Letters to the Editor

Submit a letter to the editor electronically | For our letter writing policy, click here

Massgoers should dress and act appropriately in house of God

I hope the work of John and Joan Scornaienchi on Church etiquette (April 7 issue of The Criterion) quickly spreads far and well.

With spring and summer approaching, I dread seeing men and women in shorts, and all the bare skin of teenage girls.

Do they truly believe they are in God’s house when they dress that way?

The action and reaction of some people when they receive the Eucharist makes one wonder if they realize what they are doing.

For just one hour a week, parishioners should be able to dress and act appropriately in the house of God.

-Dorothy Riley, Indianapolis

Church is wrong to get involved in immigration debate

The immigration issue that the Church has now involved itself in causes me to have great concern.

I have no trouble with the Catholic Church feeding or helping illegals up to a certain point. But now I have heard that an archbishop on the West Coast is encouraging almost an act violating the law. This makes me wonder what is going on.

The rally that took place in Indianapolis was not about being humane human beings—it was about the almighty dollar! Everything I hear is about the effect on the economy. Has anyone ever asked what businesses really pay illegals? Check roofing jobs or construction.

The Church needs to stay away from the marches. I know you will say it is not so, but the old saying is if it quacks like a duck then it must be a duck.

I know people who have waited and paid fees just to become citizens. If illegals are granted amnesty or work visas, then should the ones who have paid their way legally be entitled to get their money back?

The people who say that they only work the jobs that we as Americans won’t [work] are mostly from the business side of things or ones that do not struggle to make a living.

Just look at the CEO’s salary compared to regular workers; it is mind boggling. These are the same people who tell us that we won’t work, and that is why they need people to break our laws so that they can keep more money to themselves.

I feel that the Church needs to be putting pressure on Mexico’s government to do the right thing. Also, lean on all the corporations that laid off thousands of workers and moved to Mexico.

-Kerry Lenihan, Indianapolis

All-girls’ academy keeps memories alive

I read with interest the article in the March 31 issue concerning the efforts to preserve memories of the all-girls academies in Indianapolis of years gone by.

Many of the graduates of St. Agnes Academy have been actively striving to preserve those memories almost since the very day that the school closed its doors for the last time.

For about 30 years now, graduates of all classes of St. Agnes Academy get together for an all-class brunch usually held the first Sunday in June. For many years, this brunch was held at the Marriott on the near north side at Meridian Street and Fall Creek Drive. More recently, the event has been held at the Riviera Club, following Mass at the cathedral.

This annual tradition provides an opportunity for us to reunite with old friends and make new ones with the ladies of St. Agnes from other classes.

The relaxed atmosphere, sharing of memories—the marble stairs, class rings, uniforms and the beautiful chapel—and prayers for our living and departed sisters have provided a pleasant time for those alumni who join us year after year as well as the alumni who join us on special occasions. Many of our ladies use this annual brunch to round out their own class reunion events, or as part of their regular monthly or quarterly gatherings.

This year’s event will be held on June 4 at the Riviera Club. We extend a special welcome to the graduating classes of 1936, 1946, 1956 and 1966. Anyone who wishes to have additional information may contact me at 317-257-8886 or watch your church bulletin for more details.

-Patricia Douglass, Indianapolis
St. Agnes Academy, Class of 1968

Church must make sure to learn from abuse crisis

This letter is in response to the editorial by John Fink in the April 7 issue of The Criterion.

I’m outraged, angry, sad and dismayed that you still don’t understand. You just don’t get it. You blame the media.

Bishops, priests and well-educated people who knew better drag our Church through the gutter, and you blame the media.

Don’t you care about the abused people, especially children, the wonderful hard-working priests who have given their lives for the love of God, and for people like me that just can’t understand how it all happened?

I don’t believe I’ve ever been this angry. It hurts. It’s my Church, too.

We need to wake up, be accountable and make sure it doesn’t happen again. We need all the help we can get, including from the media.

-Sue Kosegi, Indianapolis

Story and columnist raise questions about conscience

In the March 24 issue of The Criterion, you published a Catholic News Service article where Sally Sobert implies that we should support the soldiers whether or not we believe in war. That is like saying we should support abortionists whether or not we believe in abortion, or support prostitutes whether or not we believe in prostitution.

Then in the March 31 issue, columnist Shirley Vogler Meister asks why some Americans oppose war. Perhaps it is because some people believe in the old religion (including Catholicism) that to intentionally take a human life is a mortal sin.

To put on a uniform with the intent of killing someone, or to support them, such as by paying income taxes, whether or not you succeed, is a mortal sin. Even if you confess your sin, if you intend to go on doing the same thing or think that if you had to do it over you would do the same, then you cannot be absolved. Whether you call it “self-defense” or “defending your way of life” or “collateral damage” or “execution” or “euthanasia” or “terminating a pregnancy,” it is still a mortal sin in your conscience.

Your only redemption would be if you have no conscience or there is no afterlife.

Then when you die, your slate would be wiped clean.

-Boleslaw Nowicki, Indianapolis