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Letters to the Editor

Is LA’s new STEM university necessary? 

Donald Bentley • Jan 16, 2024

It seems that creating the Catholic Polytechnic University (CPU) in Los Angeles is duplicative of the fine STEM programs that already exist at local institutions where a Catholic can, to quote CPU’s mission, “promote the intersection of faith and science as seen through the lens of Catholic teachings.”

Loyola Marymount University is a fine Catholic institution of higher learning offering numerous degrees (some at the graduate level) in engineering, science, math, and technology.

And let us not forget the Catholic Newman Centers at the numerous local state and private universities and colleges that allow a Catholic to obtain polytechnic degrees while promoting a similar faith mission as presented by CPU’s founders. (The Cal Poly Pomona Newman Center was invaluable to me as a Catholic when I pursued my engineering degree in the 1970s.)

I wonder if the creation of this Catholic polytechnic school is not so much based upon a need for such an institution (for there really isn’t), but more on an ultra conservative agenda that the founders can’t find at local institutions, along with a resistance to interacting with others in the real world, both secular and multi-religious.

— Donald Bentley, La Puente

How the Holy Spirit works in Finland

Marilyn Boussaid • Jan 09, 2024
I was very impressed with the article about Finland’s new bishop, “A shepherd at the end of the world,” in the Dec. 29 issue of Angelus. In fact, it’s important to realize that Father Raimo Goyarrola Belda (now Bishop) has been in Finland for 17 years. What he has accomplished, by the grace of God, is remarkable. What struck me most is the ecumenical cooperation among Christian churches in this country of few Christians. Whether Orthodox, Lutheran, Catholic or other denominations, the Christians there share their churches so that Mass can be said “at least once a month in 25 cities where there’s no Catholic parish.” Their “collections are very small because the people don’t have money.” Yet the Church in Finland has grown from 7-8,000 Catholics (17 years ago) to 17-18,000 today. No doubt, Bishop Raimo Goyarrola’s enthusiasm for the New Evangelization, his love for the Finns, and his hard work had something to do with that, but it’s obvious also that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in Finland. Thank you for this beautiful story that captures how the energy of the Church is spreading in the world today. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

A catechetical moment with the ‘Gloria’

Father Tony Steinacker • Dec 19, 2023
In my 17 years of priesthood, I cannot tell you how many times on the first Sunday of Advent or Lent people would come up to me after Mass and say, “Father, you forgot the ‘Gloria,’ OK?” I wish I would have had the excellent article written by Mike Aquilina that I recently came across in the Dec. 15 issue of Angelus magazine. I am so thankful for this treasure of an article as it has been a tremendous gift to share with my parishioners this Advent season with its simple-to-follow explanation and practical application of the “Gloria.”  I look forward to reading more such timely pieces from your publication.  — Father Tony Steinacker, pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Huntington, Indiana

A second look at St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Michael Liccione, Ph.D. • Nov 06, 2023
I hope others are as grateful to Angelus as I am for the rich article on St. Thérèse in the Nov. 3 issue. My interest in her had never been lively because her cult, to which I was first exposed in parochial school, seemed so sentimental to me. Later I tried to read “The Story of a Soul” but didn't get far; my cynical self just couldn't resonate with such childlike trust, which struck me as wishful thinking. But now that I’ve read Father Cameron’s article, I am stunned by how painful St. Thérèse’s brief life was. I now see that her spirituality was anything but sentimental. The “Little Way” makes great sense to me as a wonderfully economical way to respond to suffering, overcome cynicism, and resist the temptation to nihilism. Well done! — Michael Liccione, Ph.D., Steubenville, Ohio

Generation isn’t everything

Stanley Booth • Oct 24, 2023
I’d like to see more of the kind of writing and illustrations from stories like Elise Italiano Ureneck’s Oct. 6 cover article, “Lost in our times.” But while it made for a great read, I’m not sure I agree with psychologist Jean Twenge’s assessment that “when you were born has a larger effect on your personality and attitudes than the family you were raised in.” There is no greater influence on a young person than the family they are raised in: their customs, what they’re fed, how they’re educated, the presence (or absence) of parents and siblings … these are all fundamental factors that shape people, more important than the “millennial” or “Gen Z” labels we like to give. — Stanley Booth, South LA

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

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