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Letters to the Editor

Making microschools work for all 

Cheryl Ortega • Feb 28, 2023
For many years Catholic schools have faced significant enrollment loss. My parish school, with a capacity of 300, enrolls 86 students in TK-8. The idea of microschools presented in the Feb. 24 issue is a wonderful idea, regardless of total school numbers. Giving children the opportunity to be exposed to real-life curricula will serve them well.   However, this plan ignores the reality of offering a Catholic education to a broad spectrum of LA students, many of whom are immigrants or members of working-class families, who simply can’t afford the tuition. How about a plan to open these schools to all of our children and spend energy, creativity, and resources to make that affordable? A 300-seat school with 86 students is not the best use of the facility. Can we do better for our children? — Cheryl Ortega, Los Angeles

Wellness doesn’t have to be pricey

David Walter • Feb 13, 2023
In reference to the article “Medicine with meaning” in the Jan. 27 issue of Angelus, the author focuses a lot on more exotic (and expensive) forms of wellness rather than focusing on the simpler aspects of a person’s “whole lifestyle — their diet, work habits, stress, relationships, and physical activity,” as espoused by Dr. John W. Travis. Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we cannot neglect that aspect of our overall health. As for diet, the Standard American Diet (SAD) is an affront to God. We need to do a better job eating healthy and exercising more. This is something we all can do. — David Walter, Downey

A message for women and men

Joanna Ryder • Jan 31, 2023
I was a bit taken aback when I read the following quote from St. Pope Paul VI cited in Kathryn Jean Lopez’s piece, “A surprising messenger” in the Jan. 13 issue: “Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.” I think this is a rather heavy mantle to place on women. Yes, most women are natural nurturers, collaborators, and peacemakers, and do our best to use these qualities for the betterment of all, including teaching them to our children. But in today’s world of escalating violence and the subjugation of women, with most positions of power still in the hands of men, we could really use the partnership of enlightened men everywhere.  Saving the peace of the world is an all-hands-on-deck job! — Joanna Ryder, American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach

Beware of the wellness paradox

Doris Manriquez • Jan 31, 2023
I appreciated Elise Ureneck’s balanced and fair reporting on the wellness craze in her “Healing With Meaning” cover story for the Jan. 27 issue. I think that many of the trend’s goals are well-intentioned, including in Catholic circles. Today’s technology can make us more sedentary and stressed at the same time. But I think that when a movement focuses too much on the physical, it risks forgetting about the spiritual — and at great cost to younger generations.  — Doris Manriquez, Thousand Oaks

How Pope Benedict inspires me as an educator

Aaron DeLoera • Jan 17, 2023
Thank you for the special issue dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI and his impact on the world and Church.  As a Catholic school principal who works with families to nurture the faith of students through academics and faith formation, I can’t state how much of an influence Benedict has had on me. As Scott Hahn wrote in the issue, “his study of the sacred page was not simply an academic exercise. It informed his preaching, and it became a hallmark of his spiritual life.” This is evident in the way he writes. There is hidden poetry in his books that comes to life and is appreciated when one thinks of the immense love of Christ. Throughout his writings, Benedict had a keen awareness that the Lord is constantly seeking us to encounter his love, like one of my favorite quotes in his 2005 encyclical “Deus Caritas Est” (“God is Love”): “Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave.” I was happy to have our school discover the treasure that Benedict has been by making extra copies of the issue available to our students. I know it will inspire their minds and hearts to the love of Christ.  — Aaron DeLoera, principal, St. Bernard School, Bellflower

Gratitude for the return of ‘Don Camillo’

Nancy Kilbourn • Jan 17, 2023
Thank you for Msgr. Antall’s article on the “Don Camillo” series on AngelusNews.com. I discovered the books my first year in college and loved them. Time to find copies and read again. I had no idea about the author and what an interesting life he had.  — Nancy Kilbourn, Thousand Oaks

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