wagner

Vote to uphold sanctity of all human life

To the editor:

For 40 years, the grim reality of abortion has hidden in the shadows of euphemisms and double-speak. As such, we can walk into the voting booth and forget the horrible damage caused by abortion: damage, first and foremost to the baby, but also damage to the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of the mom.

How important is the sanctity of each human life? St. John Paul II tells us, “truly great must be the value of human life if the Son of God has taken it up and made it the instrument of the salvation of all humanity!” (from The Gospel of Life)

Letters to the editor

On October 30, 2014

Vincent Metcalf

‘Whatever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me’

Dear Editor,

Do you remember who said “Whatever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me?” He also said “Thou shalt not kill!” It was the same man that defined marriage as a covenant promise between one man and one woman, for better or for worse, until death do they part.

Letters to the editor

On October 30, 2014

Jane Tarrell

Pro-lifers fight for unborn and all human life

To the editor:

For all you pro-lifers out there, I have to empathize with your plight in the struggle for respect and gratitude for the time and energy you have devoted to the fight for the unborn AND anyone at any other stage of human life.

We’ve been ignored by churches and ministers who refused to acknowledge our efforts for 40+ years. Tony Magliano has spelled it out for us. We’re war mongers!

Editorial

On October 23, 2014February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Good timing: Catholic Charities Sunday focuses on strengthening, supporting families

Talk about good timing: we just watched the conclusion of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family and this weekend we will observe Catholic Charities Sunday in the Diocese of Madison.

The bishops and Pope Francis — along with a number of married couples and other observers — spent two weeks in Rome discussing pastoral challenges facing the family in the context of evangelization. They talked openly about many issues involving families today.

Final message of bishops

In their final message at the conclusion of the synod, the bishops said that we must remember to practice charity by being near “to those who are last, marginalized, poor, lonely, sick, strangers, and families in crisis.”

They reminded us of the Lord’s words, “It is more blessed to give them to receive” (Acts 20:35). They mentioned that Christians should give gifts of goods, fellowship, love, and mercy and be witnesses “to the truth, to light, and to the meaning of life.”