Readers respond to our print, web and social media posts
PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
Today I read a beautiful article in Maryknoll magazine (March/April 2018 issue) honoring Harry Florentine. No one can fill his shoes exactly, but his mission is very near to my own heart. I do something similar for several priests, some of whom I also have never met. In addition, in 2017 some of us in our area committed ourselves to daily prayer and sacrifice for all our priests, to support them in their priesthood, ministries, joys and trials. Where we can, we make individual contact just as Harry did and we are careful not to be intrusive, just to let them know we are praying for them. In turn some send us their prayer petitions. I do love and believe particularly in Maryknoll.
Joan Beauregard
Richmond, Texas
EVIL BREEDS VIOLENCE
People like Father John Dear, whose introduction to his latest book was excerpted in your March/April magazine, miss the point regarding violence in our society. Evil causes violence. Until evil is eradicated from this earth, violence will exist. It was evil that killed 6 million nonviolent Jews, and it took violence to eliminate that evil. Otherwise, the world would be a very different and much worse world today. It seems to me that Father John ought to come down from his lofty “digs” in New Mexico and get real. Stop attacking our institutions and set an example by being nonviolent, because getting arrested 80 times is a form of violence in itself. As to corporate greed, corporations are people and people are greedy. They exist just as priests, teachers, doctors, plumbers, lawyers, athletes and just about every other profession exists.
Chet Grygorcewicz
Trumbull, Connecticut
NO GUARANTEE
In response to the letter in the March/April edition of Maryknoll commenting on the article “Voices for Veronica” in the September/October issue, I would like to correct some misunderstandings. First of all, “Spanish” people are mentioned when it is clear that the reference is to Latin Americans. More importantly, though, the statement that “marrying” an American citizen apparently bestows citizenship on “illegal guys” is simply not true. What it does do is give the non-citizen the right to apply for permanent residency, a green card. U.S. immigration authorities employ a rigorous process involving many forms and documents before granting permanent residency. The U.S. citizen must promise in writing to support the non-citizen spouse financially for approximately 10 years. The immigrant can be denied a green card for a number of reasons.
It is often noted that our immigration system is broken. Our elected representatives have not been willing or able to fix it. It is important to understand that it can take 10, 15, even 20 years for a person to enter the United States legally, and there is no guarantee that permission will ever be given. Those who are fleeing from abject poverty and violence related to drugs and gangs cannot wait that long. Too often it is a matter of life or death. Crossing the border without documentation and getting a fake ID in order to work, support a family and contribute to society should be viewed with the eyes of Christ. Before we judge others, we should all ask ourselves what we would do in their situation in order to “be responsible” for ourselves and our families.
Patricia S. Garcia
Chesterfield, Missouri
OLD TREASURE
Recently I found a May 1961 copy of Maryknoll magazine in a thrift store. It was in tiptop condition. The feature story was Uganda’s first woman doctor. I was awed. And since I was but a 2-year-old when it was printed, I could not wait to read to find out if the magazine was still in existence. And, of course, it is! I signed up online.
Sharon Burr
Saint Louis, Missouri
MISS COLUMN
A while ago the opening “Good News” column, written by Father Robert Jalbert, was discontinued. These articles had been a standard feature of each issue for many years. When opening each issue of Maryknoll magazine, I found the smile of Father Jalbert brought joy to me even before reading the article. The magazine does not seem right without his contribution. If it would not be an imposition on Father Jalbert, could his column with his picture be brought back?
Jane Lynn Hornyak
Spokane Valley, Washington
Editor’s Note: Thank you for your kind comments. We, too, miss Father Jalbert’s words of wisdom. Father Jalbert’s new position as director of the Maryknoll Society’s Church Engagement Division, which does outreach and mission promotion in dioceses around the country, includes a fair amount of travel and other responsibilities that have superseded his writing role. He remains an advisor to the magazine, especially regarding our Partners in Mission column, and we hope to see his byline occasionally in these pages again in the future.
OUTPOURING OF LOVE
What a great article, “Our father is recognized,” in your January/February issue on the beatification of Father Stanley Rother. I recently had the opportunity of visiting Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, where he served. The trip was sponsored by Maryknoll. The outpouring of love from the people of Santiago Atitlán was remarkable. I was honored to serve at one of their Sunday Masses as a deacon and to visit the sick afterwards. I am still in awe by the people’s spirituality and their love for Father Stanley.
Miguel Pagan
Orlando, Florida
The editors invite Maryknoll Members to send us their views. Write to:
Members’ Memos
P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, N.Y. 10545-0302
Our e-mail address is: mklmag@maryknoll.org
Featured Image: Children perform a dance at Bui Chu orphanage in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. (Sean Sprague/Vietnam)
