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Letters to the Editor

The real Michael Ladisa

Eve Ortiz • Sep 26, 2023
The article in the Sept. 22 issue on chaplain Michael Ladisa gave light to what I consider the “whole Michael.” We got to learn more about him not only as a chaplain but also as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We learned things about Michael that, because of his humility, he never shared with us, his fellow chaplains. Like how he rented a storage unit to keep reading materials and clothes for those being released from the jail, or how he and Monica took someone in that needed a home.  I am sure there are many more good things we will never know about Michael, but it’s OK because he left his mark everywhere he went. You brought out the real Michael, the sensitive Michael, the dedicated Michael, and the committed Michael in bringing Christ’s light to every individual he met. I was very moved with the article that I printed out several copies to pass out to anyone, not just chaplains. I believe his life needs to be shared and that is what you did for us. — Eve Ortiz, senior Catholic chaplain, Century Regional Detention Facility, Lynwood

A lesson learned for the synod?

Pat Esseff • Sep 26, 2023
In his Sept. 11 column on AngelusNews.com, “On the road to synodality,” Russell Shaw wrote that the minimum requirement for the Synod of Synodality should be “letting people say what they think rather than what someone else would like them to think.” His comment encourages me to say that had the Church leadership explored, incorporated, and yes, loved, the documents of the Second Vatican Council, then priestly vocations, religious communities, Mass attendance, belief in the Real Presence, transmitting faith to the youth, etc. would be a vibrant reality today. — Pat Esseff, Camarillo

Finding grace for a tortured artist

Marilyn Boussaid • Aug 29, 2023
Thank you so much for publishing the marvelous article by Elizabeth Lev about Henri Matisse and the rosary chapel in Vence, entitled “An atheist’s chapel in France.” As always, Lev has such a beautiful way with words when it comes to describing anything to do with art and art history. The story itself conveys such a profound sense of hope — the reader can’t help but desire, and hope for, the salvation of this wayward artist, Matisse, to whom God gave a great creative talent, a heavy cross, and a unique opportunity for redemption — and who poured his heart and soul and waning strength into the creation of this sacred space. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

Are large families welcome enough in church?

Stephanie Thigpen • Aug 28, 2023
I was sorry to read the Aug. 25 article by Faith Jablonski, “Parishes need to be more welcoming. They should start with large families,” on AngelusNews.com because it describes an unfortunate experience that has not been my family’s.  Our parish is a bit of a Disney World for young Catholic families: eight altar servers at each Mass, and any family with less than five children is considered a small one. In each pew, there’s a holy card that says something to the effect of “a quiet church is a dying church. We welcome your baby’s crying and are glad that you are here.” Still, as the mother of a disabled child, I hope that the Church can do a better job of listening to the voices of families trying their best to pass on the faith to their kids, especially in the pews on Sundays.  — Stephanie Thigpen, Stillwater, Minnesota

Barbie’s defense of equilibrium

Amparo Gonzalez • Aug 15, 2023
After watching Barbie in theaters, I was relieved to read Joe Joyce’s review in the Aug. 11 issue and appreciated that he detected a subtle truth revealed in it.  As Joyce pointed out, “Barbie” doesn’t declare a winner in the battle of the sexes. Instead, it deftly illustrates how “machismo” parodied by the film’s “Kens” is little more than a reaction to the harmful elements of feminism. In the creators’ parody, Ken is the compliment that Barbie needs to be a real woman. But by the end, the film cleverly makes the case that equilibrium, not domination, should prevail between the sexes. Neither men nor women have been created to be accessories for one another. Christianity has long proclaimed that men are men, and women are women: intrinsically different, but equal in dignity. — Amparo Gonzalez, Valencia

Men and the ‘forces from without’

Cristal Valtierra • Jul 31, 2023
I thought the quote from the great Romano Guardini in Greg Erlandson's article “From boys to men” in the July 14 issue perfectly described many of the issues at the root of problems in society today: “As long as men are unable to control themselves from within … they will inevitably be ‘organized’ by forces from without.” Our culture should be helping men and women embrace their God-given gifts and differences, not trying to erase or suppress them. Men are being encouraged to trade responsibility for self-indulgent, addictive distractions like video games and pornography. Modern trends like surrogate pregnancy, sex positivity, and the push for more gender-neutral spaces seem like signs of progress but are sad signs of a world that’s forgotten that families need fathers, not mere custodians. Thank you to Angelus for raising this important issue. — Cristal Valtierra, Northridge

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