Category: Opinion

On
Kenneth R. Studinski

Why observing Divine Mercy Sunday is so special

To the editor:

This is in response to your Editor’s View piece in the April 24 issue, in particular the paragraphs headlined “Observing Divine Mercy Sunday.” Thank you for writing about it.

The first paragraph seems to indicate that there is some choice on the part of Pope Francis to observe Divine Mercy Sunday. My understanding is that Pope John Paul II made it part of our faith through a papal bull and thus infallible. Pope Francis’ choosing to canonize both new saints on Divine Mercy Sunday is because both are involved in Christ’s request that it be so.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Remembering mothers: On Mother’s Day and throughout the year

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

Mother’s Day is set aside to remember and honor all mothers. It is important that we recognize mothers on this Sunday, May 11.

As a mother myself and now a grandmother, I appreciate spending time with my children and grandchildren. The gift of time is probably more important than cards and gifts, but most mothers like to receive a small token of love from their children.

Many of us keep those special homemade cards and drawings we got through the years. I found some of them when we moved from our house to a condo last year and enjoyed sharing them with our now grown children.

But while Mother’s Day should be observed in some way, we should also remember mothers throughout the year. This is especially vital for our aging mothers, mothers-in-law, and grandparents. They especially cherish the time we can spend with them, including those who live in senior housing, assisted living, or nursing homes.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Two inspiring saints: They encourage us to spread Christ’s message in the world

Our two newest saints — St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II — have been inspirations in my life and the lives of many people in the last 50+ years. Their canonizations should help bring more attention to their lives and their influence on the Church and the world.

Influence of St. John XXIII

Pope John XXIII (now St. John XXIII) died in 1963, the year I entered Aquinas High School in La Crosse.  Despite his death, he had a profound impact on my high school years. That’s because during my daily religion classes we talked about what was happening at the Second Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII. We also studied the documents of the council, hot off the presses.

The one I remember most is Gaudium et Spes (“Joy and Hope”), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. This document touches on many of the challenges facing people in the modern world which we continue to face today: rapid change, an abundance of wealth and resources, discoveries in science and technology, advances in biology and psychology . . . the list goes on. This document is available in its entirety on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va) and is certainly worth reading today.

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Vince Metcalf

Pray that rights to life, liberty, and happiness will survive

To the editor:

We, the people of the United States of America, who profess to be Christians, are facing one of the greatest threats to our religious liberty since our forefathers included these God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence more than 200 years ago.

In a case now being heard before our U. S. Supreme Court, the constitutionality of the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate will be decided. This mandate demands that all hospitals and clinics providing health care must also do abortions on demand to all requests and that all drug-dispensing facilities must distribute contraceptive supplies.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

It’s more than one day: Pope Francis reminds us to continue to share Easter joy

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

In our fast-paced world, it seems as if one holiday is barely done and we’re starting to get ready for the next one on the horizon.

This is especially true in the greeting card sections of our stores. The Mother’s Day cards have been on display for a few weeks (even though Mother’s Day was a month away at the time), and the graduation cards are on the racks. Before we know it, the Halloween cards will be making their appearance!

We should have time to savor each special day in our lives and not be rushing past any of the religious or secular holidays.

Continue to celebrate Easter

However, Easter should be the definite exception to our quick celebrations. That’s because Easter is more than just one day, as Pope Francis reminded thousands of visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Monday. In fact, he told them to celebrate Easter all through the week — and beyond.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Can we watch an hour? Help preserve the holy places

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

It always makes me sad to read the Scripture passages telling how the apostles fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane just before Jesus’ arrest — not only once, but three times!

Jesus says to them, “Could you not watch one hour with me” (Mt. 26:40)? It doesn’t seem like much to ask of his disciples — who had traveled with him and were the primary teachers of his message — to stay awake by his side. However, the apostles were human. Jesus recognized their humanity when he added, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Unfortunately many of us aren’t always being vigilant about what is happening around us, especially when it comes to things that are impacting our faith and our Church.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Same-sex marriage: Why it should not be considered a ‘civil right’

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

In 2006, citizens in Wisconsin approved a “Marriage Protection Amendment” to the state Constitution by a “yes” vote of 59.4 percent of the voters.

Wisconsin voters upheld the definition of marriage as “one man and one woman.” The state’s Catholic bishops had encouraged citizens to protect this definition of marriage.  John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, commented in 2006, “In their votes . . . the people of Wisconsin reaffirmed their intention to preserve the one man, one woman institution of marriage in our state.”

Same-sex couples bring lawsuits

Now, over seven years later, there are four same-sex couples suing our governor and other public officials in an attempt to overturn Wisconsin’s amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage.

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Brenda Brown

Brain injuries represent ‘silent epidemic’ in U.S.

To the editor:

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those individuals, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.4 million are treated and released from an emergency department.

Despite the staggering numbers, brain injury is called the “silent epidemic” because public recognition and understanding remains extremely low. Consequently, the individuals who have sustained a brain injury are oftentimes misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and under-funded.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Crucial cases: Pray for justices to support freedom of conscience

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

This week the United State Supreme Court will be taking up some crucial cases involving freedom of conscience of employers in our country.

As Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, points out in his guest column in this week’s Catholic Herald, the court’s justices will be considering whether employers must provide health insurance for drugs and services they find morally objectionable under the Affordable Care Act.

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